Having a weak Philippine passport often means applying for entry visas to many countries. Some visa applications require heavy paperwork, while others like Australia and New Zealand can be completed easily from your laptop or computer.
Last June 2025, I applied for a New Zealand Business Visitor Visa for a scheduled work trip in July. I was granted a single-entry visa valid for one year from the date of issuance. The visa allows a stay of up to 2 months from the date of entry.
For today’s Tuesday Tips, I am sharing how I managed to secure a business visitor visa from home, with no physical paperwork or biometrics required. The entire application process, from submission to approval, was done online.
Note: This online visa application process is just one option. Applicants may also apply physically through the VFS Visa Application Centers in Makati City and Cebu. The physical process may require additional documents or steps depending on the visa type and applicant profile.
Disclaimer No. 1: The New Zealand Embassy may still require biometrics, medical check-ups, or personal appearance for certain applicants or visa types.
Disclaimer No. 3: Everything written below is true and correct as of June 2025. Visa requirements and processes may change at any time. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official New Zealand Immigration website.
New Zealand Business Visitor Visa
The purpose of my trip to New Zealand was business-related. Because of this, I applied for a Business Visitor Visa. According to the Immigration New Zealand website, this visa type allows foreign nationals to:
Carry out an official trade mission recognised by the New Zealand government
Sell goods and services in New Zealand
Buy New Zealand goods and services
Negotiate or discuss the set-up, expansion, or wind-up of a business in New Zealand
Carry out any business with the authorised representatives of an overseas company, body, or person.
The visa allows a stay for less than 3 months. If you need to stay longer, you will need to apply for a work visa.
How I Applied for a New Zealand Business Visitor Visa
Below is the step-by-step process I followed for my June 2025 application.
Step 1 – Create a RealMe Account
Visa applications are submitted through the New Zealand government’s RealMe portal. I created my RealMe account using a valid email address.
Step 2 – Prepare Visa Application Documents
After creating my RealMe account, I prepared the documents required for submission. I scanned everything and saved the files in PDF format. New Zealand Immigration requires all documents to be in English.
Here is the list of documents I prepared:
First page of my current Philippine passport
National Identification Card
Company letter of invitation
Valid Australian visa
Certificate of employment
Signed cover letter
Bank certificate and 6-month bank statement
Confirmed accommodation booking
Confirmed plane ticket
Birth certificate (additional, not required)
Stamped pages of my current passport (additional, not required)
Company annual report, personal tax document, and credit card statements (additional, not required)
Step 3 – Start the Online Visa Application
Once my documents were ready, I began the online visa application. After logging in to the RealMe portal, I clicked My Visas.
Under My Visas, you will see Draft Applications, Submitted Applications, and Issued Visas. I clicked Apply for a Visa under Draft Applications.
Step 4 – Fill Out the Application Form
Similar to the Australian online visa portal, the New Zealand system asks for personal details, travel information, and the purpose of your visit.
I answered all questions truthfully until I reached the document upload section. You can stop at any point and save your progress, then return when you have the required information.
Step 5 – Upload Visa Application Documents
After completing the form, I started uploading the required documents. The portal allows only one upload per category, so all bank documents need to be merged into a single PDF file.
Applicants may upload additional evidence at the end of the process, but again, only one file is allowed per category.
Tip: There are many free PDF merging tools online that can help you combine multiple files into one.
Step 6 – Payment
The last step is the payment of visa fees. Business visitor visa fees may vary but generally start at NZD 341, which includes the NZD 300 application fee and the NZD 41 immigration levy. The portal accepts credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Union Pay) or POLi. Visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the result.
Upon reaching the payment page, I noticed that my visa fees were waived. The total amount was NZD 0. I later learned that the New Zealand and Philippine governments have a bilateral agreement waiving visa application fees for visits shorter than 59 days. A nice surprise!
I received an email from Immigration New Zealand confirming that they had received my application. It also appeared under the Submitted Applications section on the My Visas page.
Note: New Zealand Immigration may still request additional documents, biometrics, or personal appearance. These may require a visit to the VFS Visa Application Centers in Makati City or Cebu City.
Step 7 – Visa Application Result
The waiting game begins. I submitted my application on the afternoon of 5 June 2025 and received my New Zealand Business Visitor Visa at 9:00 am on 10 June 2025. The whole process took less than 5 days including the weekend.
All issued visas also appear under the Issued Visas section of the My Visas page.
According to the New Zealand Immigration website, 80 percent of business visitor visas are decided within 1.5 days from the submission date. I was fortunate to have mine processed even faster. Thank you, New Zealand Immigration.
That is how I managed to get my New Zealand Business Visitor Visa without leaving home. If you are working on your own application and have questions, I would be happy to help. Leave a comment below or send me an email at contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thank you for reading this post on how to get a New Zealand Business Visitor Visa. I wish you the best in your upcoming application. I hope you can also check out the other Tuesday Tips posts on this website. Before you go, feel free to visit my Facebook & Instagram pages and give them a like or follow. Thank you, and see you in the next one!
Planning a Sakura trip can be stressful. For one, no one knows the exact date of the Sakura trees’ full bloom in each city until at least a week before. Secondly, everything — from plane tickets to hotel accommodations — gets expensive due to high demand from both locals and tourists.
Months before our trip, we had planned our schedule to coincide with the forecasted Sakura full blooms in Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and even Nagoya. However, the colder-than-expected weather delayed the Sakura full bloom by almost a week or two. Believe it or not, we only managed to witness the full bloom in Nagoya towards the end of the trip.
In today’s Tuesday Tips post, I will share some suggestions on how you can plan your next Sakura trip. While I cannot guarantee that you’ll catch the full bloom, I can offer tips on how to save money and make the most of your trip. These suggestions are based on our experiences from last year.
Plan Trip Dates Ahead
First things first: plan your trip dates in advance. Historically, the Sakura trees are best viewed in famous cities during the last week of March through the first two weeks of April. If you can schedule your trip to include these weeks, it would be ideal.
Book Plane Tickets and Accommodations Ahead
Once you have an idea of when the Sakura trees are best viewed, you can start looking for affordable plane tickets and accommodations ahead of time.
My friends and I booked our Manila to Nagoya plane tickets as early as July the year before for a trip in late March. We waited for the return flight forecasts and purchased our tickets four months in advance. The ticket to Nagoya only cost us a little over ₱3,000, including baggage. The return ticket, however, cost almost ₱11,000 due to the late booking and baggage fees. If only we had booked everything earlier, we could have gotten a much cheaper return ticket.
95% of our accommodations (see photos below) were booked up to nine months in advance. My friends and I took advantage of credit card promotions with Agoda and Booking.com. We also made sure to book places with free cancellation and a pay-later option. Even during peak times like this, accommodations are cheaper when booked months in advance. Plus, you get access to the best options since others have not started planning yet.
Having our plane tickets and accommodations settled early gave us plenty of time to research and plan our itinerary.
Stay Longer and Base in Selected Cities
As mentioned above, no one knows the exact date of the Sakura full bloom. Everyone depends on forecasts made by the Japanese authorities. Staying longer in your selected cities gives you the time and flexibility to adjust according to these forecasts.
It is also ideal to choose one or two cities as your base while chasing Sakura. In our case, we based ourselves in cities like Osaka and Kyoto, which are within reach of many other cities like Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. Staying longer in these cities also gave us more time to wait for or chase the Sakura, depending on where it was best viewed during our visit.
Monitor Sakura Forecasts
I suggest that you continuously monitor the official Sakura forecasts released by the Japanese authorities. These forecasts are available as early as January and are updated every few weeks. However, I do not recommend planning your trip solely around these forecasts, as they are always subject to change.
These forecasts will give you an idea of where to go during your selected trip dates and which day trips you can take from your chosen bases.
Keep Itinerary and Schedule Flexible
I do not recommend Sakura trips for first-time visitors to Japan. Ideally, when chasing Sakura, you should have already visited the usual attractions in Japan. This allows you to focus entirely on chasing Sakura and doing nothing else. You will not have to worry about missing out on a temple or a particular site because you have already seen it before.
There are thousands of places, parks, and areas where Sakura can be viewed during this season. Keeping your itinerary flexible gives you the freedom to visit wherever Sakura is in bloom.
Last year, on our few days in Osaka, we had not seen any Sakura trees in full bloom. Fortunately, I came across a random Instagram post showing that a small park (Nakaoe Park) near Osaka Castle had Sakura trees in full bloom. Since we had no plans after visiting Osaka Castle, my friends and I decided to go to this park and were able to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms.
On another occasion, it was a random day in Kyoto when I saw online that the Sakura trees were starting to bloom along the Philosopher’s Path. My friends and I immediately went to the area that afternoon, and we were treated to stunning views of cherry blossoms lining the long, beautiful path by the river.
Purchase Passes Perfect for Your Final Itinerary
Lastly, Japan offers hundreds of visitor passes that might be perfect for your plans or itinerary. Be sure to check if one fits your needs for additional savings.
In our case last year, my friends and I took advantage of the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. We used this pass to take the Shinkansen to and from Hiroshima from Osaka, as well as for the trains and ferry rides to and from Miyajima Island, the train to Nara, and the Shinkansen rides to Kobe, Himeji, and back to Osaka. We only paid ¥17,000 for the pass, but we got ¥33,000 worth of Shinkansen, local train, and ferry rides out of it.
I hope these suggestions help you plan your next Sakura trip. It might be too late to use them for this year, but hopefully, they will come in handy for your next trip. Sakura season in Japan is truly magical, and with a bit of planning, you can really enjoy it without the stress. Keep these tips in mind, and take your time to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms. Best of luck with your future trips — I hope you catch the perfect bloom and have an unforgettable experience!
Have you been to Japan during Sakura, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.
Thanks for joining me in today’s Tuesday Tips post. Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!
Getting a tourist visa can be a paperwork-heavy, task-filled process. It involves completing forms, gathering financial records, taking photos, and printing all required documents. By the end of the application, every traveler hopes for a positive outcome to fulfill their travel goals.
Recently, I applied for a South Korean Tourist Visa and was granted a 5-year multiple-entry visa, valid until October 2029. This visa allows me to enter South Korea multiple times, with stays of up to 30 days per visit. For today’s Tuesday Tips, I will walk you through how I secured this visa easily and outline the steps I followed from preparation to picking up my passport.
Philippine passport holders must obtain a visa to enter the Republic of South Korea for tourism or leisure. Depending on the consul’s evaluation of the applicant’s profile, the visa issued may be either single-entry or multiple-entry.
Like many other countries, the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea in the Philippines has centralized all visa applications through a dedicated visa application center. The Korean Visa Application Center (KVAC), located on the 9th and 10th floors of the Brittany Hotel, Block 2 & 4, Mini Park, McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, handles all visa submissions to the Korean Embassy. If you are applying for a South Korean visa in the Philippines, this is where you or your agency will need to submit your application documents.
How to Apply for a South Korean Tourist Visa (c-3) For Employed Individuals
Getting a South Korean tourist visa (C-3) is easy as these steps:
Be sure to enter the correct applicant and travel details. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email and text message for your appointment—print and bring this on the day of your visit. Travelers who set an appointment online have a separate queue on submission day.
Note: The Korean Visa Application Center also accepts a limited number of walk-in applicants daily. Applications are received from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The center is closed on weekends, Philippine holidays, and Korean consulate holidays.
Step 2 – Preparation
The next step is to prepare all required documents. Start by downloading the visa application form from the provided website. Once downloaded, fill out the form electronically, as the embassy prefers typed answers (except for the signature). There is no specific requirement for font style or size. For items that do not apply, simply enter “N/A.” If you need extra space for your answers, add them on a separate sheet of A4 paper. Once completed, print the application form on A4 paper and sign where indicated.
Here are also the other required documents for the visa application:
• 1 passport-sized colored photo (with white background) taken in the last 6 months
• Original passport (with a validity of more than 6 months from the intended trip)
• Photocopy of the passport bio page
• Original and photocopy of the valid visas and arrival stamps to OECD countries in the last 5 years
• Copy of PRC or IBP card (if applicable)
• Original certificate of employment (must include the applicant’s position, hiring date, compensation, office address, and HR landline)
• Original personal bank certificate (must include account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, and 6 months average daily balance)
• Bank statement (original or certified true copy of bank / passbook for the last 3 months)
• Photocopy of income tax return (form 2316)
• Visa application center privacy consent form
Eligible credit card holders from local banks like Banco de Oro (BDO), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Metrobank, and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) can apply for a visa without needing to submit financial documents (bank certificate and bank statement). Instead, they only need to provide a photocopy of their qualified credit card and the most recent three months of credit card statements. This offer is valid for applications until December 31, 2025.
Additionally, you may include extra documents like a confirmed plane ticket, hotel booking, or travel agency itinerary with your application. While these documents are not required by the embassy, they can be added if desired.
For the full and updated list of all visa application requirements for the C-3 visa, please visit the MOFA website.
Step 3 – Submit Your Documents
On the day of your appointment, arrive at the Korean Visa Application Center at least 15 minutes early. The reception staff will review your appointment and documents before assigning you a submission queue number.
After receiving your queue number, please wait in the designated area. When your number is called, proceed upstairs to the 10th floor, where the visa center staff will be ready to assist with your application. Provide your queue number, passport, and all required documents to the staff for assessment and submission.
Step 4 – Pay The Visa Application Handling Fee
After your documents are accepted, the staff will provide you with a charge slip for the visa handling fee. Take this slip to window 24 or 25 to pay the ₱900 fee. Once payment is completed, return to the staff who received your application.
The staff will inform you of the estimated passport release date (typically 10 to 14 working days, depending on the season) and give you a passport claim slip along with your receipt. They will also remind you to wait for a text notification from KVAC before coming to claim your passport. After this, you are free to leave the visa application center.
Step 5 – Wait For or Check Online Visa Application Result
Simply enter your passport number, application number, full name (in the format: last name, first name in English), and date of birth.
Once the embassy has decided, KVAC will send you a text message notifying you that your passport is ready for pick-up.
Step 6 – Claim Your Passport
Passports are claimed at the same visa application center. As with the visa application, you will need to get a claim queue number from reception. When your number is called, proceed to the 10th floor and go to windows 2 or 3.
To claim your passport, present your passport claim stub, application receipt, and the applicant’s birthdate. You will be asked to sign the release papers before receiving your passport—hopefully with the visa you applied for. After this, you are free to leave the visa application center.
Please note that passport pick-up is available only from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The center is closed on weekends, Philippine holidays, and Korean consulate holidays.
My Tourist Visa Application Process
5 August 2024 – I booked an application slot for 1 October 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
1 October 2024 – I arrived at the Korean Visa Application Center at 1:20 p.m. I went directly to the 9th floor for my application documents to be checked. I received queue number F007 at 1:28 p.m. and waited about 20 minutes for my number to be called.
At 1:52 p.m., my queue number was announced. I proceeded to the 10th floor and went to Window 11, where I submitted my application form, passport, and supporting documents. After my documents were accepted, I paid the visa handling fee at Window 25. I then returned to Window 11 to collect my passport claim stub.
By 1:58 p.m., I had received my passport claim stub and the receipt for the visa handling fee, completing the application submission process.
18 October 2024 – I received a text message notifying me that my passport was ready for pick-up at the visa application center. I checked the online visa portal and found that I had been granted a 5-year multiple-entry visa valid until October 2029.
25 October 2024 – I arrived at the Korean Visa Application Center at 12:49 p.m. and was assigned queue number E037. My number was called at 1:05 p.m., and I headed to Window 2 on the 10th floor. After presenting my passport claim stub and receipt, I received my passport at 1:06 p.m.
I then lined up for a free T-money card and a tourist map, picking up my freebies by 1:14 p.m. Finally, I left the visa application center and headed back home.
That is how I obtained my South Korean tourist visa last month. If you have any questions about anything I’ve shared, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below! You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thank you for reading this post about getting a South Korean tourist visa! I wish you all the best in your upcoming application. I hope you can also check out the other Tuesday Tip posts I have on this website. Also, before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!
Getting a do-it-yourself tourist visa is one of the most tedious things to do when planning a trip. I have been through several do-it-yourself visa applications, and I have spent tons of hours preparing all the needed requirements and supporting documents. All these arduous efforts are paid off every time a tourist visa is approved.
Recently, I applied for a US B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa, and I was granted one with a 10-year validity. Getting a US tourist visa is one of the most difficult visas to get here in the Philippines. I did everything by myself (without an agency’s help), so I am very lucky to have been granted this visa on my first application.
Today, I will share with you the steps I took in getting this US B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visa. I will also share with you the list of questions the consul asked me and some tips on how to prepare for your visa interview.
Disclaimer: Everything that will be discussed below is only applicable to a US B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visa application as of December 2023. Other visa types may require additional documents or processes. Please check the US Consular Affairs website to learn more about the other requirements.
October 2024 Update – The US Embassy in the Philippines has introduced an additional step for biometrics and photo collection. More details below.
B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa
Philippine passport holders need to obtain a visa to enter the United States of America or any other US territory. One of the most common visa types Filipinos can apply for is the B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa.
This B1/B2 Visitor Visa allows the visa holder to enter the United States of America both for business (B1) and tourism (B2). This visa type does not allow the visa holder to study in the country, seek employment, or have permanent residence in the United States.
How To Apply for a B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa
Step 1 – Preparation
The first step of the application is to create an account on the US Travel Docs Portal website. The following details are required: country of application, email, first name, last name, and nominated password. After creating an account, try to log in and check the earliest available interview schedule.
Next, go to the nearest photo studio and have your photo taken. The DS-160 form requires applicants to submit a digital copy of the applicant’s photo. The photo requirements, dimensions, and specifics are found here. Please note that you may skip this part and submit your photo on the day of the interview.
Step 2 – Pay the Visa Application Fee
The second step of the application process is the settlement of the visa application fee. The current visa application fee for B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visas is $185. The Embassy of the United States of America in the Philippines specifies an exchange rate for the said visa. You can check the updated exchange rate here. At the time of my application, the exchange rate was 58.00 PHP = 1 USD. I paid 10,730 PHP for my visa application fee.
The second payment option is through PesoNet. Applicants need to follow the steps indicated on this page. Like the receipt number above, please take note of the unique reference number because you will need it when scheduling your visa interview.
Please give RCBC and PesoNet enough time to process and transmit the visa application payment to the US Embassy. The usual processing timelines can be found here. Please also take note that all visa application fees are non-refundable.
This form asks for the following details: applicant details, address, travel document information, list of social media accounts, purpose of US trip (including intended date of arrival and place of stay), US visa application history, family information, current and previous employment details, educational attainment, international travel history in the last 5 years, security, and background information.
You can upload your application photo towards the last part of the DS-160 application form. After submitting the application form, you will get a confirmation page or email with your photo, passport details, and confirmation number. Please print this confirmation page only. You do not need to print the whole DS-160 form.
After paying for the visa application fee and submitting your DS-160 application, it is now time to schedule your interview. Head over to the US Travel Docs Portal website, log in using your details, and click ‘New Application / Schedule Appointment.’ Choose ‘Non-immigrant visa’ and follow the next steps. You will provide your DS-160 confirmation number and payment reference number, and then you will choose your desired interview date and time.
You also need to choose the method of passport collection, whether by pick-up or premium delivery. You need to nominate a delivery address if you choose the delivery option. You will receive the interview appointment confirmation via email after completing the appointment process.
Please print the appointment confirmation page and bring it on the day of your interview.
IMPORTANT: October 2024 Update – The US Embassy in the Philippines added an additional step to the application process. From 28 September 2024, all applicants need to schedule a separate appointment for biometrics and photo capture. Appointments can be made via the ustraveldocs.com/ph website.
Please note that this additional step is only applicable to those who have scheduled their visa interviews from 28 September 2024. Anyone who has scheduled theirs prior the said date can proceed to the US Embassy for their respective appointments.
Step 5 – Prepare Documents for the Interview
The US Embassy in the Philippines does not have an official list of additional documents that applicants need to bring during the interview. The emails only require the applicant’s valid passport, application photo, DS-160 confirmation, and interview confirmation pages on the day of the interview.
Any other document will solely depend on what the applicant wants to bring for his or her interview. Naturally, you will bring the documents that will show your strong ties here in the Philippines and that will show your capacity to go to the US for leisure. These documents can include the following: previous passport stamps and visas, certificate of employment, income tax documents, business registration (for business owners), bank certificates and statements, invitation letters (if for business, conferences, or events), property titles, and asset documents.
The consul may or may not ask for these documents, depending on how the interview goes. It is always best to have them ready in the event the consul asks for them.
Step 6 – Go To Your Scheduled Interview
Arrive at the US Embassy grounds at least 30 minutes before your scheduled interview. The guards will check your interview schedule and ask you to go inside during your turn. The embassy staff outside will check your passport and interview schedule and put a sticker with a barcode, your passport number, DS-160 confirmation number, and a QR code on the back of your passport. You will then go through two security checkpoints before starting with the interview process.
The interview process starts with pre-screening. The embassy staff will check your details and ask for your full name, birthday, and purpose for your trip. After that, the staff will guide you to the biometrics section, where the embassy staff will get your fingerprints.
After biometrics, you will now fall in line for the consul interview. You will be assigned to a random interview window and consul. The consul will ask for your passport at the start of the interview and ask you questions that are relevant to your trip and profile.
Step 7 – Interview Result
Towards the end of your interview, the consul will advise you if your application is approved or denied. If denied, he or she will give you a blue slip containing the reason for the denial. If approved, he or she will advise you that your application is approved and that you need to wait for 10 working days for your passport delivery or collection. All applicants, regardless of the result, need to vacate the embassy grounds after their interview with the consul.
Visa Interview Experience
Allow me to share with you my visa interview details last December 13, 2023.
I arrived at the US Embassy grounds a few minutes before 8:00 a.m., ahead of my 8:30 a.m. interview schedule. I noticed that those scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. were already asked to go inside, so I went to the guards, had my passport and appointment papers checked, and was asked to go inside.
Before the entry door, the embassy staff checked my passport and appointment letter. She also placed a sticker with my name, passport number, DS-160 confirmation number, a bar code, and a QR code at the back of my passport. I went through two security checks, then proceeded to the first step.
I underwent pre-screening at Window 9 and had my biometrics collected at Window 14. I was entertained by the nice and accommodating staff on both windows. After that, I fell in line for the interview. While seated, I can hear the consuls asking the other applicants questions about their trips, profiles, and even ask for documents. I can also hear the approvals and denials given by the consuls.
I got randomly assigned to Window 28 for my interview. The Asian-American consul with glasses greeted me and started the interview. Non-verbatim
Me (M): Good morning! How are you? (I handed my passport to him.) Consul (C): Good morning! I am good. Thank you. How are you? M: I am good; thank you.
C: What is the purpose of your trip? M: Purely tourism, sir.
C: Where are you going and for how long? M: I am going to Los Angeles and San Francisco for 2 weeks.
C: Who are you going with? M: Alone, sir. Always by myself. (he laughed)
C: Where do you work, and what do you do? M: I work for (stated company) as a (stated position), and I have been working with them for (stated tenure).
C: Okay. Have you traveled outside the country? M: Yes, sir. I have been to Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, France, Italy, Spain… (he stopped me)
C: Oh, so basically, you have been everywhere? M: Not yet, sir, but that is the goal.
C: Alright, visa approved. Congratulations! Your passport and visa will be delivered to you within 10 days.
I followed the exit signs and went back to the hotel. I finished the whole process in about 1.5 hours. I got my passport with the 10-year visa after 3 days.
Visa Application Tips
I want to share some helpful tips for those who want to apply or increase their chances of getting approved. These include:
Do not falsify anything in your DS-160 application form or in the interview. State the purpose for which you are applying for a visa. Consuls are trained to assess whether an applicant is telling the truth or not.
Stick to what you indicated in your DS-160 application.
Do not memorize everything you indicated in your DS-160 application. Familiarizing oneself with these details will help.
It is best to prepare all supporting documents and bring them during your interview. The consul did not ask for any additional documents during my interview, but the others asked for some documents or proof of ties here in the Philippines.
Build a solid international travel record or history for at least a few years before applying for a US visa. It is best to have a good mix of visa-free and visa-required countries. These records help a lot in showing that you go back to the Philippines after every trip.
Arrive at the US Embassy at least 30 minutes before your interview schedule.
The US Embassy does not have a specific interview dress code. However, it is best to dress appropriately for your interview. If you can, go for smart casual or business casual attire.
Do not bring your mobile phones during your interview. Electronic devices such as mobile phones and smartwatches are not allowed inside the embassy.
Stay in a nearby hotel if you are coming from a faraway place. I stayed at Red Planet Manila Bay (the lucky hotel, they say) the night before my interview, and I just walked to the embassy on the day of the interview.
🙂
Be confident and keep calm during the interview. The consul officers can be intimidating, but they are just doing their job. You will be fine if you come prepared and have nothing to hide.
This was how I got my B1/B2 visa last month, in December 2023. Please note that interview experiences may vary from one applicant to the other. It will all depend on the profile you submit and on the consul interviewing you. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thank you for reading this post about getting a B1/B2 US visa! I wish you all the best in your upcoming application and interview. I hope you can also check out the other Tuesday Tip posts I have on this website. Also, before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!
Fast forward to 2022 when prices of everything went up, I did not think I will be able to do it again. In early to mid-2022, my friends and I talked about flying to Europe for a few weeks towards the end of the year. After months and weeks of planning and visa applications, we finally flew to Europe in November 2022 for holiday. I, with some friends, went around France, Italy and Spain for 24 days.
Guess what? I spent a little over ₱167,000 ALL IN for this 3.5-week trip! Curious how I made it happen? Let me share the breakdown of travel expenses below.
Air Tickets
Back in 2020, I booked a ticket with Emirates from Hong Kong to Munich and back from Budapest to Hong Kong for only HK$4,039 or ₱27,072.73 for October 2020. The pandemic happened; I was not able to use that ticket.
Luckily, Emirates offered the most flexible option for tickets booked that year. They offered to keep the ticket and extended its validity for 3 years. They allowed passengers to book their tickets when they are ready to fly. On top of that, they also allowed the passengers to change the airports of origin and destination as long as the airports are within the same Emirates region. Emirates also waived all fare difference, rebooking and change fees.
My friends and I also booked our inter-country tickets before flying to Europe. We flew with Air France from Paris, France to Rome Italy and paid ₱6,854.74 for a one-way ticket. After Milan, my friends all flew back to Manila while I continued my journey to Barcelona. I flew with Vueling from Milan, Italy to Barcelona, Spain. I got my ticket 2 months before the trip and paid ₱3,442.29 for this one-way ticket.
On top of these flights, I also paid the Philippine Travel Tax of ₱1,620 before leaving Manila. This travel tax is required for all Filipinos going out of the country for holiday or vacation.
Accommodation
I mentioned in my 2019 Euro trip summary that accommodations in the continent are expensive. After the pandemic, I noticed that accommodation rates got more expensive in general. I still cannot afford staying in these hotels and private rooms so I opted in staying with hostels again! I am happy I found a travel buddy / friend who is also keen on staying in hostels to save some cash. Just like before, I stayed in popular and high-rated hostels found in central and well-recommended locations.
Schengen tourist visa applications require a travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical coverage for the duration of the trip, some even up to 15 to 30 days after the trip.
I got my travel insurance from Oona Insurance (previously known as Mapfre Insurance) and paid ₱1,969.43 (€34.95) for a 35-day coverage.
Travelling around Europe is a lot easier when you are connected to the internet throughout the trip. I did not want to get lost during the trip so I ordered a 3UK internet sim card from Travel Sim PH Shopee Store (not sponsored). I got the sim card that has 12GB data allocation valid for 1 month after activation. I paid ₱1,521 for this sim card including shipping fee and had it delivered at home weeks before the trip.
Pre-Booked Tickets & Tours
Weeks before our trip, my friend and I booked several tickets that we will use for the trip. We booked our bus tickets from Rome to Florence, Florence to Milan and the return bus tickets to Serravalle Designer Outlet. We also booked entry tickets to museums like the Vatican Museums in Vatican, Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence and the Last Supper in Milan. We also booked day trips to the Colosseum in Rome, Tuscany countryside in Florence and Lake Como in Milan.
All these tickets were booked using our credit cards and cost us ₱20,206.70 each.
Daily Expenses
I tried to set a daily budget for the trip but I noticed I have been spending more than the allotted amount. I decided to just let things go with the flow. Most of the day-to-day expenses came from food and transportation. I brought some euros to Europe and used my credit card for other purchases.
POCKET MONEY
Before leaving for Europe, I managed to change some cash to Euros to serve as my pocket. I changed ₱29,980 worth of Philippine pesos to €500. Towards the end of my stay in Italy, I also withdrew some cash from the ATM. The withdrawal cost me ₱9,435.93 including the international withdrawal charges.
I used the cash for day-to-day expenses like transportation and food. I also used the money to get my Navigo card and Paris Museum Pass in Paris.
TRAVEL EXPENSES CHARGED TO CREDIT CARD
Credit cards are widely accepted in Europe. In fact, it is the preferred mode of payment of some establishments. I used my credit cards a lot of times during the trip – mostly for food and transportation.
FOOD
I tapped my card in a lot of restaurants, fast food chains, hostel buffets and supermarkets during the trip. For instance, I used my card in paying for all the hostel breakfast buffets I availed at The RomeHello and YEAH Hostel Barcelona. I also used it in various restaurants in Florence, Milan and Barcelona. I even used my credit card in getting food from different fast-food chains and supermarkets.
In total, I charged ₱20,424.28 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) only for food.
TRANSPORTATION
I also used my credit card in paying for transportation costs like airport trains, subways, buses and ride-hailing applications such as Uber, Bolt and FreeNow. In total, I charged ₱6,865.51 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) for all transportation-related expenses.
Summary of Expenses
Here is the summary of all the expenses mentioned above.
The total amount spent for this 24-day trip around France, Italy and Spain is ₱167,752.45. This total cost includes flight tickets, accommodation bookings, visa application fees, travel insurance, entry tickets, food and transportation costs.
Please do not get me wrong, ₱167,752.45 is a big amount of money. At the same time, it was everything I spent for a 24-day trip to Europe from the Philippines. It may be a little over 40% higher than my 2019 Euro trip but it is still cheap given all the places I have been to in this trip.
Blog List
Here is the list of blog posts that are related to this 2022 trip to Europe.
Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Is there anything you want to ask how I planned the trip in general? Or maybe how I made it happen? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. You can also send it via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thank you for joining me in summarizing my 2022 trip to Europe. I may be months behind in posting everything about this trip but I hope it is never too late to share these details. I would like to thank my N9 friends for joining me in this life-changing and memorable trip to Europe. I cannot wait to go back to the continent in the future!
Feel free to follow me on my social media channels for more information on cheap fares, thrift hacks & fun itineraries – Facebook & Instagram. I will end this post with this statement. I DID IT AGAIN – 24 DAYS AROUND FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN FOR LESS THAN ₱170,000 ALL IN AND I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!
