The COVID-19 surge in the country and around the world, presumably by the hyper transmissible Omicron variant, continues to paralyze operations across all sectors, including the consular services of the foreign embassies like the United States.
In an advisory, the US Embassy in Manila said they have canceled the non-immigrant visitor (B1/B2) visa interview appointments scheduled until February 18, 2022.
B1 visas are for business and B2 visas are for tourists only. Visa interviews are done face-to-face at the Embassy premises.
Applicants can only reschedule their canceled visa interview once “routine business and tourism (B1/B2) visa services resume.” It is not known when it would be, but they are advised to monitor their website at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-updates/ for updates.
“There is no need to contact us at this time,” the Embassy said.
Once services for B1/B2 applicants resume, applicants may then contact the Embassy call center at (+632) 7792-8988 and (+632) 8548-8223, or through the online appointment system at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph.
“There is no fee to change an appointment, and the validity of the visa fee payment (known as the MRV fee) is extended until September 30, 2023 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 Embassy added.