Philippines, one of US highest visa rates ap

MANILA – the Philippines has one of the highest visa approval rates in the world despite Filipinos’ perception that it is hard to obtain an American tourist visa in Manila. 

Consul General Michael Schimmel  made the disclosure at a forum, adding that visa application process for Filipinos, who would like to spend their holidays in the US, is not a difficult process as long as applicants confidently respond to the questions of the attending consul or visa officer and prove that they would return to the Philippines after their vacation.

“The Philippines has a much higher rate of approved visas than most people realize. In fact, seven out of 10 applicants in Manila last year were issued their visas,” Schimmel said at a US Travel and Tourism Networking Fair last month.

According to Schimmel, US visa applications need to go through the established procedural requirements. 

“Approval mainly depends on the applicant’s personal and professional qualifications and the stability of their ties to the Philippines,” he stressed.

The Philippines is one of the top countries in Asia with the most number of visa applications to the US.

Based on surveys, the US remains the top choice of destination for Filipino tourists.