I have been contemplating really hard if i'll blog my experience in applying US visa here in Jakarta. But i decided i want to share my experience to give an idea how OFWs apply US visa here in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Just to give a brief history, i initially applied US tourist visa last 2011. admittedly, i wasn't prepared in that visa application. I have to reschedule my visa appointment because i brought the wrong size of photos on the day of my interview, my bank account was not appealing, i fumbled my way during the interview and i was going through a rough emotional phase during that time and i saw the opportunity (if given) as an escape. Long story short, i was not granted and i never planned on applying again til now.
To prepare myself this time around, i researched forums about Filipinos applying the visa. Luckily, they even shared their personal processes and how their interviews went. However, i haven't read any blog about applying here in Jakarta so i really prepared this time.
So let me share my timeline, processes and lessons along the way...
April 2014:
- While waiting for my passport from the immigration (working visa, etc), i have my visa photo taken at our nearby mall. it was 2x2 size with white background.
no judging! hahaha!
- I have also paid the visa process through depositing the payment at Standard Chartered Bank. For more information, check out this link. Remember to print out the deposit slip that matches your visa application prior to heading to the bank or else they wouldn't let you pay the visa processing fee, like what happened to me. haha!
May 12: I received my passport and working visa
May 14: filled out the DS-160 Form and set an appointment
*appointments were available as early as the following day but i opted to get my preferred date which was May 28 (wednesday), 7:00 am
Tip: be truthful to all the questions asked and make your work description short but detailed
May 28: Appointment Date (Thizzzzzit!)
- since my appointment time was 7 am. i was already in front of the US embassy by 6:45 am. the queue was long as usual but going inside was relatively fast.
Tip: try to bring just a small bag with your necessary stuff only. They keep all electronic (phone, etc) and metal (keys, etc) objects and they will provide a number for your things to be collected afterwards.
I brought the following with me:
- current and old passports
- confirmation email of the appointment
- DS - 160 confirmation page (with the barcode)
- receipt of the bank deposit
- 2x2 photos
- supporting documents (certificate of employment, 3 months payslip, 3 months bank statement, 3 months credit card billing statements)
- after the security check, I then head to a open area to have my documents checked. got a queue number and waited for my number to be called. The person who checked my documents asked my purpose and gave me a group number. she informed me to wait for my group number to be called.
- after my group number was called, we waited outside the office as the office was still full then was instructed to go in and told to wait for the finger print scan.
- and then it was our group's turn for the interview. i was nervous because you can actually hear the consul's questions to the applicants. aack.
so the interview went something like this...
Consul: What is your purpose in traveling?
Me: visit family and friends and do some sight seeing as well
Consul: How long have you been working in Heartsprings?
Me: 3 years
Consul: *asked why i was denied the first time i applied* (i forgot the verbatim question)
Me: *states reason*
Consul: What countries have you traveled since 2012?
Me: *states all countries*
Consul: May i see your bank records?
Me: *handed out my payslips, bank statements and credit card billings*
Consul: Based on the changes of your status, your visa has been approved...
Me: Thank you very much (may very much talaga. haha!)
- i was handed out a white form and left the office to collect my things. i immediately called my boyfriend to tell him the news. time check: 10:00 am.
May 31: delivery of my passport with the visa stamp
so there goes my visa application process and experience... preparation is truly the key. and I noticed that for expats applying for US visa, they consider the length of your stay in the same company and BANK RECORDS.
The over all preparation was stressful, considering waiting for my working visa and passport PLUS making my bank statement borderline appealing were truly mega effort. I am grateful and blessed that all the sacrifices since the start of the year worked out just fine.
Next: my US trip reports. watch out for it. Cheers!
