Okay, I know I previously wrote how costly it can be when applying for a tourist visa to USA but I didn’t know it will also be THIS expensive to get the Au Pair visa. Initially, I thought I would only be paying for the fees in having my documents Authenticated (budget php 1000) and the Visa Application fee (php 8000), I was hell wrong. I will try my best to enumerate all the money I spent for the J-1 Visa.
Things to note:
- Home: Cubao, Quezon City
- DFA Office in Ali Mall (**Feedback hyperlink**)
- NSO in East Ave. (**feedback**)
- Medical Exam in Sparks Place Cubao
- Local Agency in Makati (**SSYEI feedback hyperlink**)
- US Embassy in Manila (**visa application instruction hyperlink)
- Currency in Philippine Peso and Prices as of 2016, otherwise specified
March 15, 2016 – Day 1 : Process Required Docs
– Jeep to NSO (East Ave.): 7.00
– NSO Doc Fee: 335.00 (Birth Cert – 140; Cenomar – 195)
– Jeep going home: 7.00
March 16, 2016 – Day 2 : Process Required Docs
– Jeep to EDSA: 7.00
– Bus to Valenzuela: 28.00
– College TOR: 150.00 (Note: HS TOR is Required but I wanted to bring my College records too)
– Bus back to Cubao: 30.00
– Jeep going home: 7.00
March 17, 2016 – Day 3 : Process Required Docs
– Ask Mom to request for HS TOR and Diploma verified by DFA.
– Note: My HS is back in the province of Leyte which was destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan.
– Mom needs to visit CHED office for Region 8 – she did on this day but Director is not around.
– It took 2 weeks before my mother was able to get a hold of the very “Busy”Regional Director. Got him signed the Docs.
– Once verified by Regional CHED office, it has to be verified by DFA, in Manila.
– Total Cost: 1110.00 (Doc Sent to Province – 180; Sent back to MNL – 180; Stamp/Signature from Ched – 250; Ched Snack – 500 [to get my papers moving])
March 18, 2016 – Day 4 : Process Required Docs
– Medical Check Up – Free (because the company I worked for had an Annual Check up)
– Med Cert – 350.00 (for the results, signature, etc.)
—— Waiting Game …… 2-3 weeks later ——-
April 6, 2016 – Day 5 : Process Required Docs
– Jeep to NSO: 7.00
– Receive NSO and Cenomar
– Jeep to EDSA: 7.00
– Bus to Valenzuela: 23.00
– Collect TOR
April 7, 2016 – Day 6 : Process Required Docs
– Jeep to DFA: 7.00
– DFA CAV fee: 800.00 [TOR, Birth Cert, Cenomar] (200.00/doc for Rush after a day; 100.00/doc for Regular after 1 weeks)
– Bus to Magallanes (Heading to Local Agency): 30.00
– Jeep to City Land, Makati: 7.00
– Submit Photocopy/unauthenticated Docs (Local Agency Feedback in different Post)
– Jeep going back to Cubao: 35.00
– Tricycle going home: 25.00
April 11, 2016 – Day 7 : Process Required Docs
– Jeep to EDSA: 7.00
– Bus to Magallanes: 30.00
– Jeep to Makati: 7.00
– Show the Office your Authenticated Copy of Docs (Note: YOU keep the CAV)
– The Local Agency will now provide you the Banking details and the Fees you have to Pay
– Jeep to EDSA: 7.00
– Bus to Cubao: 35.00
– Tricycle going Home: 25.00
April 12, 2016 – Day 8 : (Real) Application Process Start
– Jeep to Farmer’s Cubao/RCBC: 7.00
– Deposit Local Agency/Program Fee: USD 1,200 (php 58,400 – Tip: Request a copy of deposit slip from the Bank)
– Bus to Magallanes: 30.00
– Jeep to Makati: 7.00
– Submit a copy of Program Fee Deposit Slip; Then they’ll give you another instruction to pay for the VISA Application Fee (you can get this by yourself online)
– Jeep to EDSA: 7.00
– Bus to Cubao: 35.00
– Tric Home: 25.00
April 14, 2016 – Day 8 : (Real) Application Process Start
– Tric to BPI: 25.00 (Note: US Visa Application can only be paid in BPI, bring the receipt number or the piece of paper the Agency gave you because the bank and you will need it)
– Deposit Visa Application fee: 7,860 (TIP: Pay this before 10am so you can schedule an Appointment 4 hour after. Do not repeat my mistake, I deposited after Lunch and I had to wait until 4pm the following day to schedule an appointment. Every minute counts since a lot of people is applying for a visa).
– Tric going home: 25.00
April 19, 2016 – Day 9 : (Real) Application Process Start
– I was lucky to get the single available spot just a couple of days after I paid.
– Uber going to US Embassy: 280.00 (Don’t stress yourself with traffic, you have to look pleasant in front of the Consular Officer)
– Interview Info in diff post.
– FX going to EDSA: 35.00
– Bus to Cubao: 25.00
– Tric going Home: 25.00
May 13, 2016 – Day 9 : CFO Orientation
– FX to Buendia: 50.00
– Taxi Buendia to CFO Office: 70.00
– CFO Fee: 450.00
– Pedecab Back to Buendia: 50.00
– FX back to Cubao: 50.00
– Tric going Home: 25.00
—– After two months of processing and 3 weeks after getting approved —-
May 18, 2016 – Flight Date to USA
– Uber to Airport: 305
– Travel Tax: 1,650
Total: 72,519.00
> Is this cash-out worth it? Follow my future blog on my experience.
Disclaimer: The total does not include the photocopy fees, snacks and waters I purchased. I’m a thrifty person so I bring food/water whenever I can.
**Please note that I am still working with other post/links and I’ll try to update the soonest.
dummies Info 