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What documents do I need to move to United States as a Philippines citizen?

Typical pathway: Work Visa

Last verified: September 22, 2026

• Philippine passport (machine-readable, valid at least 6 months beyond intended U.S. stay) (before) — Source: https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/
  Original DFA-issued Philippine passport used for the DS-160, the visa interview, and visa foil placement. The passport must be valid for travel to the United States ; some travelers benefit from the 6-month validity extension agreement, but verify with the U.S. Embassy Manila before booking.
• Form I-797 Notice of Action (approved Form I-129 petition) (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
  Employer-obtained approval notice proving the nonimmigrant worker petition was approved. Each temporary worker visa requires the prospective employer to first file a petition with USCIS, and an approved petition is required to apply for a work visa. The petition receipt number as printed on the Form I-129 or Form I-797 is needed for the visa application.
• Form I-129S (L blanket petition beneficiaries only) (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
  Separate from the I-797: L visa applicants included in an L blanket petition must bring Form I-129S to the interview. Not applicable to H-1B, H-2, O, or P applicants.
• DS-160 confirmation page with barcode (before) — Source: U.S. Department of State – Consular Electronic Application Center (ceac.state.gov/genniv)
  Printed confirmation page of the completed online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, submitted before scheduling appointments in the Philippines. This is the application record itself, not the appointment letter.
• MRV visa application fee receipt (before) — Source: https://ph.usembassy.gov/important-visa-information/
  Proof of payment of the nonimmigrant visa application fee, paid through the payment channels designated for Philippine applicants before an appointment can be booked. Fee amounts change; confirm the current amount on the U.S. Visa Information Service site for the Philippines.
• VAC appointment letter and U.S. Embassy Manila interview appointment letter (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MNL-Manila.html
  Two separate printed confirmations. Applicants scheduling or rescheduling must secure TWO appointments: an initial appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) and the visa interview at the Embassy. Failure to schedule the VAC appointment before the Embassy appointment results in cancellation of the visa interview.
• Digital visa photograph (and one printed backup print) (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
  A compliant colour photo uploaded with the DS-160. If the photo upload fails, the applicant must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements. Distinct from the fingerprint/biometric capture done at the VAC or interview.
• Employer job offer letter / signed employment contract with salary and worksite details (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
  Employer-issued letter confirming the position, wage, duration and U.S. worksite, used at the consular interview and later for DMW contract verification. Additional documents may be requested to establish that you are qualified.
• Certified Labor Condition Application (ETA-9035) copy — H-1B applicants (before) — Source: U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Foreign Labor Certification
  The DOL-certified LCA filed with the H-1B petition; typically supplied by the employer as part of the petition packet and commonly carried with the petition copy. Not applicable to H-2A/H-2B (which use temporary labor certification) or to O/P categories.
• Academic credentials: diploma, PSA-authenticated transcript of records, and PRC professional licence (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
  Original Philippine educational and licensing documents supporting a specialty occupation claim. H-1B applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in the specialty occupation. Nursing, teaching and allied-health applicants should also carry CGFNS/VisaScreen or board certificates where applicable.
• DMW Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or OFW Travel Pass (before) — Source: https://dmw.gov.ph/online-services
  Philippine-side exit clearance issued by the Department of Migrant Workers. The OEC, now transitioning to the OFW Travel Pass, is the official travel exit clearance for OFWs and certifies that employment is registered with the DMW; it is presented only on exit from the Philippines. OECs issued through the E-Registration portal are valid for 60 days from issuance. Processing route differs for agency hires vs. direct hires — confirm with DMW.
• PEOS and PDOS certificates for first-time overseas workers (before) — Source: https://dmw.gov.ph/online-services
  Two distinct seminar certificates required in DMW processing. The Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) is usually taken online before processing and, for direct hires, the DMW FAQ states the PEOS certificate is part of Phase 2 requirements. PDOS is a half-day seminar mandatory for first-time overseas workers. Note: emigrants leaving permanently attend PDOS with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas instead — verify which applies to your case.
• PSA-issued birth certificate and marriage certificate (originals on security paper) (before) — Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
  Needed for DMW registration, for dependant H-4/L-2 visa applications, and later for U.S. benefit and school enrolment purposes. Distinct from photocopies of the passport biographical page.
• Complete copy of the filed I-129 petition packet for port-of-entry inspection (during) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
  A carry-on copy of the petition and supporting documents (kept separate from the original I-797) to present to CBP officers if questioned on arrival. When admitted, you may get an admission stamp or Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
• Electronic Form I-94 arrival/departure record printout (during) — Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection – i94.cbp.dhs.gov
  Retrieved from the CBP I-94 website after each admission; it confirms your class of admission and authorized period of stay, and must be checked for errors immediately after entry.
• Social Security card application (Form SS-5) filed at an SSA field office (during) — Source: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm
  For a foreign worker, SSA needs to see the I-94 or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport showing a class of admission permitting work. Original documents proving age, identity and work-authorized status must be presented, and all evidence of status must be unexpired. Wait roughly 10 days after entry so DHS records can be verified.
• Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification documents for the U.S. employer (during) — Source: USCIS – Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
  Completed with the employer on or before the first day of work, using the unexpired Philippine passport with the visa foil plus the I-94 (List A combination). This is an employer compliance record, separate from the SSN application.
• State driver's license or state-issued non-driver ID (after) — Source: U.S. state Department of Motor Vehicles (varies by state)
  Primary day-to-day U.S. identification for banking, housing and domestic travel; applications require passport, visa, I-94 and usually the SSN or proof of SSN ineligibility. Many states require that you or your dependent have an SSN or have already applied for one before applying for a driver's license. Requirements vary by state DMV — verify locally.
• Form AR-11 change of address notification to USCIS (after) — Source: USCIS – Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card
  Nonimmigrants must report each change of U.S. residential address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. File online through a USCIS account or by paper Form AR-11; this is separate from any USPS mail-forwarding request.
• Form W-7 ITIN application for non-working dependants (after) — Source: Internal Revenue Service – Form W-7
  Foreign-born family members who are not eligible to work or will not be working can be issued ITINs by the IRS so they can be included as dependants on the annual tax return. Filed with the U.S. tax return; not a substitute for an SSN.
• Extension-of-stay or change-of-employer petition evidence (Form I-129 / I-797 receipt) (after) — Source: https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM040210.html
  To maintain lawful status beyond the I-94 expiry or when switching employers. When entering while a new petition is pending, the visa holder must present a dated filing receipt or other evidence that a new petition was filed timely; after approval, the new Form I-797 must be presented in addition to the visa.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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