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 Embassy of the United States In Manila 1201 Roxas Blvd. - Ermita Manila - The Philippines Hours of Operation: 7:30am - 4:30pm Manila Time (2330 - 0830 GMT) Tel: (63-2) 528-6300 Fax: (63-2) 522-4361
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Nonimmigrant Visa

   
 
       
     
       
     
       
    Our Commitment to Customer Service  
   
  English Version
 
   
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    How To Apply  
       
    Where To Pay The Application Fee  
       
    Application Forms  
       
    Appointment Availability and Processing Times  
       
    VISAPOINTSystem NEW
Online Visa Information and Interview Appointment System
 
   
  For Individuals
 
   
  For Priority Interview Program (PIP) Participants
 
   
  For Crewing Agencies
 
   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on VisaPoint
Please read this section BEFORE submitting any questions to the Embassy

 
       
    Early Appointments and Emergency Travel  
       
    Demonstrating Ties  
       
    If Visa Is Issued  
       
    Visa Classifications  
    Diplomatic/Official (A/C-3/G)  
   
  Personal Employee (A-3/G-5)
 
    Visitor (B-1/B-2)  
   
  Visas for Medical/Family Emergencies
 
   
  Priority Interview Program
 
   
  Personal Employee (B-1)
 
    Crewmembers Working on Outer Continental Shelf (B-1/OCS) and Yacht (B-1)  
    Transit (C-1)  
    Crewmember (C-1/D)  
   
  Seafarer Recruitment Agency Accreditation
 
    Investment/Trader (E)  
    Student (F/M) and Exchange Visitor (J)  
    Temporary Worker (H/L)  
    Members of the Media (I)  
    Fiancé/e of U.S. Citizen (K-1) and Child of K-1 (K-2)  
    Spouse and/or Child of US Residents/Legal Permanent Resident (K-3, K-4, V)  
    Temporary Worker of Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics (O)  
    Entertainers, Athletes and other performers (P)  
    Participant in an International Cultural Exchange Program (Q)  
    Temporary Religious Worker (R)  
    NAFTA Derivative (TD)  
       
  Other Visa Matters  
   

Medical Examinations Requirements

 
    Cancelled Visa  
    Change in Marital Status  
    Change in Nationality  
    Change in Visa Annotation  
    Change of Name  
    Damaged Visa  
    Erroneous Visa  
    Falling Off Or Detached Visa  
    Lost Visa  
    Multiple-Entry, Indefinite Visas  
    Overstay  
    Visa on Expired Passport/Visa Transfer  
    Visa Validity Extension  
    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please read this section BEFORE submitting any questions to the Embassy  
       
  General Information  
   

Visa Waiver Program

 
    Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents  
    Traveling to and from the Carribean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico or Canada  
    US-VISIT  
    Returning Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Card  
       
    Refusals and Ineligibilities  
    221(g) Temporary Refusal  
    214(b) Refusal -- Understanding Visa Denials  
    Ineligibilities and Waivers  
       
  Useful Links  
    Visa Information  
    U.S. Department of State  
   

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

 
   
  U.S. Customs and Border Protection
 
   
  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
 
   
  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
 
       
       
   

CONTACT DETAILS

 
       
 
 
Nonimmigrant Visa
 
     
 

A valid visa is necessary for most aliens who wish to apply for entry into the United States. Under U.S. law, all aliens seeking admission are presumed to require an immigrant visa unless they establish that they are entitled to receive a visa in one of the nonimmigrant visa classifications.

Visa Classifications
Application for entry to the United States
Visa validity and length of stay in the United States
Special documentation required from visa holders at the Port of Entry
Nonimmigrant visa application
Place of Nonimmigrant Visa Application

 
     
     
  VISA CLASSIFICATIONS  
     
  The most widely known nonimmigrant visa classification is the visitor visa, which is issued to aliens who wish to enter the United States temporarily for business purposes (B-1) or for tourism, visit to relatives and friends, or similar reasons (B-2). Other classifications of nonimmigrant visas are required for persons who wish to enter as representatives of foreign governments (A & G), in transit (C), crewmen (C-1/D), treaty traders and investors (E), students in academic or language programs (F), temporary workers and trainees (H), journalists (I), exchange visitors (J), fiancé(e)/spouse of U.S. citizens (K), intra-company transferees (L), students in vocational or other nonacademic programs (M), temporary workers of extraordinary ability (O), athletes and entertainers (P), cultural exchange visitors (Q), religious workers (R), and NAFTA Derivative (TD).  
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  APPLICATION FOR ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES  
     
 

A nonimmigrant visa for a particular classification is valid for entry only for the purpose for which it was originally issued. For example, a student visa cannot be used for entry as a visitor, nor can the possessor of a visitor visa enter to study.

Nonimmigrant visas allow foreign nationals to apply to the U.S. immigration authorities for entry into the United States for a temporary purpose. However, a visa is not a guarantee of entry into the United States. The bearer of a visa is subject to inspection at the Port of Entry by U.S. immigration officials who have authority to deny admission. Therefore, the recipient of a visa should carry with him/her, for possible presentation to immigration inspectors, the evidence submitted to the consular officer when the visa was obtained.
 
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  VISA VALIDITY AND LENGTH OF STAY IN THE UNITED STATES  
     
  The validity period shown in a nonimmigrant visa relates to the period during which it may be used in applying for admission into the United States; it does not indicate the length of time the alien may spend in the United States. The period for which the bearer of a nonimmigrant visa is authorized to remain in the United States is determined by the U.S. immigration authorities at the Port of Entry. A nonimmigrant who remains in the United States beyond the period for which s/he has been granted permission to stay may become subject to removal.  
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  SPECIAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FROM VISA HOLDERS AT THE PORT OF ENTRY  
     
  Certain classifications of nonimmigrant visas require special documentation which can be furnished only by an authority in the United States. These classifications include students, who must have a valid SEVIS-generated Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by the prospective school; exchange visitors, who must have a form issued by the sponsoring organization; and temporary workers and trainees, intra-company transferees, fiancé (e) s of U.S. citizens, athletes and entertainers, and cultural exchange visitors, all of who must have a specific petition filed on their behalf and approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. For additional information, please visit the If You Are Issued a Nonimmigrant Visa page.  
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NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION

 
     
  There is a nonrefundable machine-readable visa application fee whether or not the visa is issued. In addition, there may be an additional fee for visa issuance based on the Reciprocity Fee. This fee is approximately the same as that which is charged by the other government to a U.S. citizen for a similar type of visa. Philippine nationals are not required to pay such fee.  
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  PLACE OF NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION  
     
  Applicants for nonimmigrant visas generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of residence.  Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office, it may be more difficult to qualify for a nonimmigrant visa outside the country of residence.  
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Please visit the How to Apply page for further information
 
 
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Last Update :: 12/04/2007

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