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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News
(SDN) — Filipinos crazy about immigrating, or needing or wanting, to travel to the United States, either for work, study, or just plain touristic purpose have a bit of easier time applying for a visa.
Or, so it seems.
It appears the U.S. Embassy in Manila has heard Filipinos’ clamor for more visa application hubs, or systems, as embassy officials have for sure been seeing the long queues outside of the Chancery along Roxas Avenue, Manila, Metro Manila. Queues start long before dawn signals the morning sun’s appearance on the horizon.
Visa applicants patiently await the opening of the embassy’s heavily guarded gate, with the U.S. Embassy seal prominently displayed on the still frame.
Perhaps, no surprise about that because as Business Mirror reported the Uncle Sam’s embassy in Manila is the second biggest consular office that processes more than 300,000 annual applications. Consider that there are more than 4.5 million Filipinos in the U.S.
On Friday, August 6, the embassy announced the opening of a new Visa Application Center (VAC) starting on September 28. The announcement includes the launch of an updated visa appointment system, and the expansion of call center services catering to American citizens in the Philippines on the same date as well.
It’s a great development under the leadership of U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson who assumed her post in July 2022.
There’s a catch, though: With the new VAC and a new system, applicants have to undergo two online appointments, for biometrics scanning (VAC) and interview (as usual at the embassy in Roxas Boulevard).
No need for appointment if applicant already has schedule before 09/28
As quoted by Business Mirrror, US Embassy spokesman Kanishka Gangopadhyay explained the reason why.
“Visa Application Centers are used at many of our embassies and consulates, and our consular section in Manila is one of the world’s largest. The new VAC will help us meet an ever-growing demand for U.S. visas in the Philippines.”
The embassy said the new VAC will be housed at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, Barangay Tambo, Paranaque City, Metro Manila.
“Immigrant and nonimmigrant applicant visa applicants seeking interview appointments starting September 28 will be required to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC for photo capture and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard. Scheduling will be done through the new and redesigned online system at the Embassy,” the announcement explains.
On the other hand, applicants with already a scheduled visa interview before the VAC’s opening do not have to worry because they will not be affected by the changes being introduced. So, they should, as usual, proceed directly to their embassy appointment.
Coming with the changes in the new online appointment system is a feature of a secure and user-friendly interface for visa applicants that will be made available on September 28 on ustraveldocs.com/ph.
“Applicants who have existing accounts in the current visa appointment system will be required to sign in to the new system using their already-reqistered email address to retrieve their user profile, which includes payment receipts and appointment information,” the embassy emphasizes.
With the changes, the embassy offers appointment slots from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday to Friday, and 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Saturday.
Good thing is that applicants who are scheduled to pick up their passports or drop off interview waiver visa applications and other documents from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday do not need an appointment.
Additionally, the U.S. Embassy will launch a call center for customers with general, non-emergency American Citizen Services (ACS) inquiries. U.S. citizens can call consular hotlines at (+632) 7792-8988 or (+632) 8548-8223, or (703) 520-2235 for callers in the United States, with passport, citizenship, and notarial service questions. The U.S. Embassy will also launch a new and dedicated website (ustraveldocs.com/ph/en/american-citizens-services ) and email (support-acs-philippines@usvisascheduling.com) for these ACS services on September 28. Inquiries not related to passport, citizenship, or notarials should still be sent to the embassy’s ACS unit directly via ACSInfoManila@state.gov.
Updates regarding these changes will be posted on the U.S. Embassy website (ph.usembassy.gov) and on the Embassy’s Facebook (facebook.com/USEmbassyPH/ ) and X account (@USEmbassyPH (/)