US Embassy News - Philippines - September 6, 2024

Mabuhay everyone!

Today, I have some exciting news for those of you planning to travel to the United States or seeking consular services in the Philippines.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila has announced some major changes that will take effect on September 28, 2024.

New Visa Application Center

First up, the U.S. Embassy is opening a brand new Visa Application Center, or VAC for short.

This facility will be located in Parañaque City, specifically at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, on Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard.

Here's what you need to know:

• Starting September 28, both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants will need to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC.
• At this appointment, you'll have your photo taken and fingerprints scanned.
• This step is required before your interview at the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard.

Important note: If you've already scheduled a visa interview before September 28, don't worry!

You're not affected by this change and should proceed directly to your Embassy appointment as planned.

Updated Visa Appointment System

Along with the new VAC, the Embassy is launching an updated online appointment system. Here's what to expect:

• The new system will be available online on September 28.
• It promises a secure and user-friendly interface for visa applicants.
• If you have an existing account, you'll need to sign in using your registered email address to retrieve your user profile.

Operating Hours

The new Visa Application Center will have the following hours:

• Monday through Friday, seven am to four pm.
• Saturdays, from seven am to eleven am.

No appointment is needed if you're just picking up your passport or dropping off interview waiver visa applications and other documents. You can do this Monday through Friday, seven am to four pm.

Expanded Services for U.S. Citizens

The Embassy is also expanding its services for U.S. citizens in the Philippines:

• A new call center will be launched for general, non-emergency American Citizen Services inquiries.
• U.S. citizens can call for passport, citizenship, and notarial service questions.
• A new website and email service will be available for ACS services.

Conclusion

That's a wrap on these exciting updates from the U.S. Embassy in Manila!

Remember, these changes take effect on September 28, 2024. For the latest information, keep an eye on the U.S. Embassy website and their social media accounts.

Safe travels, everyone!

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