Entry requirements for Guam are the same as for any U.S. destination. Although U.S. citizens are required to possess a U.S. passport, on a case-by-case basis, photo I.D. and proof of citizenship may be accepted. Citizens of most other countries must have a valid passport with a U.S. visa.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
1. PASSPORT – Signed passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of intended departure from the United States. The passport must be in good condition, i.e., photo lamination is undamaged, and all passport pages are intact.
Applicants must also present all previously issued passports or notarized affidavits of loss, if applicable.
2. APPLICATION FEE – Visa application fee receipt issued by the bank
3. APPLICATION FORMS – Both completed application forms (DS-156 & DS-157) are needed for each person, regardless of age. All questions must be filled out with a high level of accuracy. Errors and incomplete information may result in a visa processing delay.
a) DS-156 Form – Starting 01 November 2006, handwritten or typed Visa Application DS-156 Forms will no longer be accepted. Visa application forms printed from the Internet and then filled out by hand or typed on a typewriter will not be accepted. Please fill out the form online, and then print it out using a laser printer. The printout will be three pages in length and include the two-dimensional barcode page. Make sure that the barcode is printed clearly and completely, with no lines broken or torn. Only use laser jet or inkjet printers and good quality copy paper when printing the online DS-156 Form.
Please recheck the completed form to ensure its accuracy. If you must make changes, please fill out another one.
b) DS-157 Form – Applicants should also complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Supplemental Application DS-157 Form. The form is provided at the bank where fees are paid. Applicants must ensure that the back of the DS-157 Form is machine-validated with check-rite. The U.S. Embassy does not validate DS-157 Forms.
Applicants whose DS-157 Form is not machine-validated with check-rite will NOT be allowed to enter the Embassy premises. The applicant will then have to book another interview appointment. Re-bookings do not require another application fee.
4. PHOTO – One 2” x 2” standard, full-frontal face position color photo against a white background taken within the last six (6) months is required. The photo must be glued or stapled to the application form where specified. Note: The U.S. Embassy Manila also requires that both ears be showing in the photo.
OVERCOMING PRESUMPTION OF IMMIGRANT INTENT UNDER U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT SECTION 214(b)
All B-1, B-2, F-1, F-2, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, J-1, J-2, M-1, M-2, O-2, P-1, P-2, P-3, and Q-1, applicants must qualify under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The Act which states:
"Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the officer, at the time of the application for a visa... that he is entitled to nonimmigrant status..."
Essentially, the visa officer needs to see that the applicant has compelling reasons to return to the Philippines. By law, the burden of proof is on the applicant to show that he or she qualifies for the visa. This proof may come in many forms, but when considered together, it must be strong enough for the interviewing officer to conclude that the applicant’s ties to the Philippines will compel him or her to return at the end of a temporary stay in the United States.
Applicant must submit the following additional documentary requirements:
1. Evidence of ties and financial status of the applicant, or the applicant’s parents, if minor, in the Philippines .
2. If the purpose of the travel is for pleasure – documents concerning purpose and length of the trip and ability to cover the costs of the trip.
3. Proof of travel medical insurance for applicants who might be at risk of requiring medical care while in the United States.
In certain cases, additional documents may be requested.
All documents must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted, unless specified. The applicant must submit these documents to the interviewing consular officer during the interview. The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit does not accept documents before the interview. Any documents received will not bereturned and will be destroyed. Please note, however, that presentation of the documents will not guarantee visa issuance. Applicants must still qualify under INA Section 214(b).
EVIDENCE OF TIES
Ties are the aspects of one’s life that bind him or her to his or her place of residence, including family relationships, employment and possessions. In the case of younger applicants, who may not have had an opportunity to establish such ties, interviewing officers may look at educational status, grades, the situation of their parents, and the applicant's long-range plans and prospects in the Philippines. As each person's situation is different, there is no set answer as to what constitutes adequate ties.
The interviewing consular officer may request supporting documents during the interview. Be prepared to present evidence of the applicant’s or the applicant’s parents’ (if the applicant is a minor) ties and financial status in the Philippines such as :
1. Bank statements for the last three (3) months and both current and former bank account passbooks
2. Employment certification including salary, tenure and position
3. Form W-2
4. Income tax return with Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) or bank stamp
5. Audited financial statement with BIR or bank stamp
6. Pay slips for the last three (3) months
7. Credit card statements for the prior three months
8. Vehicle registration with official receipt
9. Land titles (no certified copies please)
10. Pictures of family, home or business
11. Wedding photos
12. Marriage certificate printed on the Philippine National Statistics Office security paper, if applicable
13. Birth certificate printed on the Philippine National Statistics Office security paper
14. For students, certificate of school registration
15. Certification of membership to legitimate organization(s)
Due to the large volume of applications processed each day, consular officers may not always look at supporting documents, unless there are points in the application forms or in the interview that need clarification.