In Paying DS157

[alexandra8886 0]

I visited BPI-Megamall to pay for my DS157. I already have my $200 for the 2 forms (1 for me & the other one for my daughter. I really intend to keep this money for the DS payment. For us to save the exchange rate difference & the bank charges for the withdrawal.

I was shocked when the teller informed me that BPI only accepts peso payment for this DS157. I showed what’s written in packet 4. The teller explained to me that US Embassy doesn’t have dollar account in BPI.

That’s why, an applicant who has dollar bill will then be convert the money into pesos. Take note, the conversion will be lesser than the actual bank rate -which is quite big difference in the regular money changer.

So, what I did, I withdraw from my peso savings account, went bank to bank & pay P9,400 for two DS157.

For others whose planning to pay DSForms in US$, better do it in Citibank.

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth paid hers at BPI in pesos.

[lirachadsbaby 0]

its should really be paid in pesos.

[alexandra8886 0]

its should really be paid in pesos.

As per the information in number 1 (reference: packet 4)

PROOF OF PAYMENT. The application fee for a K1 or K2 nonimmigrant visa is $100 (or the phil peso equivalent at the prevailing exchange rate) which szhould be paid by each applicant at designated branches fo BPI & Citibank.....

as per my understanding from this statement, i can pay the DSFOrms in US$ in BPI & CItibank. They should have been clearer with this info. I know that the St.Lukes only accepts in Peso equivalent payment, it was clearly stated in the packet 4.

regards,

alexandra

[lirachadsbaby 0]

its should really be paid in pesos.

or the phil peso equivalent at the prevailing exchange rate)

that's it.

[alexandra8886 0]

the "OR" leads me to the understanding that it was an option to pay DSFOrms either in US$ & Pero Equivalent.

[ryza 0]

(or the phil peso equivalent at the prevailing exchange rate)

YES! its clearly states that equivalent in PHIL. PESO

good luck on your upcoming interview

Edited August 30, 2007 by ryza

[alexandra8886 0]

(or the phil peso equivalent at the prevailing exchange rate)

YES! its clearly states that equivalent in PHIL. PESO

good luck on your upcoming interview

for me its not CLEAR ..Like what i said.. the "OR" implies an option..i learn it from English Grammar/Language Subject

[JoanBill 0]

(or the phil peso equivalent at the prevailing exchange rate)

YES! its clearly states that equivalent in PHIL. PESO

good luck on your upcoming interview

for me its not CLEAR ..Like what i said.. the "OR" implies an option..i learn it from English Grammar/Language Subject

We gave 'em a $100 bill and they took it.

[dj1206 0]

Yeah, they make applicants confused with what they put in the packet lol. They should update it! hahaha! They can take the $100 dollar bill and convert it first but like what Alexandra said, it will be converted to a lower exchange rate.

[alexandra8886 0]

Yeah, they make applicants confused with what they put in the packet lol. They should update it! hahaha! They can take the $100 dollar bill and convert it first but like what Alexandra said, it will be converted to a lower exchange rate.

Thank God, somebody got my point

When I received my packet 4, I felt quite disappointed when I opened the brown envelope & seen the papers.

It’s pretty obvious that the packet4 was printed a long time ago;

1 – In number 1, they just made a “HANDWRITTEN” correction on the part;

The bank will validate your payment on the DS156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form..

They just crossed the 156 & wrote 157 did this manually.

2 – The CENOMAR was not included in the list of requirement. Though they attached a small paper stating that;

“ Effective March 2006; All Applicants who have never been contracted marriage should submit a CENOMAR…”

This statement is also quite confusing, since they mention “APPLICANTS WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTRACTED MARRIAGE”.

What about the applicants who have previous marriage? Still, the notice was not that clear.

3 – DSForms has expiration dates. That leads to some applicants in confusing thoughts. These expiration dates doesn’t sustain the validity towards the applicants’ interview schedule.

4 – The payment issue. They mention in packet4 that payment can be done in US$. Putting “OR” in the sentence, leads to the reader an “option to two things”. Well, for others exchange rate diff & bank charges may not be a big matter, but to some who has an average income like me..It does matter.

To top it all, its good thing that we have forum like this Visa Journey, that help us to any confusing information with this application.

What if the beneficiary was not that knowledgeable with computer..With internet? How are they going to deal with this?

You think a call center (with charges) will be a great help? Or the USEMbassy's trunkline- which most of the time gives you a response from an answering machine?

This document is from USA which the major language is English and its quite amazing that document such packet 4 has some confusing statement.

Second thing, we’re paying for these forms. Not in a small amount but in a three-digit US$. They should have been more presentable & professional with this. They are very strict with the application procedures but it seems that it doesn’t reflect on documents.

Recently they just made an increase with these visa applications. I wish this increase will make a difference.

Just a thought guys...

I just hope that this post will not affect the approval on my incoming interview!

[spidergirl 0]

I visited BPI-Megamall to pay for my DS157. I already have my $200 for the 2 forms (1 for me & the other one for my daughter. I really intend to keep this money for the DS payment. For us to save the exchange rate difference & the bank charges for the withdrawal.

I was shocked when the teller informed me that BPI only accepts peso payment for this DS157. I showed what’s written in packet 4. The teller explained to me that US Embassy doesn’t have dollar account in BPI.

That’s why, an applicant who has dollar bill will then be convert the money into pesos. Take note, the conversion will be lesser than the actual bank rate -which is quite big difference in the regular money changer.

So, what I did, I withdraw from my peso savings account, went bank to bank & pay P9,400 for two DS157.

For others whose planning to pay DSForms in US$, better do it in Citibank.

Yes thats true BPI didnt accept $ for payment of US Visa applications. What i did is i called them before i went there.

[jom 4]

I visited BPI-Megamall to pay for my DS157. I already have my $200 for the 2 forms (1 for me & the other one for my daughter. I really intend to keep this money for the DS payment. For us to save the exchange rate difference & the bank charges for the withdrawal.

I was shocked when the teller informed me that BPI only accepts peso payment for this DS157. I showed what’s written in packet 4. The teller explained to me that US Embassy doesn’t have dollar account in BPI.

That’s why, an applicant who has dollar bill will then be convert the money into pesos. Take note, the conversion will be lesser than the actual bank rate -which is quite big difference in the regular money changer.

So, what I did, I withdraw from my peso savings account, went bank to bank & pay P9,400 for two DS157.

For others whose planning to pay DSForms in US$, better do it in Citibank.

Yes thats true BPI didnt accept $ for payment of US Visa applications. What i did is i called them before i went there.

Now that is a SMART girl