Best way to contact the embassy while in the Philippines?

[bendinlar 16]

What's the best way to call the embassy while here in the Philippines?

1-without burning all my load, and

2-the only phone I've got is my cell with prepaid globe.

I burnt like, P300 today to listen to the phone ring. Hoping there is a better way.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

bendinlar, on 28 Apr 2014 - 05:26 AM, said:bendinlar, on 28 Apr 2014 - 05:26 AM, said:

What's the best way to call the embassy while here in the Philippines?

1-without burning all my load, and

2-the only phone I've got is my cell with prepaid globe.

I burnt like, P300 today to listen to the phone ring. Hoping there is a better way.

According to their website the following message has been posted and may have had an impact on callers to USEM.

"The Embassy’s main trunk line 301-2000 is experiencing technical issues and prone to congestion. If your call can’t

get through please use these numbers: 301-2166 or 301-2177"

Try these numbers if you haven't had any luck: http://manila.usembassy.gov/contact.html

Edited April 28, 2014 by Greenbaum

[bendinlar 16]

I can get through, and dial the extensions, 5814/5815, but then it rings and rings.

Just looking for a cheaper way to call.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I can get through, and dial the extensions, 5814/5815, but then it rings and rings.

Just looking for a cheaper way to call.

The question is difficult to answer because you don't state where you are calling from and what is the reason for your inquiry (without being nosy you may want to list the question here as there are many who may have experienced your question and can answer it for you saving the problem of being on the phone and wasting money).

There are many ways to call that may be cheaper but do you have the time, investment or equipment. The best way would be a land line in the Philippines. If your outside the country you have vontage, skype and many others.

[JbTin 51]

My husband used to have this at&t calling card and thats the one i used to call them. $10 is i think 100+ minutes to call the us embassy number, not sure, i forgot. It's really tough to get a hold of them, i tried all numbers in their website but it just kept ringing, or would not ring at all but would take away your minutes. It was a pain ugh! Good luck though, just keep on trying and have lotsa patience.

[bendinlar 16]

calling from the philippines. im here, we filed dcf, and im trying to call to get the case number. the only phone line ive got is my cell, with a globe prepaid sim. i went through about 300 in load today trying to call, but once i get past the main answering machiene, the line rings and rings (i end up on hold waiting for an agent). we went to the misortel and philcom office, and the cheapest way to call seems to be the globe so far, but im hoping someone has a better idea.

thanks.

[Alona_Dan 0]

_{Often times I called and dialed the extension only to hear, "no one is available at this time" or it would ring and ring. I ended up dialing zero and talking to the operator and told them I cannot seem to get through and asked them to forward me. Sometimes that worked better but not 100% successful. Just something to try if you want}

[Greenbaum 12,259]

calling from the philippines. im here, we filed dcf, and im trying to call to get the case number. the only phone line ive got is my cell, with a globe prepaid sim. i went through about 300 in load today trying to call, but once i get past the main answering machiene, the line rings and rings (i end up on hold waiting for an agent). we went to the misortel and philcom office, and the cheapest way to call seems to be the globe so far, but im hoping someone has a better idea.

thanks.

I found this information while do some research on this topic. You might have better luck.

"What I did and only answering in this thread for you. Is I emailed ACS after 3 days. They will tell you if it is approved. Then they send it to the IVManila and will give you a MNL case number after they approve it. I gave them 3 business days it took however 5 days. I emailed them twice. Always best to send emails at 1pm Manila time. I had better luck at that time. Once they have that MNL case number you will send over the DS230 and DS2001. You email that to IVmanila in PDF Format. Give that 3 -5 days then go online and set your appointment. Ensure you read Turbota pinned thread on DCF and have all forms and documents. Also give yourself enough time for the Physical (s).

I went on Monday and visa interview was slated for Thursday. Thus ensuring I had enough time for an oops. Paragon Tower is nice hotel and can hit St Lukes with a stone from the door. I had my visa in hand in 35 days. 28 days to interview would have been sooner but a holiday and combining the Physical and Interview to one trip caused us to move it.

This is the email to see if DCF was approved

mphinquiry.cis@uscis.dhs.gov

This is the email for NVC to get MNL case number

IVManilaReplies@state.gov

You will need to print that email of appointment letter one for St Lukes and one for the Embassy. You will also need more passport photos 3 2 St Lukes and 1 Embassy. Do not wait for letter to arrive they never come. Just email. Good luck."

[Al422 221]

Are you in Manila? If so, just go there

[Teripid 5]

Skype will allow you to make a call at a very reasonable rate, just use the +63 country code. I think it is maybe $0.10 per minute give or take so you should come out well ahead. Works even better for calling a US number and you can use it from any net cafe.

[bendinlar 16]

Well it turns out i didnt need to call, fine time to find that out.

once the case number was assigned, it was sent with packet 3 to the two addresses we gave them on the contact info sheet they had us fill out when we put in the petition. a week and a day after submitting our petition weve got our case number.

thanks for the replies. hope i can save someone else from burning a ton of load calling.

(btw, were in mindanao, so just dropping in aint gonna happen.)

[GeorgeS 0]

I used the (02)982-5555. then press 2-2-1-2-2 in sequence (doesnt matter english or tagalog, coz they speak both anyway) for making appointment or making any inquiries. I usually spent less than 100 pesos using my SUN prepaid. Hope this will help