Embassy of the United States in Manila : Nonimmigrant Visa

The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit (NIV) is open for business Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on U.S. and Philippine Holidays and every last business day of the month.

Please click here for complete NIV Contact Information

If You Are Issued a Nonimmigrant Visa

Please visit the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Procedures page for complete information on how to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States.

Visa Release After Processing

Report Back

Philippine Government’s Pre-Departure Requirements

Special Documentary Requirements From Visa Holders At The Port Of Entry

VISA RELEASE AFTER PROCESSING

For the majority of visa applicants, the Embassy can issue the appropriate visa within a few working days*.

A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, and C-3 Visas

A purple slip will be provided. Visaed passports may be picked up on the third day from the date of the application at Window A or B from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. except on U.S. and Philippine holidays and every last business day of the month.

OTHER NONIMMIGRANT VISA CLASSES

If at the end of the interview the decision of the consular officer is to issue the applicant a nonimmigrant visa, s/he will be given a yellow slip. S/he should take this slip to the courier service desk in the American Embassy Pavilion, where s/he will need to arrange for delivery of the passport and visa.

Please note that the processing of the visa after the interview normally takes one week*. Delivery time varies depending on the designated delivery address provided by the applicant. Please refer to the table below.

Current Delivery Fee/Time

Metro Manila Areas	135 Philippine Pesos	One (1) to three (3) business days
Provincial Key Cities (ex. Cebu City, Davao City, etc.)	165 Philippine Pesos	Three (3) to five (5) business days
Outside Provincial Key Cities (ex. Capiz, Leyte, Bukidnon, etc.)	Depending on area/location	Five (5) to seven (7) business days

For shipment tracking of the visaed passport, please click here.

If there is a need for the visa to be issued earlier, please inform the officer at the time of the interview. The officer will determine whether earlier issuance is possible.

Upon receipt of the visa, immediately check the information printed therein to ensure accuracy of the data. If correction is needed, please click here.

* – Average Visa Processing Time: This means the number of working days it takes for an approved applicant to receive his/her passport back from the Embassy with the U.S. Visa at the address given to the courier company. All applicants should be aware that the one week processing time is an AVERAGE, and that the processing time of a specific case can vary due to individual circumstances and other special requirements.

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REPORT BACK

If a visa is issued, the interviewing consular officer may choose to give the applicant a “Report Back” letter, requiring the applicant to register his/her return to the Philippines with the Embassy on or before the date specified on the letter.

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PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT'S PRE-DEPARTURE
REQUIREMENTS

The U.S. Embassy does not require medical examinations or pre-departure orientations for nonimmigrant visa holders. However, the Philippine government requires the following:

Filipino overseas skilled and professional workers and household workers must undergo certain examinations and documentations prior to leaving the Philippines. Please visit the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) official website for complete information.

The Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) Committee in the Philippines, through the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), requires Filipino exchange visitors (J-1 visa holders) to attend a Pre-Departure Registration And Orientation Seminar. The seminar aims to inform the participants about the conditions and requirements of the EVP as well as the participants’ responsibilities as J-1 visa holders.

Attendees are required to register with the CFO and attend an orientation seminar for J-1 visa holders held every Wednesday, at 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the address provided below. Please bring the following to CFO:

a)	Original valid passport
b)	Original and one (1) copy of J-1 visa
c)	Original and one (1) copy of Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019, formerly Form IAP-66)
d)	One (1) colored passport-size picture
e)	One (1) valid identification card with picture
f)	Duly completed registration form
g)	Attendance in the Pre-departure Orientation seminar
h)	PhP 250.00 registration fee

After satisfactory compliance with the above requirements, a J-1 registration sticker is affixed to the exchange visitor’s passport.

For further inquiries, please contact/visit the following:

Commission on Filipinos Overseas
c/o Exchange Visitor Program Secretariat

Office:	Citigold Center 1345 Quirino Avenue corner South Superhighway Manila
Tel.:	(011-632) 561-8321 ext. 300 to 304/605 to 608
Fax:	(011-632) 561-8332
E-mail:	cfodfa@info.com.ph and cfopmo@info.com.ph
Website:	http://www.cfo.gov.ph/
Via SMS:	Type TXTCFO or CFO <space><message> then send to 700236 (for Smart subscribers only)

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SPECIAL DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
FROM VISA HOLDERS AT THE PORT OF ENTRY

The following visa holders/dependents must carry with them the corresponding document, other than the passport, for presentation to the U.S. immigration officer at the Port of Entry:

A-3 and G-5 Visa Holders, and their dependents	Original signed contract
B-1 Visa Holders	Original signed contract
F and M Visa Holders, and their dependents	A sealed envelope from the American Embassy bearing the original valid SEVIS-generated Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20) issued by the prospective school
J Visa Holders, and their dependents	Original valid SEVIS-generated Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019, formerly Form IAP-66) issued by the sponsoring organization
H, K, L, O, P, Q Visa Holders, and their dependents	Copy of Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129), Original valid Notice of Action (Form I-797), and other supporting documents as presented during their nonimmigrant visa application

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Last Update :: 05/05/2008

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