Important Visa Information (2024)

Important Visa Information

How to Apply

Immigrant Visas

To apply for an immediate relative or family preference immigrant visas, or an employment-based immigrant visa follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process on usvisas.state.gov.  Once you have completed those steps, review the instructions given to you by the National Visa Center (NVC), along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.

To apply for a fiancé(e) visa, follow the steps on the  Fiancé(e) Visa Process on usvisas.state.gov.

If you are a permanent or conditional resident who has remained outside of the United States for longer than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit, due to circ*mstances beyond your control, you will require a new immigrant visa to request re-entry to the United States to resume permanent residence. Learn more about the returning resident status determination process.

Nonimmigrant Visas

The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit provides visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period. The type of nonimmigrant visa that a traveler needs and the requirements to apply for that visa depend largely on the purpose of travel to the United States.

Please visit our U.S. Visa Information Service website for complete requirements and step-by-step procedures in applying for a nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including a directory of nonimmigrant visa categories.

For information on COVID-related requirements for travelers to the United States, please see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/covid-19-travel-information.htmland https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html.

Payment Method & Details

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visa application fees must be paid in cash or major credit card at the Embassy’s consular cashier if these have not been paid at the National Visa Center (NVC).

For fiancé(e) (K) visa applicants, payments must be made through the following: cash payment at any Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) branch; online payment provided by RCBC to their clients; or online payment via PesoNet.

For returning resident status determination,the non-refundable filing fee of $180 (or its pesoequivalent) must be paid at the Embassy’s consular cashier, in cash or a major credit card.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Visa applicants, including children, are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) application fee, before applying for a nonimmigrant visa. The visa application fee must be paid whether a visa is issued or not. The type of visa for which you apply determines the fee amount. The following webpages list visa application fees associated with each nonimmigrant visa type:

• https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visafeeinfo.asp
• https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-paymentinfo.asp

Appointments & Locations

Immigrant Visas

NVC schedules visa interview appointments for immigrant visa applicants, they will send the applicant, petitioner, and/or the authorized agent/attorney (if applicable) an email noting the appointment date and time.

If you are applying for a fiancé(e) (K) visa or if you need to reschedule your appointment, please visit http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ or contact Manila’s Visa Information and Appointment Service Center at (+632) 8548-8223 or (+632) 7792-8988 to create a profile and schedule a visa interview.

Schedule a returning resident status determination appointment at least three (3) months in advance of your intended travel. Call the U.S. Embassy Manila’s Visa Information and Appointment Service at (+632) 8548-8223 or (+632) 7792-8988 to schedule your appointment.

Nonimmigrant Visas

The Embassy prioritizes travelers with urgent (i.e., matter of life or death) travel needs and certain critical categories of travelers, such as students and exchange visitors (F-1, M-1, and J-1) and temporary employees (H-1B, H-2B, and L). We are also processing eligible interview waiver for B1/B2 and interviewing a limited number of B1/B2 applicants each day. While we continue to expand our visa processing, please note that we have a significant backlog of cases so wait times are much longer than pre-pandemic times.

Many visa applicants paid a visa application fee and are still waiting to schedule an interview appointment. The validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) is extended until September 30, 2023, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule an appointment the opportunity to do so.

Expedite Appointment Requests for emergency travel may be submitted in this website. Please note that the applicant will need to book a regular appointment through our appointment system before requesting an expedited appointment.

The interview waiver program has been extended, you may visit these links to know more about Interview Waiver for B1/B2 visas such as renewals, biometrics only appointments for applicants who received their last visa prior to age 14, applicants ages below 14 and over 79 years old and renewals for F/M/J visas.

Locations:

• • U.S. Embassy in the Philippines
  • Passport/Visa Collection Locations
  • Document Drop-Off Locations
  • Bank Locations

The Interview

Immigrant Visas & Fiancé(e) Visas: To prepare for your interview, follow the steps and the document checklist on the Immigrant and Fiancé(e) Visa Interview Preparation page.

For fiancé(e) visas, the National Visa Center (NVC) will notify you when your case has been sent to the U.S. Embassy for an interview. Please note that you must pay the K visa application fee before you can schedule your appointment. Interview appointments for fiancé(e) visas are now available to schedule online at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph or call the Embassy’s Visa Information and Appointment Service Center at (+63) 2 8548-8223 or (+63) 2 7792-8988.

If you are unable to complete the steps and the document checklist prior to your scheduled appointment, please RESCHEDULE your interview online at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph or call the Embassy’s Visa Information and Appointment Service Center at (+63) 2 8548-8223 and (+63) 2 7792-8988.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  A fiancé(e) derivative (K2) applicant must apply and be issued a visa (if qualified) within one (1) year from the date the fiancé(e) (K1) visa was issued. In addition, derivative (K2) applicants who are turning 21 years old must apply, be issued a visa, and enter the United States before the applicant’s 21st birthday. Therefore, we strongly urge K2 applicants to apply for a visa as soon as possible.

Nonimmigrant Visas: To prepare for your nonimmigrant visa interview please gather and prepare the following required documents:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
• Current (within 1 year) Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
• Application fee payment receipt.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one recent (within 6 months) printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

Case Status

Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas

At the end of your visa interview, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied.

Visa approval : When approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you. To facilitate timely delivery of the visa, you must register your delivery address online or via the U.S. Embassy’s service center.

Visa denial: If denied, you will be informed why you are ineligible to receive a visa. You will also be sent a notification by email.

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circ*mstances of each case.  You can check the status of your visa application at ceac.state.gov.

Important Note: Please be aware that you must be admitted to the United States BEFORE your visa’s expiration date, usually the same day that your medical exam expires.  If your medical exam expires within 7 business days, you must obtain a new medical exam prior to visa issuance to allow sufficient time for processing and releasing of the visa prior to expiration. Please also ensure that your passport will be valid for at least 60 days beyond your intended date of travel.

If you have been denied a visa, you may find useful information on ineligibilities and waivers here.

After the Interview

Immigrant Visas

If your visa is approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you. Carefully review After the Interviewon usvisas.state.gov to learn what to do when you receive your visa, entering the United States, paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee, and other important information.

Delivery of Visas: The Visa Section uses a guaranteed courier service to deliver issued visas. LBC commercial courier is the authorized courier service provider for the visa units. Visas are delivered directly to the applicant’s designated address.  Applicants also have the option to pick up the visas at the nearest LBC branch. Applicants do not need to return to the Embassy to pick up their issued visas.

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS): Philippine law requires all departing Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Only emigrants aged 12 years and younger are exempted from attending the PDOS. This is not a U.S. Government requirement. This information is provided solely as a courtesy to visa applicants.

For additional information (registration and counseling requirements, PDOS schedule, and schedule of guidance and counseling sessions), the applicant may visit CFO’s website at http://www.cfo.gov.ph.

Direct Submission of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, formerly NSO) Documents: If your visa was refused under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for insufficient civil documents and your refusal letter instructs you to request a direct submission from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, formerly NSO), please follow the instructions below:

After your interview, the Embassy will provide you a form to submit to the PSA to request direct submission.

OPTION 1: Submit the PSA document request form / Reverification Form in person at the Pasay City PSA outlet

• Go to the Pasay City PSA outlet.
• Complete the PSA document request form.
• Submit the PSA document request form to the PSA clerk.
• Pay the required fee. Keep your receipt. This serves as proof you submitted the form to PSA.

NOTE: This form will only be accepted in person at the Pasay City PSA outlet.

OPTION 2: Call the PSAHelpline.ph to request for your civil documents

• Call (+63) 2 8737-1111 (long distance charges apply outside Metro Manila).
• Tell the Customer Care Officer you have a Reverification Form from the U.S. Embassy Manila.
• Follow the Customer Care Officer’s instructions to pay for the documents.

OPTION 3: Use the PSA website to request your documents. Requesting for a Civil Registry Document | Philippine Statistics Authority (psa.gov.ph)

• Go to https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph/ or https://psahelpline.ph/
• Complete the information details and click “Yes” on Embassy Details to directly submit your civil documents to U.S. Embassy, Manila. Follow the instruction to pay for the documents.

PSA will submit the requested documents directly to the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. You should then wait to hear from us about the status of your visa application. All inquiries regarding your visa application should be directed to the Visa Information and Appointment Service Center at (+63) 2 8548-8223 or (+63) 2 7792-8988.

Nonimmigrant Visas

At the time of your interview the consular officer will make a determination regarding your visa application. If your visa has been approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.

Delivery of Visas: The Visa Section uses a guaranteed courier service to deliver issued visas. LBC commercial courier is the authorized courier service provider for the visa units. Visas are delivered directly to the applicant’s designated address.  Applicants also have the option to pick up the visas at the nearest LBC branch. You may change your document delivery address or document pick-up location at any time prior to 11:59 pm (Manila time) on the day of your nonimmigrant visa interview. After that time, the delivery data will have already been provided to our courier and cannot be changed. You can change your document delivery address at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-deliveryaddressmodify.asp.

Security Information

Visitors are not permitted to bring the following into the U.S. Embassy and will be denied entry if carrying:

• Mobile phones or any kind of electronic or battery-operated devices such as smart watches, fitness trackers, cameras, computers, gaming devices, USB thumb drives, etc.
• Any device with an on/off switch.
• Outside food or drink/liquid of any kind (unless medically required).
• Large bags/purses — only bags that can be hand carried are permitted.
• Sealed envelopes or packages.
• Lighters, matches, or flame-generating devices.

This list is not exhaustive. Consular clients should leave these items at home or another safe location away from the Embassy. There is no storage at the Embassy, and the Embassy has no affiliation with any third-party commercial storage option in the area.

Reasonable Accommodation (PWDs)

If you need reasonable accommodation for your appointment, please request your accommodation immediately once you schedule your appointment via our inquiry form for Immigrant Visas or Nonimmigrant Visas and then selecting “Reasonable Accommodation” category on the topic of inquiry dropdown field.

We make every effort to provide accommodations to persons with disabilities and medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations vary, depending on the situation and the person’s needs. Examples of accommodations include, but are not limited to:

• • If you require a private appointment due to a medical condition or disability, we may schedule an alternative time for you to come in for your interview.
  • If you or your child has special needs that requires a private appointment in a quiet space without distractions, we may schedule an alternative time for you or your family to come in for your interview.
  • If you are unable to speak, you may be allowed to respond to questions in an agreed-upon nonverbal manner such as using pen and paper.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may bring a sign language interpreter to translate during the interview if needed.
  • If you have low vision, we may provide you with communications in large print.

If you are unable to provide fingerprints because of a medical condition, including birth defects, physical deformities, or skin conditions, you may qualify for a fingerprint waiver for certain fingers.

• • Interview waivers are only granted in extreme situations, such as having a medical condition that requires flying in an air ambulance.

The waiting room of the Consular Section and its restroom is wheelchair-accessible.