Starting September 28, all US visa applicants will need to schedule two appointments. The first appointment will be at the Embassy's new Visa Application Center (VAC) for form submission and biometrics. The second appointment will be for the visa interview at the US Embassy in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Scheduling and New VAC Location
Scheduling will continue to be done online through a user-friendly system. New applicants must register and create a profile, while existing users will need to log in using their registered email addresses.
The new VAC is located on the third floor of Parqal Building 8 in Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque City. All visa applicants, including both non-immigrant and immigrant visas, will need to visit the VAC for a photo capture and fingerprint scan before proceeding to the visa interview.
Expanded Consular Services
The new facility aims to expand the US Embassy's consular services and capacity. In 2023, the Embassy processed over 300,000 non-immigrant visas and 30,000 immigrant visas, surpassing pre-pandemic figures. The new VAC is expected to handle an average of 1,000 applicants per day.
Appointment Guidelines and Approval Rates
Applicants are advised to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. The VAC aims to process each applicant in under 10 minutes. The approval rate for Filipino visa applicants is high, especially for immigrant visas.
Visa Interview Preparation
The US Embassy Consular Section advises applicants to carefully read the documentary requirements and stick to the provided list. Avoid bringing unnecessary documents like property titles, letters of endorsement, or proof of financial capability.
VAC Appointment Requirements
For the VAC appointment, applicants will need a printed copy of the appointment confirmation, the application form, a 2x2 photo, and their Philippine passport.
VAC Operating Hours
The VAC will offer appointment slots from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday, and from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturdays. No appointment is needed for passport pickup or interview waiver visa application submission.
Existing Appointments
Applicants with visa interviews scheduled before September 28 will not be affected by this change.
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