DIY U.S. Visa Application Approved!

I just picked up my passport and I got approved for a B1/B2 10-year Multiple Entry Visa! ✨️ Sharing my experience in case it might help someone. At first I had no idea how to start applying for the U.S. Visa, so I just started watching youtube videos from Vhino Ramos and The Poor Traveler and I found those very helpful.

Profile:

• 27/F, Single

• Dentist in my own dental clinic (clinic has been running for almost 4 years)

• Travelled to 8 countries in the last 5 years

• No immediate relatives in Ph, but in the DS-160 Form I checked YES under other relatives since I have some cousins in the U.S.

One thing that I was worried about in my DS-160 Form:

1. I didn't put my middle name, because there was no space for it. I was worried since some people said in the Facebook group that it should be indicated. I didn't edit my DS-160 form and just hoped for the best. At the day of my biometrics schedule, I asked the staff if it's needed– she said indicating the middle name in the form is just OPTIONAL.

Biometrics: September 16

Parking was available at the basement of Parqal Mall. I paid Php 50 for around 2 hours. Biometrics was very straightforward. Once you arrive in the parking building, you can ask the guard there for the location of the biometrics area.

You queue in the line and just follow the people there. I brought: DS-160 Form, Application Confirmation Form, 2x2 photos.

Someone will guide you until the actual biometrics room. You'll do the biometrics and ID photo in the same window.

Note that if you wear contact lenses, chances are they're gonna ask you to remove it before proceeding with the photo. This woman in front of me was asked to remove her contacts, she just got some water from the cooler there and took it off.

Interview: September 24 8:15am

My attire: Black linen dress until my calf, square neck with spaghetti strap + 3/4 black blazer with lapel. Closed toe shoes.

I think the attire doesn't matter as much as I thought it would because a lot of people were just wearing casual clothes and got approved. Some wearing a full suit and tie and got denied. I think what matters the most is that you look presentable.

I got there around 7am, parking was along the road in front of Coffee Bean, the parking attendant asked me to pay Php 200, and he said I could park there for the entire day. I dropped my bag in the Baggage House above coffee bean, fee was Php 160.

I went in at 7:30am and the queue was already long. They were already accepting applicants scheduled for 9:00am.

Step 1: Screening, they'll ask you questions there already like your full name, birthday, where in the U.S. you'll go and how long will you stay.

Step 2: Biometrics again.

Step 3: Interview

I forgot which window I was, it was tge second window in front of Step 2, and the interviewer was male, white, around mid to late 30s. He looked charming and kind, and the interview proper was pretty casual.

Questions were:

1. Why are you going to the U.S.? –For a vacation in New York.

2. How long? –Two weeks.

3. Oh you're sole proprietor of your own clinic, how long has it been operating? –Almost 4 years.

4. Do you have any employees? –I have 1 dental assistant.

5. Wow, I see you've been to Kazakhstan, what did you do there? –I travelled with a friend.

6. Was Kazakhstan beautiful? My friends keep asking me to go but I never get the chance. –Yeah it's very beautiful, I recommend you go as well! 😊

Alright, you're approved! You'll have your passport back in a week.

Issued Visa (CEAC): September 25

Email notification for passport pick up: September 26

Picked it up today! Approval dust for everyone! ✨️