An applicant’s eligibility for a tourist visa will be determined at the time of the interview with a consular officer. To qualify for a visa, the applicant must be able to prove that he or she is not an intending immigrant by demonstrating sufficiently strong familial, social, professional, and economic ties to a country outside the United States that would compel return after a temporary stay in the U.S.
Consular officers will look at each application individually and consider the applicant’s travel plans and ties outside the U.S. that would ensure departure after a temporary visit. Consular officers generally use the information in the DS-160 application to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a tourist visa.
Applicants may bring supporting documents to validate their purpose of travel and ties to their home country. Examples of supporting documents are invitation letters from U.S. sponsors, employment certification, and bank statements. All documents must be originals. The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit does not accept documents before the interview.
However, applicants must be aware that presentation of supporting documents does not guarantee visa issuance. Supporting documents may or may not be requested from visa applicants, and consular officers often do not look at them. Consular officers may choose to look at supporting documents only when there are items in the application form or in the interview that require clarification. If an officer would like to view your documents, he/she will ask for them during the interview. There is no need to present documents if the officer does not ask for them.
An affidavit of support, sponsors’ bank statements and guarantee letters, and posting of bonds are not requirements for tourist visa applicants. These are not considered as familial, social, economic, or professional ties that can affect the applicant’s eligibility for a visa. Each applicant will be evaluated on his/her own merits, and not on the merits of his/her sponsor in the U.S.
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good afternoon! i have been going through the website and have not come across much information about applying for L2 visa. My husband is now in the US with an L1 visa. We just got married in June and I will be applying this month. I was wondering if I need more documents to present since it says here that “Each applicant will be evaluated on his/her own merits, and not on the merits of his/her sponsor in the U.S.” I believe I have all the supporting documents from his part, our relationship and the marriage and documents proving of my identity. Your reply will be much appreciated. Thank you!
Ramona, the application requirements for L-2 visa are provided in our website.. In addition to the basic documentary requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants, L-2 visa applicants are required to provide a copy of the principal’s current nonimmigrant visa, copy of all required documents of the principal applicant, and proof of relationship (original marriage certificate printed on Philippine National Statistics Office security paper).
Thank you so much for your reply. God bless..
hello, does K1 visa applicant really need to bring bank statement from fiance during interview?
Emmy, you should bring an I-134 and tax documents from your petitioner. If your petitioner’s income is below the federal poverty guidelines, you should also bring other evidence of assets, such as bank statements.
Hello, My Mom can’t speak and had a hard time to understand English, she’s 64 years old, she can’t used computer as well. I would like to know if I can apply DS 160 application online (non immigrant Visa- tourist) in her behalf? I’m currently in US and I was wondering if I can input her information online here in US? Thanks.
Bhelle, a third party can assist an applicant in completing the DS-160 application. However, the applicant is required to electonically sign and submit the application.The electronic signature certifies that the applicant has read and understood the questions in the application and that the answers are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief. If you will be the one to accomplish your mom’s DS-160, she must retrieve the DS-160 that you accomplished for her using the application ID number and answering a security question. To retrieve the application, she or the other person who will assist her should go to the DS-160 online application page, choose “Option C-Retrieve An Application”. The information that you entered will populate the form. Your mom must check that the information that you entered is accurate. Then, she must click the “Sign Application” button and submit the form. Then, she must print the DS-160 confirmation page and bring it to her interview together with all the requirements provided in our website.
Hi. I need your advice. My B1/B2 (eligible for VRP) is under my married name. The marriage was annulled 5 years ago. If I want to change my visa back to my single name do I need to go through an interview with the consulate? Do I get a slim chance of being approved now that I am single? What documents do I need to bring?
Thanks you.
Elenn, if you are qualfiied for VRP, you would know If an interview is required within two business days of your appointment. When you appear at the Embassy at your VRP appointment, you should bring your valid passport, appointment letter, DS-160 confirmation page, one 2” x 2” standard photo, and all prior passports and U.S. visas. You should also bring your marriage annulment decree printed on the Philippine National Statistics Office security paper. The decree must specify that you are allowed to revert to your maiden name. Information about VRP is provided in this blog post.
To qualify for a visitor visa, you must be able to prove that you are not an intending immigrant by demonstrating sufficiently strong familial, social, professional, and economic ties to a country outside the United States that would compel return after a temporary stay in the United States.
Good morning. My uncle invited me to visit him. He is a priest for almost 20 years in US and citizen. I have supporting documents from him. Aside from passport 2×2 photo and DS-160 confirmation page what documents do i need to bring? i am a nurse and i don’t have a job right now and planning to take another examination. i don’t have any documents to present like employment certificate. I will be applying this month or in 1st week of September. As mentioned above says “An affidavit of support, sponsors’ bank statements and guarantee letters, and posting of bonds are not requirements for tourist visa applicants. These are not considered as familial, social, economic, or professional ties that can affect the applicant’s eligibility for a visa. Each applicant will be evaluated on his/her own merits, and not on the merits of his/her sponsor in the U.S. I need your advice please.Thanks
Judith, besides your DS-160, photo, and passport, you do not need to bring any documents to your tourist visa interview. The consular officer will review your application on your own merits, not on your uncle’s merits. You do not need to bring any supporting documents from your uncle.
hi, i need your help, this regard to my NOA1 and NOA2 because my first name spells Emmylou but on my NOA1 and NOA2 that my fiance sent me which i notice it spells Emmy Lou and on the letter from NVC it spellls Emmylou, does it will affect my application for F1? my interview date will be on Oct 18, 2012…please help me.
thank you and more power.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
No, it will not affect your F1 application. We correct information based on the passport submitted on the day of your interview.
Good day.
If I submit a DS160 and indicated my existing US Visa number, will that invalidate my existing US Visa?
I need to travel via US after submitting the DS160 but prior to my interview appointment and I want to make sure that doing so would not cause any problems to my existing US Visa.
Alvin, as long as your visa is still valid, you can use it to travel.
hi, i need your help, this regard to my NOA1 and NOA2 because my first name spells Emmylou but on my NOA1 and NOA2 that my fiance sent me which i notice it spells Emmy Lou and on the letter from NVC it spellls Emmylou, does it will affect my application for F1? my interview date will be on Oct 18, 2012…please help me.
thank you and more power.
You may inform Embassy personnel regarding your concerns on the day of your interview. Necessary corrections will be made at that time.
Thanks for your response in my previous post. In case I am denied a visa on my upcoming interview appointment for visa renewal, would I still be able to use the remaining few months validity of my existing visa?
Alvin, if you are determined not to be qualified for a visa, your current visa will be canceled.
HI,
My name is harold and i am a gay citizen from Philippines im 22 year old and newly graduate and still dependent on my family. I have a boyfriend and he is from cape town and he a 39 y/o Gay white african and who lived permanent there. We have a plan to visit him to celebrate our birthdays next year and i’m gonna stay at his place for 2 and a half months, i know philippines are required to have a visa but my question is? what is the procedure of sponsorship and if he gonna send me a invitation letter do he need notarizes all the documents?? hope you can help me with my problem ^^
Harold, you are welcome to apply for a nonimmigrant visitor visa by complying with the procedures provided in the Nonimmigrant Visas website. In evaluating the application, the consular officer will look at an applicant’s travel plans and ties outside the United States that will ensure departure after a temporary visit to the U.S. To qualify for a visa, you must be able to prove that you are not an intending immigrant by demonstrating sufficiently strong familial, social, professional, and economic ties to a country outside the United States that would compel return after a temporary stay in the United States. You may bring supporting documents to validate your purpose of trip such as invitation letters from U.S. sponsors and the documents must be originals. However, please be aware that presentation of supporting documents does not guarantee visa issuance. Supporting documents may or may not be requested from visa applicants. Consular officers may look at supporting documents only when there are items in the application form or in the interview that require clarification. More information about evaluating visa applications is provided in our website.
Hi I am applying for an H-1b visa. The petition of my employer has been already approved and I just received the documents today but I am quiet concerned regarding my full name. Is this going to be okay if I’ll show the documents to the consulate in Manila? because they got my full name incorrect. Instead of Exuphil June as my first name, they had it as Exuphil only and make my second name June as my middle name instead of Villocillo. There’s no problem with my last name ‘coz they got it right, Bantoto. Is this really okay? They might use this as a plausible reason to deny me for a working visa. Thank you. Your reply will be much appreciated. God bless.=)
Exuphil, applicants are required to present a copy of Form I-129 and the original Form I-797 filed under their correct name. You or your petitioner must directly coordinate with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States on how to correct your name on the petition. Thank you.
I have an existing US Visa but I need to get a new passport for changing my status and married name. Can I still use my visa under my single name and attach the old passport to the new one or do I have to obtain a new visa?
Christine Joy, a nonimmigrant visa is generally valid for use before its expiration date provided that the visa is in good condition and has not been tampered with or altered in any way. If your valid U.S. visa reflects your maiden name and you have a new passport under your married name, you may present to the U.S. immigration officer at the port of entry a legal document, such as marriage certificate printed on the Philippine National Statistics Office security paper, attesting to the change of the surname every time you travel to the United States. If you wish to have a visa in your married name and in a new passport, you must reapply for a visa. The application procedures are provided in our website. Please be aware that a visa may only be used to apply for entry to the United States. Visa holders are subject to inspection at the port of entry by officials of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who have the sole authority to allow or deny anyone admission.
Hi! I’m done with my vrp appointment last monday, sept 24. I’d like to know when is my passport and visa coming. The consular officer tells me to wait for 7 days if there needs to be additional questions or clarifications. I did not proceed to the interview/ third step. After the fingerprinting i was sent home.
My brother also applied for vrp last may and it was delivered to him on a friday after his appointment on a monday that same week.
My parents reveived their passports with new visa thru vrp in 4 days too!
I’m just wondering what’s taking mine to be a little delayed? And when i rechecked on the web where i have to log in, there seems to be no indication of any progress or update with regards to the status. So i sent an email. Still, no response. I even checked 2go and entered the ucis no first then my passport on the second attempt- both says invalid on the tracking page. And the chat link is not even working.
Any insights pls? Thank you!
Laine, you can contact the Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Unit via email at ConsManilaNIV@state.gov to inquire on the status of your application. Please provide your full name, passport number, and date of birth. You can also call the NIV helpline at (02)301-2104, anytime from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, Manila time, except U.S. and Philippine holidays.
Hi! I’m writing you on behalf of my mother in-law who is residing in the philippines. my mother in-law apply for a non-immigrant visa.her first application is last june 18,2012 after her interview they told her the she did not establish your social family and economic ties outside of the united states. so they gave her a piece of paper that indicate what she will gonna need if she will be reapplying again. so we decided that my mother-in law will gonna apply for non-immigrant visa for the second time because she already gather all the documents that they need! so she got an appointment last october 26, 21012 her experience and the interview in manila embassy is not so good.
1. they ask my mother in law the basic question like ( what is her name, birthday and age and that was it . and she went to the final interviewer so they ask her what is her purpose going to united states. so she answer the question and the interviewer say sorry i cant give you a visa.
so my mother in law ask why? that she can’t get a visa! and they give her the same letter that she got on her first interview. and mother in law offer her documents that she got but the consul is being unrespectful to my mother in law. why the interviewer didnt give her a chance to show her documents that they need why she just told her that i don’t need that? she got all the documents that they need from her. i dont really understand how you process the non immigrant visa your client have all her documents but they didn’t gave her to chance to look at it. all she want is to see her new grandson here and the consular thinks that she will be working here. Thank you your reply is really appreciated.
Kristine, your mother-in-law can send an email to the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit at ConsManilaNIV@state.gov if she wants to clarify why she did not qualify for the visa. She should provide her full name, passport number, and date of birth. In general, applicants must be able to convince the interviewing officer that he or she is not an intending immigrant by demonstrating sufficiently strong familial, social, professional and economic ties to a country outside the United States that would compel return after a temporary stay in the United States. Ties are various aspects of one’s life that bind one to his or her country of residence, like one’s profession, employment, social and family relationships, and properties. All of these factors are considered in the process, and U.S. immigration law requires that the visa application be refused if these strong ties are not apparent.
You also mentioned your mother-in-law’s supporting documents. Please note that although applicants may bring supporting documents to their interview, these documents may or may not be requested from the applicant. Consular officers generally use the information in the DS-160 application to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa. Consular officers may look at supporting documents only when there are items in the application form or in the interview that require clarification. More information on how applications are evaluated is provided in our website. Thank you.
Hello Sir or Madam:
I need sample letter for an invitation letter which my mother in law will bring to the US Embassy.
Thank you.
Elena, we are unable to provide a sample invitation letter. In general, an invitation letter should contain information about the purpose and date of the trip, and where the applicant plans to stay. Please note that consular officers may not always look at supporting documents such as an invitation letter, unless there are points in the application form or in the interview that need clarification. Thank you.
Hello,i am a medical student in South America seeking to go into the US to do my clinical clerkship.I have letters from the hospital in the US and my school.My sponsor (Uncle) lives in the states but my parents live back home in Africa.I want to know if my sponsor being a US resident could be a disadvantage for me.Also,i have his sponsorship letter and his bank statement a little older than six months,does it matter that the documents are that old? this is because i used them already last i went for the interview 5months ago and was denied but they didn’t even look at my documents.My school has sorted the problem with the Embassy,i am thinking of using the documents again though i got fresh documents from school and the hospital but my Uncle traveled and can’t get me fresh documents right now.Could i use his documents again? interview is in few days.Thanks.
Hi Joshua. The nonimmigrant visa application form often has sufficient information to enable an interviewing officer to make a determination as to whether an applicant would qualify for a visa. Consular officers may not always look at supporting documents, unless there are points in the application form or in the interview that need clarification. Otherwise, decisions are made based on the interview and the information on the form. An affidavit of support, sponsors’ bank statements and guarantee letters, and posting of bonds are not requirements for tourist visa applicants. These are not considered as familial, social, economic, or professional ties that can affect the applicant’s eligibility for a visa. Each applicant will be evaluated on his/her own merits, and not on the merits of his/her sponsor in the U.S.