This was actually in effect since like last year, but just in case you didn't know....

US embassy in Manila issues new rules for visa application

By Veronica Uy
INQ7.net

STARTING November 1 this year, applicants for non-immigrant visas to
the United States would be required to use an electronic visa
application form available for free on the Internet, the US embassy
in Manila said in an advisory.

"The US Embassy will no longer accept handwritten or typed
applications after November 1," it said.

The new rule, the US embassy said, would speed up the interview and
application process, and save time for the applicants. About 1,000
Filipinos apply for US visas every day, one of the highest visa
applications in the world.

"[Applicants] will spend less time in the consular section on the day
of their interview since they won't have to wait for embassy staff to
manually collect information from handwritten or typed applications," it said.

Instead of writing their information by hand, applicants may download
and complete the form via the Internet, http://evisaforms.state.gov.
They will be required to bring a printout of the completed three-page
form with bar code to their interview. "When printed, each [form] has
a unique 2-D bar code that US Embassy staff can electronically scan
in order to input the applicant's information. Use of the [form],
which has been available online for more than three years, allows for
quicker and more accurate data entry," the advisory said.

The embassy said all other processes and requirements for applying
for a non-immigrant visa remain the same.

Hello!!!
Just wanna asked if your husband filed you k3? if he did, can you share the letter you got or what..thanks!!!
a bit confused about the letter i got...:-(

Hi NOandJO. Has your I-129f been approved? Have u received the letter from the US embassy?

They don't mail out the Packet 4 anymore. You can download that from the US Embassy website, as well as other important documents such as the DS-156 and DS-157. The first thing you have to do is to pay you NSO verification fee because that might cause considerable delay in the issuance of your visa so you have to do that asap (the instructions are in packet 4). Next, you have to call the US embassy to set up a visa interview. They will be emailing you a confirmation e-mail which you have to bring to your medical, as well as 2X2 pics on white background (plus your passport). You will also have to pay your visa bill at the designated BPi/Citibank branch (the list of designated branches are in packet 4).

Hope that helps! Message me if you have any more questions. =)

Hello! thanks for reply it helps sobra... yes we got the letter of my I29F from the us embassy. and my question is How to pay the Nso verification fee? and where? thanks a lot! not that confused now. I just have to Download the packet 4...do I have to bring the DS157 with me at the bank to pay visa application or no? or bank just validate my visa fee... please reply....thank you so much!

Hi! When you download packet 4 from the US Embassy website, there's a list of the things u need to bring to your interview and each item contains a link on how to go about acquiring that document. For example, there's a link the in document verification fee item that leads you to a page on how to pay your delbros at any metrobank branch (including account, number, amount to pay, SMS payment verification). As for your DS157, you can't just go to any bpi or citibank branch. There's a list of designated branches at packet 4, just choose which location is most convenient for you. You don't have to bring a copy of DS157. The bank will be the one to issue a validated DS157 for you. DON'T LOSE THE VALIDATED DS157 ISSUED BY THE BANK plus the receipt. The bank won't get even get your name or case number or anything. Your only proof of payment is that piece of paper. If you lose that, you'd have to pay 6,000+ again . Just photocopy that because u need to bring two copies to your interview. Hurry and pay your visa bill now before the dollar gets stronger against the peso and you'd end up paying more! heheheh.

Hello daisy! I just read your message. I would like to know about how to pay the verification fee? Im not confused now on how to work in my documents...did you pay the verification fee at the designated bank and is the verification fee form in the us embassy website? coz I want to pay the v. fee asap just like what you said....thanks please reply....
NOandJO

hi NOandJO,

this link will guide you in paying the document verification. i just successfully paid DELBROS awhile ago with the help of that link

Hello! Are you done already filing the DS156 online application form?
Can i ask what did u write on number 22. WHEN DO YOU INTEND TO ARRIVE IN THE U.S?, 26: HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND TO STAY IN THE U.S?, 27: WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR TRIP?....Thanks!!! please reply...

NoandJo

Hello! need help about the DS157 VISA APPLICATION FORM: QUESTION NUMBER: 22,26 and 27...thanks!!! i would like to know what you write HEHHE:-) thanks please share!!!!

Question 22: you can provide a tentative date or a projected date of arrival even if you haven't booked your ticket yet

QUestion 26: permanently; will apply for permanent residence (my first answer was "for the rest of my life" hahah!)

Question 27: Join US citizen spouse and apply for adjustment of status

Question 32: K3 applicant; will apply of work authorization (if you do plan on working)

hi NOandJO,

just follow this guide from VJ and here is the link where you can see more sample forms.

Good Luck!

Hello Daisy,thanks again...im.not.confused now..but if I have questions again ill send you message...how's your medical? lahat ba talaga undergo ng psych evaluation,..balitaan mko after your interview next...sa monday pa ako tawag sa call center to schedule my interview...anu mga proof of relationship ang prepare mo...by the way im jullie and my husband from new jersey...thanks daisy!!!

NOandJO
='daisychain' ='Jul 19 2008, 12:25 AM' post='2029721']
Question 22: you can provide a tentative date or a projected date of arrival even if you haven't booked your ticket yet

QUestion 26: permanently; will apply for permanent residence (my first answer was "for the rest of my life" hahah!)

Question 27: Join US citizen spouse and apply for adjustment of status

Question 32: K3 applicant; will apply of work authorization (if you do plan on working)
[/quote]

Hi! thanks for sharing!!!

Hello! I need your help again...I used my cellular phone for calling visa appointment but I can't connect...what did u use to make your appointment, landline? and it is ok to used my cellularphone to make my interview appointment? please reply asap! thanks!!!

NOANDJO

Hello! I need your help again...I used my cellular phone for calling visa appointment but I can't connect...what did u use to make your appointment, landline? and it is ok to used my cellularphone to make my interview appointment? please reply asap! thanks!!!

NOANDJO

Hello! I need your help again...I used my cellular phone for calling visa appointment but I can't connect...what did u use to make your appointment, landline? and it is ok to used my cellularphone to make my interview appointment? please reply asap! thanks!!!

NOANDJO

i tried that too but never connect even using my smart cell. what i did today is i went to pldt calling office. and its 85 pesos a minutes, can't believed it, i pay 1300!

i used pldt landline and i didn't encountered any prob. be sure to call USEM first to verify if you can already schedule your interview. the number is 301-2000 loc. 5185 look for grace. the best time to call USEM is around 8am.

if USEM will say that you can have your interview sched, then call the call center service 1-909-1017878. that's Php55 per minute.

if they say that they already receive your case but they haven't encoded it yet in their database (that means you can't schedule yet), then ask them on when can you get a sched and be sure that you'll call on that date.

NOTE:
*if you want to save money then verify first to USEM if you can already get a sched because it is a waste in calling the call center if you aren't legible yet in getting a sched (call center will just tell you to call again).
*be ready for your MNL Case number because USEM won't entertain you without it.

Hmmm Why should I call that local number? I already have my letter to schedule my visa appointment interview...
I appreciate your help.

Hello, Thanks a lot! I know now what to do....its ok about the phone calls charge hehehe more important you have your interview appointment...
Thanks!!!




NOandJO

o sry i didn't know that you already have that. all you need to do now is to call the call center using pldt landline. that is what i did and i NEVER had a hard time calling them.

good luck!

Hello, im done calling the visa hotline for my interview, i pay only 373 pesos hehehe:-)( 13 minutes call) i went to RCPI

that's great! Congrats!

Hi Daisy!

Thanks for the info. It's very helpful. I just call the USEM for scheduled interview, i got thru the line with just one ring at exactly 8am.

My question is about the medical exam. What laboratory test did you undergo? why two days? Please enlighten me...did St. Luke Medical gave you the medical result after the two day process. How would you know if everything is ok with your medical?

God bless you.

ness

Hi Nessie! I underwent xray, blood test, urine test, immunization interview and medical interrogation. Blood test for HIV, x-ray for TB or exposure to TB or suspicious lungs, urine test for pregnancy (and drugs too, assume). Medical interrogation is for medical history and also includes questions and drug use, communicable diseases such as STDs, suicide attempts, etc. etc. The reason why some people take several days to accomplish their medical varies. Some people are found to have suspicious lungs - this does not mean TB but just exposure to TB which is why they have to come back for a sputum test. Moreover, they can only administer the vaccine AFTER you get the result (warning: the line is long. wait time for immunization is 4 hours, or so I've heard!). In my case, I had to undergo psych evaluation cus of a scar in my wrist.

After your medical, you will come back after 2-3 days for the result. That's when you'll find out if you have to undergo a sputum test or what not, depending on the results of the examination. Some people have to undergo medication for two to three months for medication of TB or suspicious lungs, thereby delaying the interview. But if you haven't had cough that lasted longer than 3 weeks, no need to worry.

HOpe that helps!

wow....thanks for the prompt reply Daisy! highly appreciated.

nessie

Uh oh, I hope you already found a solution. But if not, you can only use a PLDT landline, or let your fiance call in the US. These is the data from the US embassy website:



The Importance of Becoming “Documentarily Qualified”

All case processing for Manila, including appointment scheduling, is generally done at the National Visa Center (NVC) in the U.S. An applicant’s case number does not determine his or her position in the scheduling queue. Once a case is current, the applicant’s place in the scheduling queue will be determined by the date all the necessary, completed documents are received at NVC. Then the case becomes “documentarily qualified.”
We believe the waiting time for an appointment date is approximately three (3) to five (5) months from the date the case is “documentarily qualified.” As soon as an appointment date does become available, NVC will forward the case to Embassy Manila. NVC will also send the petitioner and/or the authorized agent/representative an appointment package.
If a case has been current for over five (5) months and there is still no appointment date in the above link, check with NVC to ascertain the status of the petition. NVC’s mailing address is 32 Rochester Avenue , Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801-2909 , telephone number (603) 334-0700. Case inquiries can also be made by e-mail at: NVCInquiry@state.gov.


Visa Interview Appointments

If you already have a visa petition filed for you and your priority date is current or about to become current, you may check below for your appointment date. Just type your case number on the textbox and click the “Check Appointment” button.


Click here and check for your case number

If you have an interview date, but no time is indicated on your appointment letter, you should plan to appear at the Embassy at 7:30 a.m. on the date of your appointment. The database or listing is updated in the middle of each month. If you do not see an appointment date, check back after one month. Usually, this site carries appointment dates three (3) months out.


K Visa Interview Appointments

Starting March 19, 2008, those applying for K-1, K-2, K-3 and K-4 visas who have been notified by the Embassy to prepare for their interview can call 1-909-101-7878 (within the Philippines) to schedule an interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy. The cost of the 909 service is U.S. $0.98 per minute; this amount will be charged to your telephone bill.
Applicants, Agents or Petitioners calling from within the United States will also be able to use this service by calling 1-888-877-9888. The cost of the 888 service from the United States is a U.S. $18 PIN payable using a Visa or MasterCard once you have called into the service.
Applicants or their representatives must have the applicant’s Immigrant Case Number as given in the Embassy notification letter available when they call to schedule an appointment.
Callers can speak with an English or Tagalog speaking operator. The service is available to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, Manila local time.


or check it out yourself at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3238.html

hi, please help..I filed a I-130 for my husband still in the Philippines, I filed the petition last year and i'm just wondering how come I haven't gotten a NOA (Notice of Action)..Some people are so lucky because from what I've seen their petition didn't even take more than a year or even less..please help.what should I do, ???? I alredy received a receipt # but no notice of Action lyet./

Hi Daisy &Fellow VJ members

Anyone help please...i already have a KI visa scheduled interview on Sept. 12. May question is it alright to have my medical exam two weeks or one month before the scheduled interview.

Lastly, do i have to pay for the visa application fee now...since my interview schedule is on the 9/12 or can i pay it a week before the interview?

thanks in advance.

agnes

To Daisy

Good Luck & God bless on your interview.

Please do share your interview experience with the CO.

in prayer
ness

Hello Daisy! ask ko lang kung anu yung mga tanong sayo ng psychiatrist whew, undergo din ako psych. evaluation....or questions dun lang sa form na pinil-up? Thanks please reply!!!






Daisy anu ang nilagay mo sa DS156 QUESTION number 36...Please reply! Thanks Daisy

the psych will basically ask the same questions in the questionnaire. that's pretty much it. of course, he'd also ask how you got the scars. you basically have to assure him that you're way past that and you've emotionally matured since then. mine didn't take longer than 5 mins.

as for question 36, if you're on k3 and you're husband filed an I-130, it should be yes. I-130 is an immigrant visa petition.

Thanks Daisy!!!
Pero confused ako sa DS156 question number 36,,,ung mga k3 nakasama ko sa interview NO ang answer nila...Pero yung sayo Daisy Yes ang sagot mo...kasi Yes din ang sagot ko, tpos sabi nung mga nakilala ko NO daw talaga...Thanks talaga! reply please!!!
HAVE A NICE DAY!

i researched about it. I-130 is an immigrant visa petition, so it should really be yes. however, given the fact that other k3 applicants have answered NO while others have answered yes without encountering any problems, i don't think it'd be a big issue. it's pretty self-explanatory. we were granted a k3 interview because of the I-129F and the I-130, the immigrant visa petition, is a prerequisite for the filing and issuance of the k3. =)

Hi Daisychain and to all VJ members. I am a new member here and I just read some of your posts. I find it very helpful for me and to all applying for K visa. I have some confusions and clarrifications on what to indicate in some questions in DS 156 and DS 157.

DS 156 # 25- Name and Telephone nos. of person in US who you will be staying with or visiting for tourism or business
I'm a little confused with the wordings "visiting for tourism or business" but should I indicate my husband's name and telephone nos since I will be staying with him?


DS 156 # 40- Application Prepared by: Name___ ; Address ___; Relationship to Applicant:______ ; Signature of person Preparing form___; Date _____
I'm really confused with this coz I've read in other forums that the applicants write their own name, address, with date and signature in this portion but if I'm not mistaken in this forum someone answered None. Please help me

I should answer nos. 29, 30, 31 of the third page of DS156, Right???

JUST WANT TO CLARRIFY THE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING NOS (DS 156): (got these answers from u!)hehehe
# 14. National Identification Number - answer must be N.A or None.
# 22. When do you intend to Arrive in U.S.? - indicate just an estimated date
# 26. How long Do you intend to stay in US? - permanently or for the rest of my life
# 27. What is the Purpose of your trip? - join US citizen spourse and apply for adjustment of status
# 39. Was the Application Prepared by another person on your behalf? - some say yes while others No ...final answer? hehehe

FOR DS 157
In no. 1, LAST NAME: since I am married I should indicate their my Married Name(Husband's Surname)???
In no. 3, FULL NAME: Do I have to indicate the following order: FIRST NAME , MAIDEN NAME, SURNAME (HUSBAND'S SURNAME)???
In no. 10 List all countries that have ever issued u a passport: Philippines (is this the correct answer???)
In no. 17 List all educ institutiions you attended. Incude vocational institutions but not elementary schools: So here I must not indicate my school in elementary but only my school when I was highschool and college???

Kindly help me please. Your replies are really big help!

Thank you very much in advance

Des, I replied to your private message but I'm posting this anyway for the benefit of other members who may have similar questions.

First off, I'm glad to know you're preparing your DS156 beforehand. I've seen a lot of people in the embassy who came unprepared and hence experienced considerable delay.

The immigrant visa ticket officer asked them to take their seats and fill out the form. Even though they were handed a number, the numbers were not called in chronological order. It depends on who finishes each process first. I also suggest buying a plastic compartment folder with labels. Btw, do not put your pictures in an album. I put mine in the smallest album i could find and it did not fit the window! The prescreener just asked me to take the pictures out. She'll basically ask two-four wedding pictures of you, your husband and the person who officiated the wedding. And two-four pictures of you with other people (friends, family).

DS-156

#14 - NONE. we don't have a national identification number. SSS # is NOT National Identification number. =)
#22 - Yes. You must provide a date, even if it's a tentative one. The girl beside me was sent back to her seat (her number relegated to the back of the line) because she didn't fill that part up. She was fretting about the fact that the immigrant officer insisted that she provide a date because she said that she didn't have any travel plans yet. It doesn't matter. They will still insist that you provide a date, even if you haven't formalized traveled plans. Should there be a delay in visa issuance, the immigration officer would check the date indicated in that item and advice the applicant to postpone travel plans.

#26 - permanently; will apply for permanent residence. "for the rest of my life" sounds a bit dramatic! heheh

# 27. What is the Purpose of your trip? - join US citizen spouse and apply for adjustment of status


#25 - emphasis on "who you will be staying with" OR visiting for tourism or business. the reason why they mentioned staying with, tourism or business is because the DS156 applies to all visa applicants - B2, B1, etc. etc. so basically it doesn't specifically cater to k3 or IR1. So you should provide the address and phone number of your US Citizen spouse.

#32 - K3 applicant; will apply for work authorization, employer unknown (if you do plan on working)

# 39. Was the Application Prepared by another person on your behalf? - if you filled out this form yourself, the answer should be NO

#40 - Unless you answered "yes" to the previous question (that someone accomplished the application for you), leave that part blank. The immigrant visa ticket officer and pre-screener separately checks parts left blanks. I left this part blank and I was never questioned.

As for 29, 30, 31, if your answer is "NO", no need to put N/A on the succeeding blanks.

Don't forget to answer number 37. If say it doesn't apply to you (i.e Fiancee) check NO and put "none" on the blanket next to it. Write down "U.S. Citizen" on the blank next to Husband.

On #9, put "none." According to a fellow VJ member, middle name in the US is not "maiden name" in the Philippines. You should write your surname prior to getting married on item 8 and "none" in item 9.

While lining up, have your application form ready. The guard will ask for an ID. The NBI clearance will do. While lining up at the immigrant visa ticket booth, have both copies of your DS 156 and DS 157 ready (the other one being a bank validated copy of course) plus your U.S. passport pictures.


DS 157
#1 - Married Name
#3 - I wrote it down in this particular format: First Name Middle Name Surname. You can write it down in this format too, if you'd like: Surname, First Name Middle Name. But it doesn't really matter since you've already indicated your last name and first names in items #1 and #2.
#10 - Philippines
#17 - High School and College.


Good luck on your interview and congratulations! Remember, even if other members (including myself) complain of bringing tons of evidence without it being put to use, better be safe than sorry. Don't hesitate to bring AS MUCH evidence as you can, even if you end up carrying two bags (like me! heheh).

i would also like to add that there were some people who only brought 1 copy of the DS 156. They were given a form to fill out. So basically, a handwritten DS 156 form will be accepted. But of course, they had to sit down and fill the form out and as I have mentioned before, relegated to the end of the line. Doesn't matter what number you're issued. It's not called out in chronological order anyway. Depends who finishes each process first. =)

Hi Daisychain and hello to all VJ members!

Wow! I am really impressed on how you replied kinda long but it is really a very BIG help to me and to other people applying for K3 . Thanks for the pieces of advice.
Just want to clarrify some more hehe
pasensya na kung makulit just wanna make sure that I will answer all the questions in the forms correctly

DS 156

#8 OTHER SURNAME USED (MAIDEN,RELIGIOUS....)
I applied for my passport 2 years ago when I am still single so in nos. 6 to 7 I indicated what is in my passport (my Maiden Name) but a bit confused if I have to answer #8 with NONE since I already indicated it in # 6 or should I still have to indicate my Surname prior to marriage?

# 29,30 and 31 PAGE 3 (the page with the barcode)
If my answer in nos.29-31 of pages 1-2 is NO then I will just leave the third page BLANK or do I have to indicate N.A.?

#39 Was the application prepared in your behalf?
If my answer is NO then I should fill up # 40 with my name address etc. ?

I also want to clarrify if I don't have to submit any documents to Delbros for the verification of my documents and all what I should do is to pay them through the accredited banks and follow the instructions on this site:http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwfdelb.pdf
and when I leave the bank, the only paper that will be given to me is the duplicate copy of the validated deposit slip?

Can I have the CFO seminar before the interview or even without visa at hand yet?

Thank you very much for the prompt response and hope to hear from you again.

HI des. I sent you a private message. Unfortunately, I can't paste my answers here because I forgot to copy paste it before sending it to you. Can you paste it here please for others members with similar questions to read? Thanks! God bless

Hi Daisychain
Thank you so much for the reply.
May HE continue to bless you for the all the help you've given us

Here's the personal message you've sent me :

#29-31. I'll give you an example. if you check "NO" to have you ever been in the U.S.", there's no need to put N/A or none on the fields below it (When? and How Long?). Don't leave the third page blank.There are more items there that you need to answer.

#39 - If your answer is NO, no need to fill up item #40.

Yes. After you pay delbros at metrobank, they will issue you a receipt. Don't forget to IMMEDIATELY text delbros for payment confirmation (follow the format in the website) otherwise they won't jumpstart your doc verification process. Do this ASAP - as early as a month before your interview as it takes NSO 1-4 weeks to process document verification. Keep the delbros receipt. The US embassy officer may ask you to produce the delbros receipt (at least in my case).

Yes. You can have your CFO seminar even if you don't have your visa yet. That's what I did. All I brought was the BC, MC and 2 valid IDs. Just to let you know though, you can have your CFO seminar after you get your passport w/ visa so you won't waste two trips. Immediately after you attend the seminar, you can already have your passport stamped.

#8 - According to a fellow VJ member (whose advice I followed), in the US, middle name is not the same as maiden name. I started a thread about it. Please check this: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=139139

Let me paste what the guy said: "Don't confuse a middle name with a maiden name. In the US a middle name is actually a second name while in the Philippines it's considered the same as the maiden name. The questions are not redundant and are really self explanatory."