How to Apply
Immigrant Visas: To apply for an immediate relative or family preference immigrant visas, or an employment-based immigrant visa follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process on usvisas.state.gov. Once you have completed those steps, review the instructions given to you by the National Visa Center (NVC), along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.
Fiancé(e) Visas: To apply for a fiancée visa, follow the steps on the Fiancé(e) Visa Process on usvisas.state.gov.
The Interview
Fiancé(e) Visas: The National Visa Center (NVC) will notify you when your case has been sent to Embassy Manila for an interview. Please note that you must pay the K visa application fee before you can schedule your appointment. To prepare for your interview, follow the steps and the document checklist on the Immigrant and Fiancé(e) Visa Interview Preparation page. Interview appointments for fiancé(e) visas are now available to schedule online at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph or call the Embassy’s Visa Information and Appointment Service Center at (+632) 8548-8223 and (+632) 7792-8988.
If you are unable to complete the steps and the document checklist prior to your scheduled appointment, please RESCHEDULE your interview online at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph or call the Embassy’s Visa Information and Appointment Service Center at (+632) 8548-8223 and (+632) 7792-8988.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A fiancé(e) derivative (K2) applicant must apply and be issued a visa (if qualified) within one (1) year from the date the fiancé(e) (K1) visa was issued. This requirement has temporarily been extended an additional 180 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, derivative (K2) applicants who are turning 21 years old must apply, be issued a visa, and enter the United States before the applicant’s 21st birthday. Therefore, we strongly urge K2 applicants to apply for a visa as soon as possible
Case Status
At the end of your immigrant visa interview, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied.
Visa approval : When approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you. To facilitate timely delivery of the visa, you must register your delivery address online or via the Embassy’s call center.
Visa denial: If denied, you will be informed why you are ineligible to receive a visa. You will also be sent a notification by email.
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. You can check the status of your visa application at ceac.state.gov.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware that you must be admitted to the United States BEFORE your visa’s expiration date, usually the same day that your medical exam expires. If your medical exam expires within 7 business days, you must obtain a new medical exam prior to visa issuance to allow sufficient time for processing and releasing of the visa prior to expiration. Please also ensure that your passport will be valid for at least 60 days beyond your intended date of travel.
If you have been denied a visa, you may find useful information on ineligibilities and waivers here.
After the Interview
If your visa has been approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you. Carefully review After the Interview on usvisas.state.gov to learn what to do when you receive your visa, entering the United States, paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee, and other important information.
Delivery of Visas: The Immigrant Visa Unit uses a guaranteed courier service to deliver issued visas. LBC commercial courier is the authorized courier service provider for the visa units. Visas are delivered directly to the applicant’s designated address. Applicants also have the option to pick up the visas at the nearest LBC branch. Applicants do not need to return to the Embassy to pick up their issued visas.
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS): Philippine law requires all departing Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Only emigrants aged 12 years and younger are exempted from attending the PDOS. This is not a U.S. Government requirement. This information is provided solely as a courtesy to visa applicants.
For additional information (registration and counseling requirements, PDOS schedule, and schedule of guidance and counseling sessions), the applicant may visit CFO’s website at http://www.cfo.gov.ph.
Direct Submission of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, formerly NSO) Documents: If your visa was refused under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for insufficient civil documents and your refusal letter instructs you to request a direct submission from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, formerly NSO), please follow the instructions below:
After your interview, the Embassy will provide you a form to submit to the PSA to request direct submission.
OPTION 1: Submit the PSA document request form / Reverification Form in person at the Pasay City PSA outlet
- Go to the Pasay City PSA outlet.
- Complete the PSA document request form.
- Submit the PSA document request form to the PSA clerk.
- Pay the required fee. Keep your receipt. This serves as proof you submitted the form to PSA.
NOTE: This form will only be accepted in person at the Pasay City PSA outlet.
OPTION 2: Call the PSAHelpline.ph to request for your civil documents
- Call (+632) 8737-1111 (long distance charges apply outside Metro Manila).
- Tell the Customer Care Officer you have a Reverification Form from the U.S. Embassy Manila.
- Follow the Customer Care Officer’s instructions to pay for the documents.
OPTION 3: Use the PSA website to request your documents. Requesting for a Civil Registry Document | Philippine Statistics Authority (psa.gov.ph)
- Go to https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph/ or https://psahelpline.ph/
- Complete the information details and click “Yes” on Embassy Details to directly submit your civil documents to U.S. Embassy, Manila. Follow the instruction to pay for the documents.
PSA will submit the requested documents directly to the U.S. Embassy Manila. You should then wait to hear from us about the status of your visa application. All inquiries regarding your visa application should be directed to the Visa Information and Appointment Service Center at (+632) 8548-8223 and (+632) 7792-8988.