MANILA — Starting September 28, all US visa applicants will have to book two appointments.

Scheduling will still be done through the same website, but the page will have a new user-friendly interface that will require two appointments. 

One, for the submission of the application form and biometrics at the Embassy’s new Visa Application Center (VAC) and another, for a visa interview at the US Embassy in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

New applicants still need to register and create a profile online in order to access the online booking system, while those with existing accounts will be required to login again, using previously registered email addresses.

The US Embassy’s new VAC is located on the third floor of Parqal Building 8 in Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque City. 

All types of visa applicants, including both non-immigrant and immigrant visas will have to go through the VAC for a photo capture and fingerprint scan, before they can proceed to the visa interview at the US Embassy.

The new facility was created in order to expand the US Embassy’s consular services and capacity, according to Visa Chief Rob Romanowski.

“This is a standard feature of some of our largest consulate stations worldwide and Manila certainly one of our biggest consular operations that we have worldwide,” Romanowski said.

In 2023, the US Embassy in the Philippines processed and issued 30,000 immigrant visas and over 300,000 non-immigrant visas, which is not only higher by 20% from the previous year, but is also higher than even the US Embassy’s pre-pandemic figures.

The new VAC is expected to handle an average traffic of 1,000 applicants per day. 

Applicants are advised to be at the venue 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. 

Although it may also sound like an added step to the process, the VAC aims faster processing of each applicant by limiting it to under 10 minutes. 

Another good news is that approval rate for Filiipino visa applicants is quite high, Romanowski said.

“For non-immigrant visas, approval rate is about 80%, so I think quite high worldwide. For immigrant visas it’s much, much higher. Because immigrant visas for the applicants, they come with approved petitions from the United States,” Romanowski said.

The US Embassy Consular Section also advises applicants to read documentary requirements carefully and to stick to the list provided. US Embassy officials already debunked previously, several false information about the visa application process, including claims to bring property titles, letter of endorsments and other proof of financial capability.

“Dos and don’ts for customers, you know be honest, be prepared. Those are you know, I think the common features of a visa interview. For people that are just going for a temporary travel, you need to show, especially for a tourist and visitors, you need to show to the visa (applicant) that your travel to the United States is, there’s legitimate purpose and you have intent to return,” Romanowski added.

For the VAC appointment, one will only need a printed copy of the appointment confirmation, the application form, a 2x2 photo and the applicant’s Philippine passport.

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.

Applicants meanwhile, 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.