Applying for a US Visa (2012)

To start with, I have an expired L-1 US visa and had been in the US a number of times.  

The first time I applied for a tourist visa was in 1990 and was denied at that time.  It might be because I haven't been to any other country then, meaning I haven't established a reputation that I would be going back to the Philippines.

Fast forward to today, after having been to different countries, I decided to try my luck in applying for a tourist visa (B1/B2). 

Here is the application process from the Embassy of the United States in the Philippines.
 
Here are the basic requirements:

• Filled up DS-160 form (submit online and print out)
• Passport (at least 6 months valid from the date of intended departure); all prior passports and US visas, if available
• 2x2 photo (photo requirements) 

Payment for the visa can be made via BPI (online or through their branches) or BancNet online.  I paid for it at a BPI branch, and in this case, presentation of passport is required.  The visa fee is valid for one year after the date of actual payment (interview must fall within this period).  You might need to wait for some hours before the payment is posted and for you to proceed with the application.

Next, you would need to schedule your interview.  On the day of your interview, please make sure you are at the embassy at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time.  Do not bring any electronics (i.e. cellphone, iPad, USB thumb drive), unless it's ok with you to leave these things to those persons outside the embassy offering to keep it for you for a fee.  It might also be better to have another government-issued ID to present upon entry.
 
There is no mention of supporting documents but it would be better to have them ready for the interview.  Here's what I prepared:

• Certificate of Employment
• Bank Certificate
• ITR
• Birth Certificate  

These are mostly the same documents I prepared for the other 2 visas (Japan and South Korea) I applied for.

Minutes before the scheduled time, there would be a line outside the embassy depending on the schedule.  Prepare your Appointment confirmation, DS-160, payment receipt and passport.  It would be checked there.  Then, you will go through security check.  After that, you would proceed to a window where you would be given a number.  Once you have a number, you would now have to proceed to the waiting area.  Be alert when your number (or within the number range) is called by a staff.  They'll let you inside the building even before your number is flashed on the screen.  The first time your number is flashed, your documents (DS-160, passport) will be checked by the embassy personnel.  The second time would be for biometrics.  The third (and last) time would be for the interview with the consul.

I've been asked a few questions by the consul and after that he gave me a slip for claiming of my passport.  Woohoo! I passed (parang exam lang).  He hadn't even asked for additional documents.

So now I proceeded to the payment for the delivery of my passport.  Since there might not be anybody to receive it at home, I preferred to just pick it up at 2Go Megamall branch.

The whole process could take hours, depending on the number of persons already in the embassy when you got there.  So, it's better to select an early schedule.  Also, visa approval is not guaranteed, that still depends on the analysis of the consul/embassy.

After 3 or 4 days, I received a message that my passport is already available for pick-up in Megamall.  I'm very thankful they gave me a 10-year multiple entry visa.  Now, it's time to save up for a US vacation.