How to get a US Visa

This has got to be one of my nerve-wracking experiences. Hahaha! It’s a bit over acting but it’s true. This year, I’ve faced one of my ultimate fears in life, getting a US Visa. Hehehe.

To give you a background, I’ve already applied for a US Visa when I was in Highschool. It was disheartening as we are all excited to go to the states for my aunt’s wedding. I always thought that kids can easily apply a US Visa by just answering, “I want to see Mickey Mouse” or “I want to go to Disneyland” as their main purpose. Too bad we didn’t use that famous answer as we told the consult that we are going to be part of my aunt’s entourage. The consul was in her neutral disposition and just asked us “Why will they be pulled from school just to attend the wedding? The ceremony will still continue even if they’re not there.” and BOOM! A red stamp “Denied” was pressed in our passports. My mom re-applied again and she was granted a visa. Since then, I was terrified with the idea of applying for a US Visa. Haha!

Years passed with several countries visited, I decided to try my luck to apply for a US Visa. My mom has plans going there and I want to join her. Gah! This is freaking scary. The feeling I have when I am about to perform in a stage with a huge number of people is the same feeling I had days before the scheduled interview. With all these unnecessary stress, I surrendered everything and just prayed for His guidance. May His will be done!

So here’s the things I did before everything else:

1. Submit an online application via US Online
> Make sure you answer the items as accurate and honestly as possible. This can be the basis of your interview questions.

2. Upload a valid picture.
> This will help you save some time and money. Although it is required for you to bring a 2×2 picture on the day of the interview, if the pciture you uploaded passed the qualifications, you won’t need to submit a picture again. To be safe, upload a passport ready ID picture (e.g. no smiling, no jewelry, white background, etc.)

3. Pay the Visa fee via BPI Online or over the counter.
> I paid the fee via BPI Online. Take note of the unique number (Step 2) as it changes everytime you refresh the page or click the link. I paid Php 6720 for the fee and wait for 4 hours before it can be acknowledged by the US website. It took me more than 4 hrs though so just be patient. You can call their hotline after 8 hrs if the code is not yet recognized by the system.

4. Schedule an appointment for the interview.
> I booked my schedule at 8.30am since I’m living quite far from the Embassy. I was there 7am, giving me more time to settle down and relax a bit. They let me in the moment I got there.

5. Print and bring the CEAC confirmation letter from the Embassy and the email sent by the system that contains your appointment details.
> This will be the most important document you will be handling plus your passport on the day of the interview.

6. Valid Passport
> Your passport should be valid on the time of application.

On the day of the interview, it is best to be there hours before the appointment time to ensure your slot. I asked my mom to accompany me because I don’t know where the Embassy is. She willingly agreed and we left the house at 5am to be there on time. Guardians are not allowed and they are requested to wait near the underpass. Inside the Embassy, you are not allowed to bring any electronic gadgets and food/drinks inside the premises. You have to leave everything in the deposit area.

You will be given a number that will be attached with your confirmation letter. That’s the number you’ll have to remember for the rest of your stay in the Embassy. I got number: 2132. That’s your cue to move on to the next steps of the process.

As we (applicants) enter the Embassy, we were escorted by the staff and they briefed us on what to do, what to expect and where to go. There were 3 steps for the whole process:

Step 1: Initial Screening
> You will be grouped by 10 and line up for the first screening. Basic information is asked like name and purpose of travel.

Step 2: Finger Print Capturing
> This is when you have to be alert and check on the screens for your number. This is quite boring since you can’t read a book because you have to wait for your number to appear randomly. I was guilty that I was chatting with my seatmate during this period. Good thing the girl next to me who knows my number told me that my number was up and I need to go to the specific window for finger printing.

You will be asked to put your fingers in a small box and your fingerprints will be captured. That’s all you have to do on this step.

Step 3: Interview with the Consul
> This time, I was alert and was checking the screen for my number. At this point, I’m getting butterflies in my stomach. I just sat there praying and trying to do a Q&A portion in my head. I also noticed girls not so far from my age leaving the embassy with teary eyes or red eyes. Symptoms I assumed that they didn’t get approved.

Finally, my number showed up blinking “2132″ and go to window “6″ for the interview.

This is it, I said to myself. I stood steps behind the girl at window 6 waiting for her to finish. While I was waiting for my turn, I overheard the consul in window “5″. He didn’t grant the applicant a visa, all I know is that he’s requireing the person for more “strong ties in the Philippines”. Hearing that, I wanted to cry. Hahaha! I’m so scared that I get affected with everything I see. However, the girl before me was granted a visa so I had a little glimmer of hope.

Interview Session with a female American Consul:

Consul: Hi, Good Morning!
Me: Good Morning Ma’m! (sympre with matching sweet smile. hahaha!)

Consul: So what’s the purpose of your travel?
Me: (nanginginig pa..) Uhm, for tour and to visit my relatives as well.

Consul: Where are you going to stay in the US?
Me: I’ll be staying at California since my aunt lives there.

Consul: How long are you going to stay with your aunt?
Me: Uhm not only with my aunt but… I’ll spend around 2 weeks for the whole duration of my stay.

Consul: So where else have you been to before going to the US?
Me: I’ve been to Europe, Australia, Japan, China, Hongkong, Macau…. (I was so nervous I forgot to say other countries in Asia.. I just told her the 1st world countries first and after that I’m not looking at her anymore. I was trying to recap everything in my head so I was looking upwards while enumerating the countries. I do have a list with me but didn’t bother to get it since I think it’s not necessary)

Consul: When did you go to Australia?
Me: 2009 and 2010. I’ve been there twice. (Pa-impress pa ko kunwari. hahaha!)

Consul: Okay, when did you go to Europe?
Me: I was there 2005.

Consul: And what did you do in Europe?
Me: I was a delegate of UST for the World Youth Day in Germany and then toured in the neighboring countries after the celebration.

Consul: Oh, that’s nice. I’ve seen here that you also applied for a Visa last 1997?
Me: Yes (in a sad frustrated tone..hehehe!)

Consul: Okay, your visa is approved. We will mail it to you at the address you’ve indicated on the application.
Me: Thank you very much. Would that be all?
Consul: Yes, that would be all. Thank you.

YES!!!! If only I can jump and scream inside the Embassy, I would but my Visa might be compromised if I did that. Hahaha! I was so happy that I greeted everyone I see with a smile and a good morning! Hehehe. It was 10am when I finished. Fair enough said my mom. I left the Embassy and looked for my mom. I saw lots of moms waiting for their child too. Infairness, one mom thought that I’m a College student applying for a visa for OJT or international internship. I said no and I just applied for a US Tourist Visa. After some time, I saw my mom and told her the good news! Wooohoo! I really can’t believe it. Finally, US is within reach for me. Next problem, plane ticket! Hahaha!

By the way, here are the documents I have on hand in case the Consul asked for a supporting docs:
- Certificate of Employment
- ITR
- Bank Certificates
- Payslips (for the last 3 months)
- Credit Card Bills (for the last 3 months)
- Travel Itinerary
- Mom’s Visa (since I will go with her)
- Previous Passports with Visa labels

Luckily in my case, I didn’t get to show a single document I brought that day. Thank God everything went well. After 3 working days, I got an SMS from 2Go and an email from the Embassy stating that they already dispatched my passport. Here’s the email:

Dear ,

Your document(s) have been collected from the US Embassy/Consulate.

The passport number being returned is and the airway bill for tracking is

You have chosen to have your documents delivered to the following locations:

2GO – SM Megamall, LGF Bldg B SM Megamall, Mandaluyong Metro Manila 1550.

If you have any issues or concerns, please contact us at www.ustraveldocs.com/ph.

Surprisingly, I got a Multiple Entry visa valid for 10 years! Yippeeee!! Now, I pray for blessings to be able to buy a ticket to the US. Hahahaha!

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