Tourist Visa Forum -- where?

[pinkhonu 5]

i didn't know where to direct this question... so i just thought maybe a fellow Filipino can answer my question...

my mom and my brother plans to be at my wedding if i get approved.

i've realized that the only way they can be at my wedding... is if they apply for their tourist visa early.

chris and i are still waiting on our noa2. so it might take a while before we see any results from this petition.

i tried to google tourist visa... but just had sponsored results. plus i would rather hear it from VJ members since the members here have been more reliable compared to any other sites i've seen so far.

i was hoping to find out if there's a forum here on VJ about applying for a tourist visa.. coz i can't seem to find it.

if there's none, can anyone point to a direction where i can find a good forum for such visa?

and yes i have seen the info on the manila us embassy website... but would like a more thorough guide for the tourist visa application.

a site like this one that has their own experiences and testimonies to share.

i really want my family to be at my wedding. well.. at least my mom and my brother.

thank you in advance!!

[Anh map 2,098]

The General immigration forum would be where tourist visas would be discussed. Also here in the PI regional forum.

They can apply for tourist visas at the embassy and must show STRONG ties to the Philippines in order to get visas.

Based on what I've seen here on VJ the chances are low that they can get visas. But the only way to know is for them to apply.

Best of luck on your K1.

[pinkhonu 5]

The General immigration forum would be where tourist visas would be discussed. Also here in the PI regional forum.

They can apply for tourist visas at the embassy and must show STRONG ties to the Philippines in order to get visas.

Based on what I've seen here on VJ the chances are low that they can get visas. But the only way to know is for them to apply.

Best of luck on your K1.

thank u!

yeah, mom has that. but i know that it would still be hard because the CO will be the one to approve of it.

if i get my future in-laws to invite my mom would it help? like if they write an invitation letter?

we just hope for her to be there for a week or 3 weeks max!

so that at least she can also meet some of our relatives there and get to see some places before going home.

my mom's turning 50 on the 13th this month. so i at least want her to rest from the long plane ride.. then be at the wedding.. then prepare herself for another long plane ride back home.

i do anticipate that it's going to be very difficult.

but we'll just try to give it a shot.

[Darnell 8,478]

the instructions for tourist visa are on the US Embassy website for Manila.

Have you seen those ?

[16freekisses 0]

Hi!

Nope, I didnt go and seek assistance from any agency (gastos lang un!).

What I did was go to the website of manila embassy, READ as in navigate everything there as all information is all there. http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhniv1.html#Step1

Read the Demonstrating ties portion found on the left side of the page.

If you will go to an agency, what they will do is schedule you for a interview and if you read the site, you can do it yourself.

My experience was quite easy, I read the website (Oct), scheduled an interview (Nov),passed the interview and in 2 days the visa was delivered, by Dec I flew to the US.

Word of caution though, 90% of the people who were also interviewed that day were denied. Nakayuko kasi sila at hawak hawak nila ang passport nila (if you pass they will keep the passport). So you have to be prepared with all the documents needed and that you are confident.

Goodluck!

^Bluerose gave me this info since I am also going to try for a B2 sometime this year or next year. Hope it helps.

Best of luck to you. Happy wedding/marriage in advance!

Edited April 11, 2010 by 16freekisses

[LOSTGURL--SOPHIA 2]

reposted for tourist visa:

step by step information how to apply for b1/tourist visa:

link: http://manila.usemba...v/wwwhniv1.html

All basic documentary requirements must be ready BEFORE an appointment can be made. Additional documents may be required, so please read the information below carefully.

All documents must be original. Photocopies will not be accepted, unless specified. The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit does not accept documents BEFORE the interview except for Treaty Trader (E1) and Treaty Investor (E2) visa applications. Any documents received will not be returned and will be destroyed (except the passport).

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

** go to bpi and pay the fee for the form and the non immigrant visa application i think its $185-- and ds156 will be handed to the applicant

1. APPLICATION FORMS – Both completed application forms (DS-156 & DS-157) are needed for each person, regardless of age. All questions must be filled out with a high level of accuracy. Errors and incomplete information may result in a visa processing delay.

a.) DS-156 Form – Please fill out the form online, and then print it out using an inkjet or laser printer. The printout will be three pages in length and will include a two-dimensional barcode page. Make sure that the barcode is printed clearly and completely, with no lines broken or torn.

A handwritten or typed Visa Application DS-156 Form cannot be accepted

b.) DS-157 Form – Applicants should also complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Supplemental Application DS-157 Form online, print, and bring to the interview.

** Make sure when filling up both online you have a printer because it will issue a barcode after that which will be asked by the callcenter agent, you can never SAVE this file and print it out after**

2. PASSPORT – Signed passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of intended departure from the United States. The passport must be in good condition, i.e., photo lamination is undamaged, and all passport pages are intact.

3. PHOTO – One 2” x 2” standard, full-frontal face position color photo against a white background taken within the last six (6) months is required. The photo must be glued or stapled to the application form where specified.

Both ears must show in the photo. Please click here for additional information on photo specifications.

ADD ON's

4. PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP (if applying with/for dependent/s)

*

Original marriage certificate printed on Philippine National Statistics Office security paper, if applicable (if applying with a spouse and/or child)

Original birth certificate printed on Philippine National Statistics Office security paper (for dependent/s)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Additional requirements are based on the visa class that a person is applying for. Please look at the Types of Visas page and view the details for each visa class.

Step 2:

SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT

There are two ways to book an interview appointment: through the Embassy call center or through the VisaPoint™ online system.

1. Scheduling an appointment through the Embassy call center

These telephone appointment systems are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Philippine time, except Philippine holidays.

1-909-101-7878

for callers from within the Philippines

Calls made to this number cost 53 Philippine Pesos per minute, plus applicable provincial charges. This number is only for subscribers of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company touchtone landlines with national/international distance dialing features.

Or

1-888-877-9888 -- I suggest call this no. this way more cheaper compared to the 1909 at least its unlimited up to 3 calls-- I did conference call with my mom when we did it.

for callers from within the United States (mainland only)

When calling this number, please have a credit card (either Visa or MasterCard). The expiration date and security code are required. Please have the postal code of the billing address of the credit card ready.

The card will be charged $18 per transaction. After the card is approved, a nonrefundable personal identification number (PIN) will be given. The PIN will allow the caller to speak to an operator three times (including the initial call) at no charge.

When booking an appointment, the caller must have both basic and additional documentary requirements handy. All applicants are required to provide an email address where the Appointment Confirmation Receipt will be sent.

GO FOR THE INTERVIEW

You can view a presentation about the interview process at the Embassy so that you know what to expect. You can see the presentation in English or Tagalog.

After check-in at the entry gate, applicants will proceed to the Pavilion where they will submit their documents for data entry. Each applicant, or group, will receive a number. When their numbers are called, applicants proceed to the appropriate window for finger scanning. After finger scanning, documents and passport will be returned to applicants for presentation to the interviewing officer later.

Please note: Applicants should present only their DS-156, DS-157, and passport to the interviewing officer. If additional documents are required, the officer will ask for them.

Embassy personnel are available to provide assistance at each stage.

ü The U.S. Embassy in Manila does not pre-qualify an applicant. Only an adjudicating consular officer at the time of the interview can determine whether an applicant is eligible for a nonimmigrant visa.

ü All ten fingers of a visa applicant will be electronically scanned in an inkless process at the beginning of the visa interview. The electronic data from the fingerprints will be stored in a database. This information will be available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security immigration officers at ports of entry in the United States as part of the US-VISIT Program. The biometric identifier will be checked at the port of entry in the United States to verify that the person presenting the visa is the same person to whom the visa was issued.

ü Non-compliance with the requirements mentioned above will result in non-processing of the visa application.

ü Applicants who require interpreters must inform the interviewing officer on the day of their interview. The Embassy will provide an interpreter. There is no need to bring a relative or a friend to act as an interpreter.

Back to Top

Step 5:

IF ISSUED A VISA

Upon the conclusion of the interview, the applicant will be advised whether he or she qualifies for the visa. Please note that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. Visa holders are subject to inspection at the port of entry by officials of the Department of Homeland Security who have the authority to deny admission.