US Embassy visa appointments cancelled until March

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) confirmed Monday that the United States Embassy in the Philippines has cancelled all visa appointments scheduled through March.

POEA said that the cancellation affects visa applications for H-1B, H-2B, L-1, J applicants in the intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel program, as well as any spouses or children of covered applicants applying for H-4, L-2, or J-2 visas.

The cancellation, POEA explained, “took effect with the signing on Dec. 31, 2020 of Presidential Proclamation on Suspension of Entry of Immigrants and Non-immigrants who continue to present a risk to the US labor market.”

Despite this, POEA noted that the US Embassies and Consulates “reassured the public of continued provision of emergency and mission-critical visa service” as well as the resumption of its visa operations once the global and Philippine conditions improve.

POEA explained that “once the routine visa services resume, all affected applicants can reschedule their visa interviews” through the Embassy call center or through its online appointment system at www.ustravelocs.com/ph.

“The said rescheduling of appointment is free of charge, and the validity of the applicants’ visa payment is extended until Sept. 30, 2022,” POEA added.