My Step-By-Step Guide on How to Renew a US Tourist Visa Without Interview (2022 update)

September 8, 2022

My Step-By-Step Guide on 
How to Renew a US Tourist Visa Without Interview 
 
(2022 update) 


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


Eligibility Criteria for Interview Waiver Applicants: 

If you can answer “yes” to all the following questions, you may qualify for our Interview Waiver and will not need to schedule an appointment for an interview at the U.S. Embassy. 

**Please note: if you answer YES to the below questions but are found to be ineligible for Interview Waiver service, your application will be returned to you via courier, and you will be required to schedule a visa interview.  Please read all eligibility criteria carefully. If applying as a family, all family members must meet eligibility criteria. 

Eligibility Criteria for Interview Waiver Applicants:

  • I have a previous B1/B2 visa that I wish to renew;
  • My prior visa was valid for ten (10) years;
  • My prior visa is still valid or has expired within the last 48 months;
  • I have in my possession my passport with my previous visa from the same visa category for which I now wish to apply;
  • My name, date of birth, and gender on my last visa are the same (If there is name change due to marriage or annulment, I can provide documentary proof); **
  • My most recent visa was issued on or after my 14th birthday; ***
  • The last time I applied for a visa it was approved;
  • I have not requested an extension or change of status through USCIS. 

**Submit an original copy of Marriage Certificate or Declaration of Nullity of Marriage issued by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), whichever is applicable.

***For applicants under the age of 14 and over 79 years of age should check here.


HOW TO APPLY


STEP 1. Have your photo taken.

Have your photo taken at Great Image. We use Great Image everytime we apply for a visa, whether it's for a US visa, Japan visa, or Korea visa. They have been very reliable. Just tell them that the photo is for US visa purposes so they know what to do. Make sure to request GLOSSY. The interview waiver confirmation letter checklist specifies that the photo should be glossy. The package costs 269 pesos. 

There is no dress code mentioned but wear decent clothes. To be safe, we wore clothes that has a collar and sleeves. 

Here is the link on the photo requirement: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-photoinfo.asp

To summarize, you need to request the ff. from Great Image: 

(1) 2 pcs 2 x 2 US visa photo in GLOSSY photo paper - You need 2 pcs to submit to the US Embassy together with your passports and interview waiver confirmation letter. 

(2) soft copy - to be downloaded in your phone. You need a soft copy you can upload to your DS-160 application forms. 

My tip: Do this first because you cannot submit your DS-160 without uploading your photo. 


STEP 2. Pay the visa fee.

The tourist visa is US$160. You pay it in the local currency of the location where you are applying. If you're applying in the Philippines, you pay its peso equivalent as determined HERE. Take note of the peso amount and until when it is valid. You must pay the correct amount within the date stated as the deadline. When exchange rate is volatile, the peso equivalent changes every week. 

This means that you should pay 9600 pesos by August 15.



Check out US Visa Bank and Payment Options/Pay My Visa Fee for primary information on how to pay the visa fee.

You can pay in 2 ways:

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

Below is a sample US Visa fee deposit slip with instructions. Note that you have 5 days from the time you generate the deposit slip to make the payment. The deposit slip expires. Therefore you must take note of the expiration date indicated in the upper right hand corner of the deposit slip. To generate the deposit slip, you need to click Deposit Slip - $160 MRV Fee link then print and bring to the bank. 



After you have paid the visa application fee, keep the bank receipt for your records. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without listing down your receipt number when you submit your application online. 


2. Online
If you have an online account, you can make an online payment via Pesonet.  
Go to this site: Bank and Payment Information. The peso equivalent as determined HERE. Take note of the peso amount and until when the current exchange rate is valid. You must pay online the correct pesos amount within the date stated as the deadline. When exchange rate is volatile, the peso equivalent changes every week. 




Log in to your online account online and make payment as indicated above. 

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

You can find the form HERE .







MY TIPS : 

1. 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.


2. 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 your application forms without the photo. 

Important things to take not of when filling out the DS-160, which may have a persuasive effect on your visa application.

1. Your current status, whether employed, or self-employed, studying, or retired. This will determine whether you have enough ties that bind you to the Philippines. 

2. Your last 5 visits to the United States. You must visit the US at least once during  the validity of your previous 10 year visa. Otherwise, the consul will think twice about issuing you a new one if you didn't even use the old visa. 

3. Countries you visited in the last 5 years. It's a plus if you visited other countries in the last 5 years. It shows you're a legitimate tourist and always returns to the Philippines after visiting other countries.

4. The identifier of your social media accounts, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube etc., you used for the past 5 years. They will be looking into what you have publicly posted in the past 5 years, and whether you have views that may pose danger to the US. 

These are the social media platforms mentioned in the DS-160



5. The email addresses and mobile numbers you used in the past 5 years. 


STEP 4. Create an Account to be able to retrieve the Interview Waiver Letter




Once you have created your account, log in then click New Application/Schedule Appointment on the upper left hand corner and continue answering the questions as shown in ff screenshots below. 





The screenshot below is where you input your DS-160 confirmation number. 




The following questions in the screenshot below determines whether you are eligible for interview waiver. 











Indicate here whether you want to have your visa documents delivered to you.


The amount indicated here may be different from the amount you paid. Don't worry. As long as you paid the correct conversion rate on the day that said conversion date is valid, your payment will be accepted.


This is where you input your receipt number



This is the interview waiver confirmation letter 




This is what your dashboard looks like after submitting everything. 







STEP 5. Gather all documents to be sent to the US embassy via LBC.

CHECKLIST OF THE ITEMS YOU NEED TO SUBMIT:





1. Interview waiver confirmation letter Valid passport
2. DS-160 Confirmation Page
3. Two 2x 2 photographs taken within the last six months printed on glossy paper
4. Valid passport
5. Old passport with previous B1/B2 visa


STEP 6. Bring the documents to LBC.

Note that not all LBC outlets receive these US Visa documents. Only specific ones listed below can receive the US visa documents.




If you wish to drop off your visa documents for free, go to the LBC Mall of Asia branch. 

If you wish to drop off your visa documents at an accredited LBC outlet near you, other than the LBC Mall of Asia branch, you pay 440 pesos upon submission of the documents 

This is what you should put on the label.



The documents will be delivered to the US Embassy the day after dropping it off at an accredited LBC branch.

You can track your documents by logging in at https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/applicant home

The following status will appear on your dashboard after bringing your documents to the LBC:






When you see the status shown below it means it's out for delivery. Make sure to leave an authorization letter if you're not available to receive it and the 440 pesos to be paid to the courier. LBC does not text the recipient on the day the passports are to be delivered







STEP 7. ARRIVAL OF THE PASSPORTS WITH THE US VISA

From our experience, the longest time from document drop off at LBC to delivery to our residence is 8 calendar days. The shortest time is 5 calendar days. 

The item encircled in red is the cash amount to be paid upon delivery.

2 passports are returned to the applicant: the valid passport with the new 10-year B1/B2 visa and the old passport with the previous B1/B2 visa.







Shake Shack Manila (Megamall branch): My Review

August 20, 2022


 

Shake Shack Manila (Megamall branch): My Review

The first time I tried Shake Shack was at Shake Shack in Herald Square in New York. That was 3 years ago. At this weekend's movie mania, we decided to try Shake Shack in Manila (Megamall branch). We all agreed that the Shack Burger in New York tasted so much better. Or is it the ambience of being in New York that added to the flavor. 🤔

After tasting the much hyped Shack Burger, I remain a Burger King fan. Just like when tasting wine or whiskey, the first taste is always definitive of the impression it makes. When I tasted Burger King again after the lockdown ended, the first bite was so wonderful I couldn't help but exclaim at how good it was. My first bite of Shack Burger was just ok.

We ordered Shack burger, Double Shack burger, Dark meat hot chicken and plain fries at Shake Shack Megamall. The wonderful Whopper Jr I mentioned above came from Burger King Marcos Highway near Vermont subdivision.


Shake Shack New York




Shake Shack Manila 
(Megamall branch)







MUST BUY "PASALUBONG" FROM FRANCE: Agerria Foie de Canard Entier a la Truffe (Whole duck foie gras with truffle)

August 5, 2022



MUST BUY "PASALUBONG" FROM FRANCE: 
Agerria Foie de Canard Entier a la Truffe
(Whole duck foie gras with truffle)


Agerria Foie de Canard Entier a la Truffe (whole duck foie gras with truffle). So worth it! It's a must buy to bring home from France. This has truffle on top but you can buy the "cheaper" version without the truffle. Unlike the pate, the foie du canard is a whole duck foie gras. Agerria Foie de Canard a la Truffe costs 24.90 euros. Without the truffle (the black thing shown in the photo), it will cost 18.50 euros.

My brother bought this item at St. Jean-de-Luz during his Best of France tour with Trafalgar.




Website: https://www.agerria.com/


YOSHINOYA EASTWOOD: MY REVIEW

Photo courtesy of Grab


YOSHINOYA EASTWOOD: 

MY REVIEW

Craving some Gyudon today and remembering the meals we had at Yoshinoya Japan. Our first meal upon arrival at Tokyo in 2018 was at the Yoshinoya Narita Airport branch. 

The newly opened branch of Yoshinoya Eastwood where we ordered our meal today didn't disappoint. It brings back memories of meals we had when we visited Japan before the pandemic. We ordered Gyudon and Gyudon with cheese via grab food. We also had red ginger and togarashi/7 spice as condiments. I usually get Gyudon with cheese and it's as flavorful as the one I ate in Japan.

Photos below show what we ordered in Yoshinoya Eastwood in Manila today and Yoshinoya in Narita Airport, Japan in 2018. Check it out.


Gyudon in Yoshinoya Eastwood

Gyudon (right photo): Thin strips of tender beef, slowly simmered in our signature Gyudon sauce served over Japanese rice
Regular: 205 pesos , Large: 251 pesos


Gyudon with cheese (left photo): Thin strips of tender beef, slowly simmered in our signature Gyudon sauce served over Japanese rice topped with melted cheese
Regular: 239 pesos, Large: 299 pesos

With togarashi/7 spice and red ginger as condiments

Gyudon with cheese



Dimensions of Large Gyudon




 Gyudon at Yoshinoya in Narita Airport, Japan in 2018

My gyudon with cheese


My tip: If grab food does not deliver Yoshinoya in your area, put an address that is near the branch location and choose self-pickup. This branch allows purchase by self-pickup via grab food. Then use grab express to pick up the food to deliver to your place.







RODDEEDED PHILIPPINES: Superb Thai Food in Manila

RODDEEDED PHILIPPINES:
Superb Thai Food in Manila

I have yet to return to Bangkok since the pandemic started. Craving for authentic Thai food, to my delight I found Roddeeded in Manila. I never tasted Roddeeded in Bangkok. They are said to be famous for the beef noodle soup. Instead what I ordered for delivery are (1) Pad Thai, (2) Green Chicken Curry and (3) Larb Moo salad. They were all as great as the food we tasted during visits in Bangkok.

Thai food is very spicy but it is unique in that the spiciness comes with so much flavor. The "hotness" and the flavor reminds me of the quality of food we ate at Bangkok Bold Kitchen in Thailand in 2019. My standard for good Pad Thai is Thipsamai in Bangkok. And Roddeeded's Pad Thai didn't disappoint. The Larb Moo salad reminds me of the Larb we ate in Luang Prabang. Larb is apparently both a Thai and a Laosian food. And I don't need to rave about the Green Chicken Curry. You need to taste it for yourself. If you're not into spicy food, you can choose "Manila style" when you order. I chose "Bangkok style" because we like it spicy.

We ordered for delivery through roddeededphilippines.pickup.ph. You can order up to 7 days in advance, and select the dispatch time from 11am to 8pm. Payment online is via card (mastercard or visa), GCash or Grab pay. They were efficient and on time when they delivered the food and quality was maintained. Alternatively, you can also order via Facebook messenger.

Facebook page: Roddeeded Philippines
Location: 126 Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City (by the Sparta Sports Complex Food Hub)
Contact No. 09496734702
Open from 11:00 AM-8:30 PM


PAD THAI

This Thai street food dish is primarily made with small pieces of cooked chicken, eggs, rice noodles and an assortment of veggies and seasonings then it's all tossed in a sweet and savory sauce. (from the menu)
Price: 286 pesos
Good for 2







GREEN CHICKEN CURRY

Tender chicken simmered in creamy Thai Green Curry (RDD Curry) is the ultimate hot dish. Fragrant, rich and a bit spicy, a one-pot superstar. (from the menu)
Price: 276 pesos






LARB MOO SALAD

Made with minced pork, one of the most popular Thai street food. Combination of minced pork, lime juice, chili flakes, herbs and special RDD sauce which give a distinct taste. (from the menu)
Price: 297 pesos