How to Successfully Secure your U.S. Visa Application 

Traveling to the United States of America (USA) is a part of everyone’s bucketlists for its iconic landmarks, Broadway shows, and even international concerts. But before you can tick it off your list, you need to secure a U.S. Visa. 

If all the heartbreaking visa rejection stories others experience are proof, the application process is one of the strictest and most meticulous. You have to know the different visa categories, application procedures, and the most common challenges you may face to get a higher chance of receiving that approval stamp in your passport. 

Here's a guide to help you successfully get your U.S. Visa when you apply for one.

U.S. Visa Categories

There are two main types of U.S. Visas: non-immigrant and immigrant. It's important to know which type you're qualified to apply for, as each purpose of travel has a corresponding visa.

Non-immigrant U.S. Visas

The non-immigrant U.S. Visas are for those who want to enter the United States temporarily. Here are the most common non-immigrant visas: 

• Business (B-1) Visa. This is issued to people traveling to the U.S. for temporary business, such as conventions or conferences, negotiations, or estate planning.  

• Tourist (B-2) Visa. This is for recreational travelers who want to tour the U.S. or visit friends and relatives. This type is also the same Visa issued to people traveling to seek medical treatment. 

• Transit (C) Visa. This is for travelers seeking layover privileges. 

• Student (F-1 or M-1) Visa. This is for foreign citizens accepted and approved by an educational institution to come to the U.S. to study.

• Journalist and Media (I) Visa. This is issued specifically to foreign press and media practitioners.

• Exchange Visitor (J) Visa. This is for people who come to the U.S. to participate in exchange programs in education, arts, and sciences. 

• Temporary Employment Visas. These are petition-based Visas issued for people who wish to enter the U.S. for employment lasting a fixed period of time and are not considered permanent or indefinite. This includes the following professions: 

• Physicians or other specialty occupations (H-1B Visa) 

• Nurses traveling to areas short of health care professionals (H-1C Visa)

• Temporary agricultural worker (H-2A Visa) 

• Temporary non-agricultural worker (H-2B Visa)

• Trainee or special education visitor (H-3 Visa) 

• Intracompany transferee (L Visa)

• Individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement (O Visa)

• Individual or team athletes or members of an entertainment group (P-1 Visa)

• Artists or entertainers (P-2 & P-3 Visas) 

• International Cultural Exchange Program participant (Q-1 Visa)

Immigrant U.S. Visas

Meanwhile, immigrant visas are for those who want to migrate and live permanently in the U.S. It is further categorized into the following types, with the most common Visas as follows: 

• Immediate relative or family-sponsored

• Spouse of a U.S. citizen (IR1, CR1, or K-3 Visas) 

• Fiancé(e) who will marry a U.S. citizen and live in the U.S. (K-1 Visa) 

• Intercountry adoption of an orphan child by a U.S. citizen (IR2, IH3, IR4, or IH4 Visas)

• Certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4, F2A, or F2B Visas)

• Employer-sponsored 

• Employment—based immigrants, including priority workers, advanced degree holders, etc. (E1, E2, E3, EW3, C5, T5, R5, I5, or S Visas)

• Religious workers (SD or SR Visas)

• Others

• Diversity immigrants (DV Visa) 

• Returning residents (SB Visa) 

You may check the directory of Visa categories for more information about each non-immigrant and immigrant visa. 

If you still need to decide which visa category suits your travel purpose, you can use the U.S. Embassy's Visa Wizard. You need to answer a few questions, and it will identify a possible category for you.  

The Application Process

Once you’ve determined which visa to apply for, you can proceed to the *actual* application process. This guide will focus on B1/B2 U.S. Visa as an example.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to applying for a U.S. Visa as a tourist or business traveler.

1. Register at the U.S. Department of State’s website

Create an account at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. Doing this first step will make the following steps a lot easier because this is where you can schedule your interview, track your application status, and verify your payment.

If you’re traveling in a group, you may all register under one account. 

Non-immigrant visa applicants are encouraged to apply at least three months before the intended travel date.

2. Accomplish the DS-160 form online

B1/B2 visa applications require the submission of DS-160 form. Answer and complete the said form with only factual information. If there are details you need to verify first, save your application and get back to it once you’re ready. 

Note that this step will also require you to upload a 2x2 photo taken at least six months prior. The U.S. Embassy has required photo specifications, so make sure you follow these before you submit yours. 

There will be a 10-digit barcode number upon successful submission. Save and print the confirmation page for your future reference.

For the complete list of Visa forms, visit U.S. Visa Forms. 

3. Pay the visa application fee 

As of writing, non-immigrant visa fees start at U.S. $185 or PHP 10,160+ (as of July 12, 2023). This is a non-refundable fee, regardless of the result of your application. 

You can pay over-the-counter via RCBC, or online via PesoNet. Here’s a step-by-step guide to visa fee payment options: 

Over-the-counter payment via RCBC

1. Select the deposit slip that matches your visa application fee. For B1/B2 applications, download the $185 MRV fee here.

2. Download and print the deposit slip in advance. 

3. Bring the printout to any RCBC branch and pay for your fee before the indicated expiration date. 

Online payment via PesoNet

1. Access the Online Payment for PesoNet Customers page and generate an 8-digit reference number. It will be shown in Step 2 part of the page. 

2. Transfer payment using your preferred mobile banking app and input the following details: 

• Beneficiary: Business

• Bank Name: Citibank, N.A.

• Bank Identifier (if required): Swift = CITIPHMX or BRSTN = 010070017

• Account Name / Business Name: VFS Services Philippines Private Inc.

• Account Number: 77777777 + 8-digit reference (Example:77777777########)

• Remarks: MRV fee

Important reminder: Whatever payment method you choose, keep a copy of your bank or digital receipt. You will need your receipt number to schedule an appointment.

To know more about bank and payment options, visit the Pay My Visa Fee page.

4. Schedule your interview

After paying the application fee, access your U.S. Department of State account and schedule your interview appointment date. You’ll be asked to provide your personal data, MRV payment receipt number, the 10-digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page, and visa application details. 

Here’s a sample of what you should input if you’re a B1/B2 visa applicant: 

• Visa type: Non-immigrant visa

• Post: Manila

• Visa category: Business/Tourism 

• Visa class: B1/B2 

Once you submit the details above, there will be a calendar of available interview dates for you. Select a date and print out the confirmation email.

To know more about visa processing time and current wait times, visit the Appointment Wait Times page. 

5. Prepare the required and supporting documents 

Each visa type has a different set of requirements. Applicants must submit original copies of each document, unless stated otherwise, to verify strong country ties and financial capacity. 

For B1/B2 visa applicants, here’s the list of general requirements and supporting documents you need to prepare and bring on the day of the interview: 

General requirements

• Passport with at least six (6) months validity

• Accomplished DS-160 form

• Visa fee payment receipt 

• Interview appointment confirmation email 

• One (1) 2x2 photo on white background

Supporting documents

• Income tax return

• Certificate of employment

• Bank certificate

• Sample itinerary 

For a detailed list of supporting documents based on the purpose of travel, visit the Business/Tourist Visa Supporting Documents page.

6. Attend your interview

The interview will be conducted at the U.S. Embassy along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. Dress appropriately. Review the files you submitted. Answer questions as truthfully as you possibly can. 

Experienced travelers emphasize three important points that U.S. consuls want to prove during your interview: 

• Your strong home ties in the Philippines 

• Your true intent for travel 

• The consistency of your answers in your application form 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for U.S. Visa Applications

Still uneasy about your application? We’ll try to answer a few common questions U.S. Visa applicants ask here. 

1. What are the common reasons for U.S. visa rejection?

You’ll be notified of your visa status by the end of the interview. If denied, the consul officer will provide a reason. According to experienced travelers, the most common causes of visa rejection are: 

• Incomplete application or supporting documentation

• Lack of ties to the home country

• Wrong visa category

• Giving inaccurate or too much information 

• Being too assertive or disrespectful to the interviewer 

2. Will I automatically be denied as a tourist if I have a pending, ongoing immigrant petition? 

No, having an ongoing immigrant visa petition doesn’t automatically mean automatic rejection. Like all visa applications, there’s always a possibility for your visa to be approved if you are able to provide the necessary documents and pass the interview. 

3. How much money should I have in my bank account to get approved? 

The U.S. Embassy doesn’t require applicants to have a specific amount in their bank account. There are approved cases when officers don't even ask for bank records. And sometimes, even those with a hundred thousand pesos are denied.

Show money is not the only consideration in approving or denying your application. 

4. How do I secure a multiple-entry U.S. visa? 

There’s no direct answer to this question as the validity of a U.S. visa will be decided right after the interview or, in some cases, on the spot. Usually, you’ll only know whether your U.S. Visa is single-entry or multiple-entry once you receive your passport with the approved visa.

5. Say my application is approved, how long will I wait for my passport?  

You will be notified of the specific time when you can pick up your passport at the U.S. Embassy. You may also check its status online via Visa Status Check at the U.S. Department of State’s website.

And that’s it! Now that you know the different visa categories and the steps to securing your U.S Visa, make sure you organize all the requirements ahead and prepare for your application.  

For more details about U.S. Visa Applications, you may visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines at https://ph.usembassy.gov/, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

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