Renewing a tourist visa using drop box program

I got an email from Rody asking me if I could help him renew his tourist visa. After asking him some key questions, I told him that may qualify for an interview waiver also known as the “drop box program” of the US Consulate. He was surprised to learn that such program exists since he thought that it was already discontinued some time ago.

Yes, you can renew your tourist visa through the drop box program. This means that you do not need to appear at the US Consulate in Manila for a personal interview if the following circumstances apply to you:

1.You have a B1/B2 visa that you want to renew;

2.Your B1/B2 visa was issued after July 1, 2007;

3.It was valid for at least five years;

4.Your B1/B2 visa is still valid or expired within the last 12 months;

5.You are a Filipino citizen;

6.Your B1/B2 visa does not say “Clearance Received” or “Travel with Employer”;

7.You possess your passport with the B1/B2 visa;

8.Your B1/B2 was issued on or after your 14th birthday;

9.The last time you applied for a B1/B2 visa, it was approved.

If you do not qualify in any of the abovementioned criteria, you have to go through the usual route of scheduling an interview appointment. If you qualify, the next steps are the following:

1.Pay the tourist visa application fee;

2.Fill out Form DS-160 online;

3.Register an online account at https://cgifederal.secure.force.com;

4.After you have registered, you will receive a drop box confirmation letter which you have to print and mail together with your passport with the current B1/B2 visa, passport style photos, DS-160 confirmation page and your proof of payment;

5.Deliver all these documents to any 2Go outlet that accepts drop box service.

You will receive your passport and visa after your application is approved. However, submitting through the drop box program does not mean that your renewal application is automatically granted. You may still be required to appear at the US Consulate for a personal interview if they want you to.

But if you feel you qualify for the program, I would say that you take advantage of it. This would save you a lot of time and expenses compared to traveling to Manila.