The Philippines is not included in the Visa Waiver Program of the United States. Thus, Filipinos who hold Philippine Passports are required to apply for a Tourist Visa to enter the US. Below are my answers to some questions frequently asked when Filipinos want to travel to the US.
1) What is the probability for a Filipino to get a U.S. Tourist Visa / Visitor Visa?
Filipinos’ chances to get a tourist visa for the US vary from one person to another. Filipinos need to prove during the application and interview process that they will not become a burden once they arrive in the United States, have good intent, and will travel back to the Philippines. The consuls will approve the visas or not based on the applicant’s situation, documents presented, and answers during the interview. There are even some circumstances that the they will deny the application without the interview process.
2.) What documents do I need to prepare for my application?
You need to fill out the form for non-immigrant visa application, a valid passport, and one(1) 2×2 photo. Aside from these, you need to provide:
- A letter or documentation for why you will visit United States
- Proof that you intend to leave the United States because of your strong ties to the Philippines or current country of residence (Such as letters of certifications from your current employers showing your position and length of tenure, property titles and other registrations for possessions [house, cars, business], photos of families staying in the Philippines, and other documents to show your commitments in the Philippines or country of residence [organization membership]. In case of students, school registration certificate, grades, and proof of parents situation, and student’s long-range plans in the Philippines.)
- Proof that you are financially capable to stay in the United States (such as copies of your bank statements for the past 6 months, credit card statements, copies of pay stubs, income tax returns). If you do not have any, provide letters (and if possible financial documents) from people funding your stay in the US.
- Letters of Guarantee of you departing US do not make you highly qualified for a tourist visa approval. It will still be going about your strong ties to the Philippines (education/employment, properties, families).
- Birth and/or marriage certificates
Remember: The documents vary from one applicant to another, so just think of what documents you can show that you have good intentions and will plan to go back to the Philippines or your current country of residence.
3) Does it look bad if someone else pays the Visa fee for them?
I don’t think so. My then-fiancee, now my husband, paid for my visa fee. But this can still be a case-to-case basis.
4) If I did acquire the U.S. Visa, what would be the length of time I would likely be granted to stay in America?
There are different types of visas and length of time depends on the visa you applied for. My visa to get to US was Fiance/e Visa, and this allowed me to stay in US for 90 days to get married. Other type of visas are B-2 Tourist Visa and B-1 Business Visa which both allow holders to stay up to 6 months.
5) Is it better or worse to send a letter of invite for that person to present while interviewing for the Visa?
Sending documents with your application and during the interview that support your reasons for going to the US is always advisable. During the interview, only present these documents when asked.
6.) I just want to travel to Hawaii, do I need to still apply for a Tourist Visa?
Hawaii is one of the 50 states of the United States; although it is an island away from the main land, same rules apply, you need to apply for a visitor visa. Same rules when you wish to travel to Guam and Puerto Rico since these are territories of the United States.
7.) Where else can I get more information about Tourist visas for entry to the United States?
Check the pages of frequently asked questions in the website of US Embassy in Manila and in the US Travel State website.
hi reah, my 17 year old cousin’s nulla osta has been released and his mom in italy wants me to travel with him.. what are the requirements that i need for visa application? i’m currently unemployed. my aunt will shoulder all my expenses while i’m there.. thanks
Hi there,
I also wrote about my family’s recent experience on getting US tourist visa.
http://www.pinaymommyadreamer.com/2012/03/apply-work-home-job.html
I hope it’s okay to post it here?
opps sorry I had the wrong link!
Hi there,
I also wrote about my family’s recent experience on getting US tourist visa.
http://www.pinaymommyadreamer.com/2012/08/apply-tourist-visa-philippines.html
I hope it’s okay to post it here?
hi rhea ,
i am michelle from cebu , phillipines
i am 19 years old , a student and wanted to have a vacation in california by summer next year.
how can i get a tourist visa for united states specifically in california ? i
hi rhea ,
i am michelle from cebu , phillipines
i am 19 years old , a student and wanted to have a vacation in california by summer next year.
how can i get a tourist visa for united states specifically in california ? i
We wish to bring my companion’s granddaughter here to the US to visit from the Philippines. How long can she stay on a non-immigrant visa?
Hi
I just wanna ask about US tourist visa!!!im in philippine passport holder working in Qatar for almost 4 years,,wanting to have vacation in Hawaii for maximum 10 days.o just wanna ask what requirements do I need to comply.and is it ok if in cash instead to bank accnt cos I don’t have it?thanks
is there a stronger chance for me to get a US tourist visa even if i’m a filipino residing via a student visa in sydney? pls help. thank you.
hi. im michelle, working here now in singapore. i wanted to have a tourist visa in US.. how can i process here in singapore?
Hi, have u already apply for us visa? Coz im applying too.. Same currently here in singapore tnx
Hello everyone! I would like to know my chances of being granted a visa. My company is requesting me to get one for business purpose. I will be assigned to certain project in the US. All expenses will be shouldered by them. However, I am so worried because I heard that it’s really difficult to get a visa for a short visit. I don’t have any experience in international travel. Do I have the chance? I am currently studying Master’s Degree, do you think it’s a good reason to convince them that I will return? I hope to hear an insights from you.
Thanks a lot.
jovello,
I believe you have a good chance especially that your company is sponsoring you. You should just show your documents to prove your employment and proof that you are finishing a master’s degree in the Philippines, and of course other documents that the US Embassy have listed in the requirements. I would also get a letter from the company, them explaining to the consul why you are requested to go to the US and how long. If there is an itinerary like an event you need to go to, I would get that as well.
Hi Rhea,
Thank you so much for such a quick response. I will discuss it with my manager regarding the needed documents. I really appreciate your encourgement. Thanks a lot! God Bless!
Jovello
Hi im jacqueline from mindanao,philippine.i am a philippine passport holder and i want to go us,california to visit my friend and he is proveding all my needs,so this is my first time to go.how can i get visit visa.thank you
no dont go without informations all they need proof.. damit officers
i hate philipine airport officers
have a nice day !
My name is Cindy from Philippines !
I have a boyfriend in San Francisco, California!
We start to meet last year of November here in manila !
and he invite me to visit him and he’s family in San Francisco, California, because his parents want me to meet and of course i want to meet them also and my boyfriend! what kind of visa do i’ll need to get ? there’s a possibility to visit them ? but we are not longer we know each other ! actually he support me while he is in California ,we always have a good communication/good converssaion everyday ! we have more picture when he is here in Philippines.. and he said he will provide all my expenses that i need in California and to process all my requirements that i need to process ..what kind of papers proofs or requirements do i need in embassy ? it’s my first time to do this !!hope you can help me and give me an advice PLS !
thank you so much
I have a fiance I intend to marry if he is able to get to come to the US. I am wondering if we get married here in the US, does a legal gay marriage entitle him to stay in the US. Does a gay marriage hold any validity in the Philippines?
Hi..my boyfriend would like to invite me for a check out trip.. just to let me see if i like he place before i can commit on something that will bound me forever.. i am currently a product manager for a distributing company.. live wih my parents and i doubt it if my bank statements are strong enough to pose as supporting documents.. what is our best option for this?
Hello!
Is it possible for someone to get a US tourist visa even if he or she is unemployed? His friend is the US will shoulder all expenses .
It is possible, but you have to have the friend willing to submit all the required documents for being a sponsor. This is in addition to the papers you will fill out…
= http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/sponsor-documents.html
= http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1265.html
Hi everyone!
I just want to get some insights from you regarding my situation. I am 27 years old Filipina and with an American boyfriend for about a year already. I’ve worked in a Call center for the last 4 years of my life, but now unemployed since last December. I have been to Australia twice already since I’ve got my family members and friends living there and was blessed to be invited by them as a Tourist and was granted twice. I know I could easily live my life in Australia but my bf is in the US. He will be coming here this April to meet my family, and we’re planning for me to visit his family and stay in the US for few weeks just so I can have a grasp of how living with him and there will look like. He mentioned to me about applying for a Fiance Visa but marriage is a lifelong commitment and I don’t want to go into unknown without me gauging everything first and that’s the reason why I want to go for a Tourist Visa first and see if I can see myself living there permanently. And I also wish to be married here in the Philippines so my family can see. After my tour, he will be back here again so we can get married. I have my bank account but it’s not something that I can brag about coz I only have few bucks there. MY bf will be the one who’s going to shoulder everything. I’m just not sure if America uses the same process/standards allowing Tourist in their country, although in Australia, there is no interview anymore. So my questions are:
1. Do I have any chances of getting approved given my situation above?
2. If I get denied, can I reapply again or possibly apply but this time for a Fiance Visa?
Thanks and hope I can get some insights here.
May I asked, how much money should I have in the bank when applying for a tourist visa?
I was going to ask the same thing. I heard you need 5000 in the bank. Why?
Hi Rhea, thanks for this highly informative post. Please allow me to provide a link from our site. I believe that this will be helpful to our fellow Filipino’s since we are offering immigration services exclusive for Filipinos who are applying for US visa. Thank you.