U.S Embassy - Philippines (Packet 3/4 Question)

[BB & MJ 3]

I was wondering for those who are filing through the U.S Embassy - Manila Philippines if any (recent) applicants can provide information regarding the "Required Documents" section of the approval letter their fiancee received. I know the fee for the Visa interview has increased to $350 now (which is a real joke but what can you do). For specifically those Philippine applicants, does anyone know which DS documents my fiancee will need to fill out? According to some web information I found, she will need to complete the DS-156, DS-157 and DS-156K. However some other info I found especially from the Embassy of U.S in Manila (Nonimmigrant Visa Application Procedures) shows info about the DS-160 that will need to be completed? Can anyone provide info and clear this up (especially to those who already received their Packet 3/4? Thanks in advance......

[BB & MJ 3]

Guess I found my answer. Just wanted to verify with any recent applicants if this is OFFICIAL.

Per the EMBASSY of the UNITED STATES in Manila (http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3024.html)

Message updated: June 4, 2010

New DS-160 Online Visa Application Form Requirement Effective May 24, 2010

Effective May 24, 2010, all nonimmigrant visa applicants will be REQUIRED to complete and submit an online visa application form known as the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. The DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application will replace the current nonimmigrant visa paper application, Forms DS-156/157/158, and other related paper forms.

With demand for U.S. visas continuing to increase worldwide, the U.S. State Department is committed to using new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the visa application process. The web-based nonimmigrant visa application uses new technologies and replaces existing forms to better serve our visa applicants.

For visa applicants with a visa interview scheduled before May 24, 2010, the DS-156/157/158 and related paper forms will continue to be accepted. Visa applicants with a visa interview scheduled on May 24, 2010, or after MUST complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. As DS-157 forms will no longer be accepted after this date, the MRV fee payment slip (blue paper) from the bank must be attached to the DS-160 confirmation page when an applicant appears for a visa interview. Applicants can access the DS-160 from the Consular Electronic Application Center website or from the link on the U.S. Embassy website in Manila.

In order to avoid delays in processing visa applications, visa applicants or their representatives must ensure that the following information is correctly provided:

* Applicant’s complete name (required format is Surname, First name(s), Middle Name(s))

* Applicant’s passport information (the passport used in filling out the form must be the same passport presented on the day of interview)

* Other Name(s) (for married female applicants, type your complete maiden name)

* Purpose of Trip to the U.S. (if the answer falls under “Other,” it is a requirement to specify the purpose of travel in the blank provided)

* Primary Occupation (if the answer falls under “Other,” it is a requirement to specify the occupation in the blank provided)

* Contact Person and Contact Address in the United States

* Father’s Complete Name (required format is Surname, First name(s), Middle Name(s))

* Mother’s Complete Maiden Name (required format is Surname, First name(s), Middle Name(s))

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions for instructions about the DS-160. If you have a question about filling out the online DS-160 that is not answered in the FAQs, please send us an e-mail.

The only change we are implementing at the current time is the use of the DS-160 in lieu of the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF). All other visa application procedures remain the same.

[TracyTN 237]

Moving thread from K1 process forum to consular forum.

[sunandmoon 450]

there is no packet 3/4 for Manila. the K-1 interview preparation intructions are online at the Embassy website. http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwfk1en.pdf

according to the insructions, the DS-156, 156k and 157 are still being used for K-1 Visa. even though the K-1 is a nonimmigrant visa, it is proceesed by the Immigrant Visa Unit of the Embassy.

check out the Philippine Forum here on VJ. I'm sure you'll find lots of useful information.

[Tahoma 2,292]

At the U.S. Embassy in Manila, K-1ers are still using the DS-156, DS-156K, and DS-157. K-1ers are not using the new DS-160.

Check out this thread or this thread or this thread.

[shedn 0]

as of mid may the manila embassy says the 160 is being used and not the others

[Tahoma 2,292]

as of mid may the manila embassy says the 160 is being used and not the others

I disagree. Please provide a link.

[shedn 0]

I disagree. Please provide a link.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3024.html, there you will find the following:

New DS-160 Online Visa Application Form Requirement Effective May 24, 2010

Effective May 24, 2010, all nonimmigrant visa applicants will be REQUIRED to complete and submit an online visa application form known as the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. The DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application will replace the current nonimmigrant visa paper application, Forms DS-156/157/158, and other related paper forms.

With demand for U.S. visas continuing to increase worldwide, the U.S. State Department is committed to using new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the visa application process. The web-based nonimmigrant visa application uses new technologies and replaces existing forms to better serve our visa applicants.

For visa applicants with a visa interview scheduled before May 24, 2010, the DS-156/157/158 and related paper forms will continue to be accepted. Visa applicants with a visa interview scheduled on May 24, 2010, or after MUST complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. As DS-157 forms will no longer be accepted after this date, the MRV fee payment slip (blue paper) from the bank must be attached to the DS-160 confirmation page when an applicant appears for a visa interview. Applicants can access the DS-160 from the Consular Electronic Application Center website or from the link on the U.S. Embassy website in Manila.

[Tahoma 2,292]

as of mid may the manila embassy says the 160 is being used and not the others

I disagree. Please provide a link.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3024.html, there you will find the following:

New DS-160 Online Visa Application Form Requirement Effective May 24, 2010

Effective May 24, 2010, all nonimmigrant visa applicants will be REQUIRED to complete and submit an online visa application form known as the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. The DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application will replace the current nonimmigrant visa paper application, Forms DS-156/157/158, and other related paper forms.

With demand for U.S. visas continuing to increase worldwide, the U.S. State Department is committed to using new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the visa application process. The web-based nonimmigrant visa application uses new technologies and replaces existing forms to better serve our visa applicants.

For visa applicants with a visa interview scheduled before May 24, 2010, the DS-156/157/158 and related paper forms will continue to be accepted. Visa applicants with a visa interview scheduled on May 24, 2010, or after MUST complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application. As DS-157 forms will no longer be accepted after this date, the MRV fee payment slip (blue paper) from the bank must be attached to the DS-160 confirmation page when an applicant appears for a visa interview. Applicants can access the DS-160 from the Consular Electronic Application Center website or from the link on the U.S. Embassy website in Manila.

You did not read far enough down the Embassy's announcement.

If you continue reading the announcement, you will notice the link: "Frequently Asked Questions." Click on it and read Question #13.

K-1ers do not use the DS-160.

Also, every single report from VJ K-1ers says the same thing: no DS-160 for K-1ers.

[jaymzda1 2]

You did not read far enough down the Embassy's announcement.

If you continue reading the announcement, you will notice the link: "Frequently Asked Questions." Click on it and read Question #13.

K-1ers do not use the DS-160.

Also, every single report from VJ K-1ers says the same thing: no DS-160 for K-1ers.

[jaymzda1 2]

that's very confusing, if they are not sending packet 3/4....then why not electronic processing?? it seems like a good idea, less paper..save time etc. if they have that capability, why alienate all other nonimmigrant visas? i looked at the list...it's a lot of visa types, not just K1...what's the point in goin DS 160 then? it's just not making sense to me right now....what a big let down