How to Apply for a U.S. Tourist Visa From the Philippines
Learn how to apply for a B1 or B2 visa for U.S. travel when you’re from the Philippines
Are you from the Philippines and planning a trip to the United States? Filipino nationals looking to travel to the U.S. for temporary tourism or business purposes must first obtain a B-1/B-2 travel visa in order to enter the country.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to apply for a U.S. tourist visa from the Philippines, what steps to take, and other helpful tips for Filipino applicants.
Want more information on travel visa costs, processing times, and requirements? We can help. Learn more about what Boundless can do to help.
Completing the Travel Visa Application
Filing Form DS-160
The first step in the travel visa process for every Filipino applicant is filing Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application). Form DS-160, filed online, requests basic information about the applicant’s life in the Philippines, their intended trip to the U.S., and any past immigration history.
You can learn more about filing Form DS-160 in Boundless’ guide, including what questions to expect and how the online submission process works.
Travel Visa Costs
When filing the DS-160, all applicants are required to pay a $185 government filing fee. The fee must be paid upfront. Filipino applicants can pay by one of the following payment methods:
- Paying by cash at a bank: Print out a deposit slip, make the $185 payment in a Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI), and save the payment slip/receipt to bring to your visa appointment later in the process.
- Paying online: You can pay the $185 filing fee online if you are a client of Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) or using the online platform PesoNet.
You can find more details about completing your travel visa application payment on the U.S. government’s website here.
Visa Appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Manila
Embassy Information
All nonimmigrant visa applications filed in the Philippines (including tourist visa applications) are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Manila:
U.S. Embassy in Manila
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Manila, Philippines 1000
(+63) 2 5301-2000
Scheduling Your Appointment
After you’ve filed your travel visa application, the next step is to schedule your visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. In order to schedule your appointment, you’ll need your DS-160 confirmation page and fee payment receipt, to prove you have a pending tourist visa application.
Appointment availability at the U.S. Embassy in Manila fluctuates, depending on demand at the time you are applying and the current visa backlog. The embassy recommends that travel visa applicants start the application process well in advance of their intended travel dates to the U.S. to avoid long appointment wait times.
You can calculate your estimated appointment wait time on the State Department’s official appointment tracker. As of March 2023, the current wait time for a B visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Manila is 144 calendar days.
Preparing for the Travel Visa Interview
Once you’ve scheduled your visa appointment, it’s time to prepare for your travel visa interview!
The visa interview can feel like the most stressful part of the tourist visa process, but you don’t have to go through the process on your own. We’ve put together a helpful guide on how to prepare for your travel visa interview with confidence and compiled a list of common interview questions to practice from.
Travel Visa Tips for Filipinos
Tips for Tourist Visa Approval
Now that you’ve read up on the travel visa process, is there anything you can do to increase your chances of getting approved? Boundless put together some helpful tips on how to strengthen your B1/B2 application and navigate all of the tricky travel visa requirements. Check them out here!
Travel Insurance
Once your travel visa is approved and you’re starting to plan your trip, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance for your time in the U.S. Healthcare in the U.S. is notoriously expensive, so temporary travel insurance plans can help reduce any emergency medical costs. Travel insurance can also alleviate the financial burden of travel mishaps, such as lost luggage, flight delays, and more.
Flying Into the U.S.
You’ve booked your flight and packed your bags — what’s next? Getting through the U.S. airport smoothly! If it’s your first time flying to the U.S., be sure to read up on what to expect for security protocols, U.S. customs, and required documents before boarding your flight.
Want more U.S. immigration help? Check out Boundless’ Philippines-specific visa guide for everything you need to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Filipino citizens who are issued a B-2 visa are subject to a reciprocity fee. The fee must be paid after the visa is approved but before it is issued. The exact amount can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.
Yes, you can apply for a U.S. visa from the Philippines, even if you have been refused in the past. However, it’s important that you understand the reasons for the refusal and address those in your new application.
You must apply at the U.S. Embassy in Manila where visa interviews are conducted. Applicants from any part of the Philippines can apply. However, they will need to travel to Manila for the interview.
If your other citizenship allows for visa-free travel or easier visa application process to the U.S., you might want to use that passport. Otherwise, you can apply with either, but make sure to use the same one throughout the entire process.
Holding a different U.S. visa in the past does not prevent you from applying for a tourist visa. During the application process, you will likely be asked about your previous stays in the U.S.