Filipino's guide to applying
for US tourist visas abroad

TEMPORARY visitor visas are issued to foreign nationals abroad -- this includes millions of overseas Filipino workers -- who have valid, legitimate reasons to visit the United States and could prove that he/she is returning to the country of residence after the temporary visit.

Normally, temporary visitor visas (popularly known as tourist visas, but officially are the B-1/B-2 categories) are issued to individuals who are applying for visas in their country of origin or nationality. B-1 is a nonimmigrant visa issued to individuals who are going to the US temporarily for business or related to their professions; B-2 is the visa for temporary visit for pleasure ö visiting relatives, friends, or simply visiting tourist destinations in the United States.

Other than visiting friends, relatives or going to the US for short periods of time for business-related trips, there are other types of nonimmigrant visas that a Filipino overseas could apply for. Other categories include crewmen/women (C-1/D visa); treaty traders and investors (E1 and E2); students in academic or language programs (F-1); students in vocational courses (M); temporary workers and trainees (H), journalists or members of foreign information media (I) exchange visitors (J) fiancé(e) of a US citizen (K); intra-company transferees -- managers or executives of multinational companies (L); parents of certain special immigrants (N); temporary workers of extraordinary ability (O); athletes and entertainers (P) cultural exchange workers (Q) and religious workers (R).

The newest version of the Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS 156 and DS 157 Supplement) lists the types of documents that a tourist visa applicant must prepare during the interview. Except for some categories, the Department of State requires visa applicants to personally appear before a consul to apply for the visa.

In most cases, the application is made before a consular officer in the consular district in which the alien resides. The consular officer, however, is authorized to use his or her discretion to accept a nonimmigrant visa application from a foreign national who is physically present, but is not residing in the consular district.

Residence as defined under Section 101(a)(33) of the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, is the alien's principal, actual dwelling place without regard to intent. Further, the Foreign Affairs Manual of the Department of State -- the consul's guide for visa issuance -- defines residence as "the place and from which the alien conducts his/her life. It is not necessarily the place where the alien actually is at any given moment."

The documents to be presented before a consul, therefore, should prove that the applicant is maintaining residence or conducts his/her life in the consular district. Required documents are the last three (3) months monthly bank statements or bank passbook; the current and all previously issued passports. Not required but essential are: employment certification indicating the applicant's job, salary and inclusive dates of hire; credit card statements for the last three (3) months, if applicable; marriage and/or birth certificates from the national agency issuing said documents (National Statistics Office, not just the local civil registrars); proof of ownership of personal or real properties such as vehicle registration, land titles.

Because of the continued emphasis on security, visa applicants -- and documents being submitted -- are subject to scrutiny. In fact, the DS 157 supplement was created to ask information about the applicant's previous visits to other countries, training in explosives, firearms, as well as specific nature and contact persons in the United States.

Worldwide, the total number of persons visiting the US has not reached the pre-Sept. 11, 2001, level. As of April 2003, statistics from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) show that the number of visitors inspected at ports of entry decreased about 1,967,000 compared to March 2003. The same comparison for last fiscal year showed a decrease of about 1,824,000. The seasonally adjusted inspections decreased 23 percent between August 2001 and October 2001, but have increased less than one percent since then. The total number of seasonally adjusted inspections has decreased 10 percent since December 2001.

Bucking global trend, Filipinos continue to post increased number of visa applicants. Consular officials say approximately 200,000 nonimmigrant visas were issued last year. And the US embassy in Manila interviews anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 applicants a day, six days a week.
Filipinos abroad

I would assume that most Filipinos overseas who wish to visit the United States temporarily are employed, contract workers or pursuing activities related to their profession. A Filipino who is also temporarily assigned overseas -- not on a long-term contract -- would find it difficult to apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a consular post other than the US embassy in Manila because the applicant's residence and ties would be in question. In some Middle Eastern countries where exit visas are required, it would be prudent to show a current letter of employment, authorization to be off work (paid leave); and the exit visa as well.

Answers to questions on form:

Shown below are guidelines on what the questions on the form require from you, the applicant:

1. Other surnames used (maiden, professional, religious, aliases). Surnames refer to family names. If you are a female applicant, then the other surname would be:

o your last name (your father's surname) before you got married;

o the name of your previous husband, if you have since remarried and are now using your present husband's last name.

For all applicants:

o a professional name you have used such as Tito Sotto instead of Vicente Sotto;

o religious name such as Sister Maria Teresa Avila (as the name you chose when you became a nun)

o aliases such as Jose Velarde if you are either Jaime Dichavez or Joseph Estrada.

2. Other first and middle names used? Most people now have two first names because of a Filipino family tradition to include the name of a grandfather, grandmother, a saint or in some cases, simply change the first name of the child (without court decision) because the parents believe the previous name could be bad luck or might be the reason for the child being sickly. For example, a person's birth certificate shows two first names, Christopher (named after a favorite actor of the mother) Steven (named after the favorite actor of the father) Cruz (family name of the mother, which is her father's surname) Lopez (the surname of the father).

However, when Christopher was baptized, the Catholic priest was insistent that a name of a saint should precede the child's name since Saint Christopher had already been taken off the list of saints. So John was added to the name of the baptized child. His complete name therefore is now John Christopher Steven Cruz Lopez.

While John Christopher was enrolled with the use of his baptismal certificate, the teacher for some reason took out the Christopher and included John Steven. All his school records and diplomas, therefore, show "John Steven Cruz Lopez." On the other hand, since he was well known in the neighborhood as Christopher, the election registrar put down his name on the Voters' List as Christopher Steven Lopez, leaving out the Cruz.

When John Steven Cruz Lopez was intending to apply for a tourist visa to the United States, he had to get his birth certificate from the National Statistics Office (NSO). That was when he first realized that he had three first names. Therefore, on the box asking for other first and middle names used, he should put "John, Christopher and Steven" as his first names and "Cruz" as his middle name.

3. What is the purpose of your trip? Be specific. If you are going to visit a relative of friend, say so: "To visit my 65-year-old mother in Chicago, Illinois." If you are going on a business-related trip such as "To confer with our fibrilator supplier in New Jersey," then write it down.

4. At what address will you stay in the US? If you are visiting a relative, put your relative's complete address -- and phone number. Do not forget the area code. This address should coincide with the "Contact Address" in the US on the other form, DS 157 Supplement.

5. How long do you intend to stay in the US? This will depend on the length of time you intend to be with your relatives, the amount of money you have in the bank to spend for the duration of your trip and how long you can be away from your job or business without jeopardizing your employment or income-generating opportunities.

6. What should I write on the back of the DS 157 Supplement where the bank's validation payment is? The back page of DS 157 is the place to print, type or legibly write your economic, social ties in your country of residence: your current job and monthly or yearly income; assets and income, real and personal properties you own. Real property refers to land, lot, house and lot; personal property includes your car, jewelry, furniture and fixtures.

7. How much money do you need to have? Most people merely ask, how much do I have to have in my bank account for the consul to believe that I am not planning to overstay in the US? There is no set amount. It depends on the reason for the visit, how long you intend to stay and what accommodations you have arranged for the duration of your visit.

How to apply

Pay 100 dollars or the peso equivalent at the authorized bank in your country of residence (in the Philippines it is the Bank of Philippine Islands or Citibank ). You will get the new DS 156 / 157 form with bar code. Check the visa application procedures of the US consulate or embassy in your country of residence. In the Philippines, they have instituted the call-in for interview schedule after paying the 100-dollar visa fee.

Prepare the documents required supporting your reason for going and evidence establishing your strong family, economic, social and community ties in the country of residence.