Before I applied for US tourist visa, I went through hell, like searching the net, watching youtubes asking friends for any tips. All of these were just a waste of time and 83% were myths.
I had my interview yesterday (June 7, 2013) at the US Embassy, Manila. Never expected how it turned out to be, I was preparing myself to get rejected but it turned out otherwise. What I learn is, never give up on something you haven't tried. If you'll gonna spend and drain yourself of searching "how to pass interview for US tourist Visa", reading one's blog or watching youtube on "how to answer the consul's questions" or "Questions and Answers for acquiring US Tourist Visa", you will be wasting hours of your time. Also, 97% of what I read online had a great impact on me negatively, that single females on their 20's, do not have kids have greater chances of getting denied. Well folks, here's a bad news for you, NOT TRUE AT ALL.
I am single, female, no kid(s). I am on my 20's and I'm employed in our business. Things I prepared when I arrived in the embassy:
1. Passport
2. DS-160 ONLINE NONIMMIGRANT VISA ELECTRONIC APPLICATION - PRINT OUT (Applicants can access the DS-160 from the
Consular Electronic Application Center website:
https://ceac.state.gov/GENNIV/Default.aspx)
3. 1 (one) piece of 2x2 ID picture.
4. YOUSELF - yagit kaayo ko ani kompara sa ubang mga aplikante.
I brought supporting documents to demonstrate strong ties sa atong nasud, nga magpamatuod nga mobalik jud ko. Pero, the consul never asked anything, even a passbook or bank statements even certifications..WALA as in WALA JUUUUUUUD.
I had an 8:30 appointment, I arrived 20 mins before the scheduled appointment. DO NOT BRING ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES (cellphones, iphones, ipads, camera basta anything that is electronic is prohibited otherwise, mouli jud ka para ibilin or if you have company, leave it to her/him). Also, I checked-in in a hotel, and pleaaaaaase just please go to google map kung unsay pinakaduol nga hotel sa embassy, ako kay sa m manila hotel..walking distance, across the embassy jud..duol kaayo. 0.19 kms away pero naay mas duol. Ipalihug lang ko ug search kay para dili mo mailad sa taxi driver didto, akong nabayaran kay 578 gikan sa airport to the hotel kay wala kuno siya katultul..
1. naay 2 ka gates, adto ka sa una nga gate from the left. Kung naa kay kuyog, kutob ra siya sa gate. Naay linya and when its your
turn, hand in your:
a. PASSPORT
b. DS 160 CONFIRMATION OF APPLICATION (if walay picture imong ds 160 parehas sa ako, ok ra, basta naa kay usa (1) ka 2x2
pic, ayaw ibutang sa imong passport, ibutang lang sa gawas).
2. You will be asked for your scheduled appointment state it (I am here for the 8:30 appointment), Clerk will check your DS 160 and
passport, once everything is good, they'll be stapling your priority number on you DS 160 and sticking your PASSPORT barcode
with your name at the back of your passport. They'll gonna arrange it in a certain manner, so ayaw na siya hilabta. (8:15 am)
3. Go inside the Gate and proceed for the scanning. AGAIN, DO NOT BRING ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICEs, makauli jud ka ug ahat ana.
4. When done, go outside from the SCANNING ROOM, proceed to the window where they check your passport and ds 160 (AGAIN).
Once everything is checked, you will then be asked to proceed to (the grandeur) US EMBASSY BUILDING.
5. Once inside, you'll gonna go through the scanning process again. Once done, you will then be asked where to be seated (waiting
for almost an hour, estimated time: 30-45 mins to the next step).
6. Wait for your number to be called. This will be your first step -- the pre-screening process. If am not mistaken,
windows 24-28 will be accommodating this process. Roaming personnel will inform which window you'll be accommodated.
When its your turn, you need to hand in your ds 160, passport and your 2x2 picture. . Again, do not put your picture inside your
passport sa gawas lang para makita dayon sa clerk. You will then be asked for your name, date of birth and the purpose of your
travel. (I responded, for vacation purposes). Once its done, you will be asked to be seated and wait for your number to flash on
the screen for fingerprint scanning. Take note, numbers are not in order kay ang mga applicants for students visa, seafarers,
senior citizens and minor applicants will be prioritized so rambul-rambol na ang mga numbers ani, so bantayi jud ni imong
number, ayaw pagtabi permi, gamay lang. (estimated time of process: 3-6 mins, estimated time for waiting to the next step: 30-45
minutes).
7. The monitor will indicate which window ( WINDOWS 13-19) you'll be accommodated (i.e., yournumber_window; 2311_14).
Proceed to the window, hand in your passport and your DS 160. You'll be asked to state your complete name and your date of
birth and do the finger scanning. You will be taught how. (Note: This process will be accommodated by US personnel). Once done,
you'll be asked to be seated and wait for your tininininininnnnnnnng... INTERVIEW. (estimated time of process: 2-4 mins;
estimated time for waiting to the next step: 35-50 mins).
8. Gikulbaan nako ani kay makadungog jud ko sa decision sa mga consuls sa mga applicants. Nibalhin ko ug lingkuranan kay di
mada.. tugnaw ang sulod nya namugnaw ko sa kakulba ug kakuyaw sa mga tubag ug sa verdict, nastress ko kadjut, by this time
mga 10ish na ni. At 11:07, my number flashed, window 6. Hand-in your passport and your ds160 with your stapled 2x2 on your
ds160. Here's how it went:
Me: (smiling) Good Morning! (handing-in my requirements)
--------consul was checking my ds160 and I guess he was pulling up my online application----
Consul: Why are you going to America
Me: For vacation and to visit a relative.
Consul: what relative?
Me: My cousin
------consul paused, i think he was proceeding to the next page this time still looking at his monitor (online application)------
Consul: Whats your job?
Me: Admin-finance manager in a family business, actually there are 2 businesses (this is what i indicated in my application but i
declared only for 1 business type)
consul: what type?
me: Manpower and security services.
how much does your father earn? (not asked in my application)
----at this point, i paused for a minute, was thinking how to answer this question---
me: my father already passed away sir, but he owned 2 businesses, the manpower and the security agencies.
consul: how much does it earn monthly? (not asked in my application)
me: the businesses?
consul: yes, the businesses.
-----i paused again for a minute-----
me: roughly 200-300 thousand pesos, average (not asked in my application)
consul: how much do you earn?
me: 20 thousand pesos sir. (this is what i indicated in my application)
consul: who is going to pay for the trip?
me: i will be paying for the trip.
consul: how long are you going to stay?
me: 3 weeks (this is what i indicated in my application)
consul: are you married
me: no, i'm single.
consul: do you have children?
me: none.
consul: (this time he's scanning my passport), have you ever been to united state
me: no, I havent.
consul: have traveled somewhere else
me: no, i haven't.
consul: or to any other countries.
me: no sir.
------paused, consul checking on his monitor, holding my passport, i bit my lower lip then he said-----
consul: ok, your visa is approved, it will be delivered for 1 week (while putting my passport at his side section of approved visas).
NOTE: This may sound unbelievable, but he never asked for any supporting documents, not even for a passbook or bank stamps or any kind of docs to support my statements and declared businesses. I don't even have a personal savings account, what i have is a joint account with my mom which is worth 20k (i brought this just in case), it was really a big relief.
TIP: Do not submit any documents if you are not asked. Let the consul do his/her thing of asking you questions. (estimated time of process: less than 7 mins, it was a fast-paced interview, I just went along with the consul's pace.
I hope I shared some helpful tips. Good luck!
THE PROCESS and How I was approved for US TOURIST VISA (June 7, 2013) for NOOBS/DUMMIES.
if you don't mind, were u granted for multiple entry with 10 yrs expiration? 
boom! Congrats diay TS! ang ako tawn bago ra na expire hahaha renew nasad hopefully ma approve balik
Originally Posted by iron_cross
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