Who needs a US B1/B2 visa?
Filipino citizens need a visa to visit the United States for tourism, visiting family, medical treatment or short business trips. The B1/B2 visitor visa covers all of these. The Philippines is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not an option for Philippine passport holders.
Step-by-step: how to apply for a US visa from the Philippines
- Complete the DS-160 online application on the US Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center. Save your application ID and print the confirmation page with the barcode.
- Create your appointment profile and pay the visa fee (MRV fee) through the official appointment system linked from the US Embassy in the Philippines ↗. Fees are set by the US government and can change, so check the current amount before paying.
- Schedule your interview at the US Embassy in Manila. Wait times vary a lot through the year, so check early.
- Attend the interview with your passport, DS-160 confirmation and appointment confirmation. Bring supporting documents in case the officer asks for them.
- Receive your passport by delivery or pick-up if your visa is approved.
Some applicants renewing a recently expired US visa may qualify for an interview waiver. Eligibility rules are set by the embassy and change from time to time.
Documents to bring to your US visa interview
Required:
- Valid Philippine passport (and any old passports with US visas)
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Appointment confirmation
- Photo meeting US visa specifications, if your uploaded photo was not accepted
Supporting documents (bring them, but only show them when asked):
- Certificate of employment with salary, position and approved leave, or business registration (DTI/SEC, mayor's permit) if self-employed
- Income Tax Return and recent payslips
- Bank certificate and statements
- Proof of ties to the Philippines: property, family, ongoing studies
- Travel history: previous visas and stamps
- Invitation letter and the host's status documents, if visiting family
What the consular officer is looking for
Under US law, every visitor-visa applicant is presumed to intend to immigrate until they show otherwise. The officer wants to see strong ties to the Philippines, a clear and believable purpose and the ability to pay for the trip. Interviews are short, so your answers need to be clear, honest and consistent with your DS-160.
- Answer the question asked — briefly and truthfully
- Know your own DS-160: dates, employer, travel history, who you are visiting
- Do not memorise scripts or bring fake documents. Misrepresentation can lead to a permanent bar
If you are refused under Section 214(b)
A 214(b) refusal means the officer was not convinced of your ties or intent at that moment. It is not permanent. You can reapply, but it only makes sense when something meaningful has changed or you can present your situation more clearly. See our guide on what to do after a visa refusal.
This guide is general information compiled by VisaReady PH, an independent private consultancy. It is not legal advice and is not issued by any embassy or government agency. Requirements, fees and procedures change without notice, so always confirm the current official checklist before you apply.