US expects record high number of visas issued in PH
Published Jun 1, 2023 06:14 am
The US Embassy in Manila said Thursday, June 1, it is expecting to break this year its pre-pandemic record of the number of visas issued in the Philippines.
Consul General Mark McGovern said the consular section is "already on track to exceed" the 2019 record of 290,000 visas issued. Most of the applications the department is processing are non-immigrant visas, particulary for general tourism and general business purposes, he added.
"IÂ wouldn't be surprised if we get closer to about 300 to 325,000," McGovern said in a press briefing after the first ever media tour of the consular section of the US Embassy in Manila.
Photo courtesy of US Embassy in Manila
McGovern said he also noticed an increase in the number of those applying for immigrant visas. In fact, from October 2021 to September 2022, about 4,563 fiancé(e) visas were issued, which he called a "record number." McGovern attributed this to the rise in the number of US citizens getting married in the Philippines and wanting to bring their spouses to the US as well as of American citizens wanting to bring their fiancé/es to the US. Meanwhile, at the height of the pandemic, about two-thirds of the figures or some 200,000 visas were issued, largely due to travel restrictions. The increase in the number of issued visas came as the consular section started implementing process improvements and addressing backlogs due to the pandemic. Waiting time for visa appointments is also now shorted and visa renewals can now be done without the need for another interview. "About a year ago, the wait time for visa interview was close to two years just to get an appointment... It is now four to five months," McGovern said. "And we're trying to get that number down even lower. We're hoping to have it within two to three months by the end of the year of 2023," he added.
Photo courtesy of US Embassy in Manila
McGovern said he also noticed an increase in the number of those applying for immigrant visas. In fact, from October 2021 to September 2022, about 4,563 fiancé(e) visas were issued, which he called a "record number." McGovern attributed this to the rise in the number of US citizens getting married in the Philippines and wanting to bring their spouses to the US as well as of American citizens wanting to bring their fiancé/es to the US. Meanwhile, at the height of the pandemic, about two-thirds of the figures or some 200,000 visas were issued, largely due to travel restrictions. The increase in the number of issued visas came as the consular section started implementing process improvements and addressing backlogs due to the pandemic. Waiting time for visa appointments is also now shorted and visa renewals can now be done without the need for another interview. "About a year ago, the wait time for visa interview was close to two years just to get an appointment... It is now four to five months," McGovern said. "And we're trying to get that number down even lower. We're hoping to have it within two to three months by the end of the year of 2023," he added.