There will be an additional step for those applying for the US visa.
The US Embassy in Manila is now requiring applicants to process their biometrics not in the US Embassy anymore, but in another location.
Starting September 28, immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants seeking interview appointments will be required to schedule a separate appointment at the new Visa Application Center (VAC) at Parqal Building 8 on Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Barangay Tambo in Parañaque City.
There they will undergo photo capture and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the US Embassy in Manila.
Scheduling will be done through the new and redesigned online appointment system, according to the embassy.
"Applicants who have scheduled a visa interview before September 28 will not be affected by this change and should proceed directly to their appointment at the Embassy," the embassy said.
According to the embassy, the new online appointment system will feature a secure and user-friendly interface for visa applicants. It will be 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-registered email address to retrieve their user profile, which includes payment receipts and appointment information.
The VAC will offer appointment slots from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays.
No appointment is needed for applicants who would like to pick up their passports or drop off interview waiver visa applications and other required documents from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, it added.
The US Embassy will also launch a call center for customers with general, non-emergency American Citizen Services (ACS) inquiries.
US 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.
Further, the US Embassy will launch a new and dedicated website (ustraveldocs.com/ph/en/american-citizens-services) and email ([email protected]) 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 [email protected].