How to apply for a US tourist visa?

How do I apply for a US Tourist Visa? How long would it take and how much would it cost?

• I have been to the US Government Immigration Website...honestly, it was no help at all! All I want to know it how long it would take and how much it would cost me. I also want to know what particular documents you need to present together with your application. BTW, I'll be coming from the Philippines.

• Answer:

  Are you Filipino? I know you mentioned you'd be coming from the Philippines but I'd like to confirm your nationality as there might be a different procedure for other nationalities. If you are a Filipino, US visa application form is $100. You may go to a BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) branch and pay for the visa application form. They would give you a DS-157 form (Nonimmigrant Visa Supplemental Application Form) that you would need to fill out and bring with you during your visa interview. In addition to this, you need fill out a DS-156 form online via the US Embassy website (https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp). After completing the form, the system will generate a bar code and you would need to print this out and bring it with you during your interview. How do you get an interview schedule? You may call their call center at 1-909-101-7878 but this will cost Php 53 per minute so I suggest if you are internet savvy, to schedule an appointment online via VisaPoint (https://www.us-visaservices.com/philippines/securedefault.htm) and it'll only cost you $10. (It's pretty easy, I tried it myself). How long will it take you to get an appointment? It depends..right now the next estimated available appointment date is June 1st. So I'd say you could get an appointment during the first week of June at the least. This is pretty GOOD! I remember in the past, I called for an appointment and was scheduled 3 months after! They've improved their processes a lot : ) Documents to present? You need to establish that you are returning to the Philippines so a marriage certificate (if you're married) and kids' birth certificates (if applicable) would be helpful! Land titles, car registration, bank statements would all be helpful as well. My personal tip for you is to just be honest.. If you have sincere and honest intentions, it will come out in the way you speak, and in your gestures and the consul would see these. oh, by the way, don't forget to bring at least Php 200 extra for the courier fee (varies on destination) if you get that "yellow slip" that says you'll be issued a visa!!! : ) good luck! : )