The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announced it will soon open a new Visa Application Center (VAC) as well as expand phone and online services.

Key Points:

  • The new VAC, located in Parañaque City in the Metropolitan Manila area, opens Sept. 28.
    • Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants making appointments from Sept. 28 onward will need to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC for photos and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the U.S. Embassy.
    • A new online appointment system will launch on Sept. 28.
  •  The U.S. Embassy is also launching a call center as well as a new website for nonemergency American Citizen Services inquiries.

Additional Information: Visa applicants whose interview appointment is scheduled before Sept. 28 will not be affected by these changes. Once the VAC opens, no appointment will be needed for applicants who are picking up their passports or dropping off interview waiver visa applications and other required documents.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.