US Embassy cancels visa interviews amid rising COVID-19 cases
THE United States Embassy in Manila has canceled non-immigrant business and tourist visa interview appointments amid the rise in Covid-19 infections in the country and “significant worldwide challenges related to the pandemic.”
In a statement on Monday, the US Embassy said applicants who have scheduled visa interviews through Feb. 18, 2022 may reschedule their cancelled visa interview “once routine business and tourism (B1/B2) visa services resume.”
Their call center can be reached at (+632) 7792-8988 and (+632) 8548-8223, or through the online appointment system at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph.
“There is no need to contact us at this time. Please continue to monitor our website at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-updates/ for updates regarding the resumption of B1/B2 visa services at the US Embassy in the Philippines,” the advisory read.
It noted that there would not be a fee to change an appointment and the validity of the visa fee payment or MRV fee is extended until Sept. 30, 2023.
“This is to allow applicants who are unable to schedule a visa appointment because of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa interview appointment with the already paid fee,” the US Embassy said.
On Monday, the Department of Health reported 24,938 new cases of Covid-19 in the country, with active cases now at 262,997.
On the other hand, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported 145 new Covid-19 cases among Filipinos in the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and the Middle East and Africa over the previous week. Philippine News Agency
