US Embassy cancels non-immigrant visa appointments until July 30, 2021

The United States Embassy in Manila has canceled nonimmigrant visa appointments until July 30, citing worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those affected are those applying for the B1/B2 visa or Business/Tourist visa, an embassy statement said.

Once routine visa services resume, applicants should reschedule their visa interviews through the embassy call center by phone at (+632) 7792-8988 and (+632) 8548-8223, or through the online appointment system at ustraveldocs.com/ph.

"There is no fee to change an appointment, and the validity of the visa fee payment (known as the MRV fee) is extended until September 30, 2022 to allow applicants who are unable to schedule a visa appointment because of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa interview appointment with the already paid fee," the embassy said.

In 2018 alone, the embassy, which houses one of the largest consular sections in the world, has issued a total of 204,137 visas. On the average, the embassy receives 1,200 to 1,500 applications a day.

The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In July 2020, US embassies and consulates began a phased resumption of routine visa services.

Resumption of routine visa services, however, is on a post-by-post basis, in coordination with the State Department’s framework for the safe return of its workforce to its offices and facilities, the embassy said.

Despite limitations, US embassies and consulates worldwide have  continued to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services since March, the embassy said, adding they "will continue to do so as they are able."

"As post-specific conditions improve, our missions have begun providing additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services," the embassy said.

For questions and case-specific inquiries, applicants may contact the Embassy’s Consular Communications Group (for Nonimmigrant Visas) at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/nonimmigrant-visa-inquiry-form/. — Michaela Del Callar/RSJ, GMA News