Getting a visa renewed is no joke. First you have to pay $100 in it's peso bank exchange for that day in a BPI or Citibank branch authorized. Get the DS-157 form with the check-rite markings at the back (you will need this. you will not gain entry if you lose this: proof of payment). Then fill our the electronic application form in the embassy website:
http://evisaforms.state.gov/ and then proceed to make an appointment.
Now choosing an appointment date is another thing: I have been told that it's better to apply in the first 2 weeks of the month because they still have not exhausted their "quota". Dunno if this is true but I followed that rule anyway. Usually dates and times are filled fast. When I logged in VisaPoint, appointments were 3 weeks away. (Oh, the agony of waiting. It is adviced to get necessary documents ready once you make an appointment. I prepared mine after.)
Two ways to schedule an appointment: through phone: 1-909-101-7878 or by VisaPoint:
http://philippines.usembassy.gov/wwwhvpnt.htmlThen the waiting begins. Once you get inside the embassy premise and have submitted your forms to the first window you're supposed to go to, then wait and wait until your number is called for fingerprinting. When you're called, it goes faster from there. You don't get to leave the air-conditioned hall either (the pavilion where I came from was hot as hell--fans didn't help. they need some sort of factory fan exhaust to make the pavilion less humid). You wait till your number is called again and you line up for your turn at the consul. Then you get interrogated and see if you get a yellow slip or your passport is returned. This time I got a yellow slip. Yay!
