My Step-By-Step Guide on How to Renew a US Tourist Visa Without Interview

September 30, 2017

My Step-By-Step Guide 
on 
How to Renew a US Tourist Visa Without Interview



Link to 2022 update: http://www.pinoyroadtrip.com/2022/09/how-to-renew-us-tourist-visa-without-interview-2022-update.html

First, you have to find out if you are eligible for visa renewal without interview. The criteria are as follows:


Eligibility Criteria for Drop-Box Applicants: 
  • I have a previous B1/B2 visa that I wish to renew. 
  • My visa was issued after July 1, 2007. 
  • My prior visa was valid for at least five years. 
  • My prior B1/B2 visa is still valid or expired within the last 12 months 
  • I am a citizen of the Philippines. 
  • My prior visa does not say “Clearance Received” or “Travel with Employer”. 
  • I have my passport with my B1/B2 visa in my possession
  • My most recent visa was issued on or after my 14th birthday. 
  • The last time I applied for a B1/B2 visa it was approved.

HOW TO APPLY


STEP 1. Have your photo taken.

In my case, I had my photo taken at Great Image. I told them that the photo is for US visa purposes so they know what to do. They charged me 249 pesos and got the photo in 15 minutes. Make sure to get a digital CD copy so you can use the disc to upload the photo when you fill up the DS-160 online application form.


STEP 2. Pay the visa fee.

The tourist visa is US$160. It's peso equivalent at this time is 8320 pesos at the exchange rate of 52 = 1USD. Click HERE   to verify the visa fee amount.

Check out US Visa Bank and Payment Information for primary information on how to pay the visa fee.

To summarize, you can pay 2 ways:

1. Over-the counter at Bank of the Philippine Islands
Go to this site: Bank and Payment Information. Click the Deposit Slip - $160 MRV Fee link to retrieve your US visa deposit slip with the RECEIPT NUMBER. Then go to any Bank of the Philippine Islands branch to pay the visa fee. 

My tip: KEEP THE RECEIPT. You will include a copy of the receipt with all the documents to be sent to the US embassy.



2. Online
If you have a BPI online account, you can pay the visa fee online.
Go to this site: Bank and Payment InformationClick the BPI link under Online Payment to retrieve your REFERENCE NUMBER. 


Log in to your BPI account online and enroll your reference number. Click the Guide to Enrolling Other Bills online 
My tip: After payment, print your payment confirmation. You will include a copy of the payment confirmation with all the documents to be sent to the US embassy.




STEP 3. Fill up the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160).

You can find the form HERE .

My tip: Make sure to remember your APPLICATION ID at the start of your application so you can retrieve and continue filling up your application in case you don't finish it in one sitting.



Prepare the digital copy of your photo. Uploading the digital photo is the last stage of the the process before submitting the DS-160 form online. You cannot submit and digitally sign the DS-160 form without uploading your photo.

Print your DS-160 confirmation page with your photo. You will include this with other documents to be sent to the US embassy.


STEP 4. Register an Account at the US embassy page





You need to create an account because this is where you will input your DS-160 confirmation number so you can retrieve the Dropbox Confirmation Letter. 



NEW FORM!!! Update as of August 6, 2018.

My Tip: Make sure to click "New Application /Schedule Appointment" first and answer questions on what kind of visa you are applying for, etc. BEFORE filling up the "Update Profile" section. Otherwise, if you fill up the "Update Profile" section first, the DS-160 Confirmation Number box WILL NOT APPEAR. You need to fill up that box for the Dropbox confirmation letter to appear. 




You need to input the DS-160 confirmation number in the account you created before a link will appear where you can print the dropbox confirmation letter.





The courier, 2GO Express, will ask for a copy of the dropbox confirmation letter before accepting your documents for delivery to the US embassy.




STEP 5. Gather all documents to be sent to the US embassy via 2GO Express.

CHECKLIST OF THE ITEMS YOU NEED TO SUBMIT:

1. Passports
a. Your current valid passport. 
b. The passport with your most recent B1/B2 visa 
c. All passports issued since the date of your last visa
If you are missing a passport, an affidavit of loss or police report is not acceptable – you will need to schedule an interview.
2. One copy of the Drop-Box Confirmation letter 

3. Two photographs taken within the last six months. 

4. DS-160 Confirmation Page

5. Proof of Payment

STEP 6. Bring the documents to 2GO Express.

No need to pay anything. The visa fee includes the courier fee.


Documents submitted to the US embassy




STEP 7. ARRIVAL OF THE PASSPORTS WITH THE US VISA

FOUR DAYS after submission of the documents, the passport with the new US Tourist Visa (together with all passports submitted) are delivered to the applicant's address.

NOTE: I received my passport 4 days after submission of documents. But I was informed by some people that they received their passports 2 WEEKS  after SUBMISSION of documents. Please take note of this when deciding on when to submit your application for renewal. The embassy do not give an official timetable regarding this service.