Maybe Some Good News

[Commish10 427]

Routine visa services remain suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines continues to operate with reduced staffing.

As conditions surrounding the COVID-19 situation improve, the Embassy will add additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services.  The Embassy cannot predict when the resumption of full visa services, or a specific category of visa classes, will occur.

Immigrant Visa (IV): The Embassy continues to have a significant backlog of all categories of immigrant visas.  We are using a tiered approach to triage immigrant visa applications, based on the category of immigrant visa, as we resume and expand processing.  While we are scheduling limited appointments within all four priority tiers every month, the following lists the main categories of immigrant visas in priority order:

• Tier One: Immediate relative intercountry adoption visas, age-out cases (cases where the applicant will soon no longer qualify due to their age), and certain Special Immigrant Visas (SQ and SI for Afghan and Iraqi nationals working with the U.S. government).
• Tier Two: Immediate relative visas; fiancé(e) visas; and returning resident visas.
• Tier Three: Family preference immigrant visas and SE Special Immigrant Visas for certain employees of the U.S. government abroad.
• Tier Four: All other immigrant visas, including employment preference and diversity visas.

Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV):   The Embassy continues to prioritize travelers with travel needs, foreign diplomats, and certain mission-critical categories of travelers, such as those coming to assist with the U.S. response to the pandemic, followed by students and exchange visitors (F-1, M-1, and J-1) and temporary employment visas (H-1B, H-2B, and L nonimmigrants).  Visa appointments and processing for B1/B2 (Business/Tourist) remain suspended, with the exception of interview waiver renewals.

We understand that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment.  The Embassy will extend the validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2022, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee.

• NIV Expedite Appointment Requests: Expedite requests for emergency travel may be submitted via our website at http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visaapply.asp.  Please note that the applicant will need to book a regular appointment through our appointment system before requesting an expedited appointment through http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-expeditedappointment.asp.

• NIV Interview Waiver: The interview waiver program has been extended. Information is available at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-updates/.

Visa Scheduling:  After we resume visa processing, which will be confirmed on our website at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-updates, applicants can reschedule the first available visa interview appointment slot by phone at (+632) 7792-8988 or (+632) 8548-8223, or through our online appointment system at http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/ph/.  There is no fee to change an appointment.  After routine visa processing resumes, if you have difficulties rescheduling a pending consular appointment, applicants may send an email to supportphilippines@ustraveldocs.com for specific guidance.

Contact Us: 

• Scheduling, case status, passport delivery, and other questions can be directed to support-philippines@ustraveldocs.com.
• Case-Specific Inquiry on an Immigrant Visa: https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/
• Case-Specific Inquiry on a Nonimmigrant Visa: https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/nonimmigrant-visa-inquiry-form/
• For Seafarer concerns: MNLNIVSEA@state.gov

[flicks1998 1,044]

It would be interesting to compare that to what they published around 2 months ago.  I believe in late April or early May someone here posted that communication.  It appears to be the same. 

[jameyj 73]

40 minutes ago, Commish10 said:

Routine visa services remain suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. ............................

 

Maybe its just me but I don't read anything good here. More of the same stuff being spewed out of USEM as always..

[Commish10 427]

1 minute ago, flicks1998 said:

It would be interesting to compare that to what they published around 2 months ago.  I believe in late April or early May someone here posted that communication.  It appears to be the same. 

This is new. They has been saying that they will resume operations when they are able to. 

[Commish10 427]

2 minutes ago, jameyj said:

 

Maybe its just me but I don't read anything good here. More of the same stuff being spewed out of USEM as always..

This has been the previous message for over a year:

 

he U.S. Embassy in the Philippines has canceled nonimmigrant B1/B2 (Business/Tourist) visa interview appointments scheduled through July 30, 2021 in response to the continued significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   In July 2020, U.S. Embassies and Consulates began a phased resumption of routine visa services.

The resumption of routine visa services is on a post-by-post basis, in coordination with the Department’s framework for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities.  U.S. Embassies and Consulates have continued to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services since March and will continue to do so as they are able.  As post-specific conditions improve, our missions have begun providing additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services.

Once routine visa services resume, applicants should reschedule their visa interviews through the Embassy call center by phone at (+632) 7792-8988 and (+632) 8548-8223, or through the online appointment system at 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, 2022 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.

For questions and case-specific inquiries, you may contact the Embassy’s Consular Communications Group (for Nonimmigrant Visas) at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/nonimmigrant-visa-inquiry-form/.

[flicks1998 1,044]

Just now, Commish10 said:

This is new. They has been saying that they will resume operations when they are able to. 

Yes its a new bulletin, but the information in the bulletin appears to be the same as before.

[John & Rose 7,239]

2 hours ago, flicks1998 said:

It would be interesting to compare that to what they published around 2 months ago.  I believe in late April or early May someone here posted that communication.  It appears to be the same. 

Yep.  This is a few months old.

[John & Rose 7,239]

3 hours ago, Commish10 said:

Routine visa services remain suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines continues to operate with reduced staffing.

As conditions surrounding the COVID-19 situation improve, the Embassy will add additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services.  The Embassy cannot predict when the resumption of full visa services, or a specific category of visa classes, will occur.

Immigrant Visa (IV): The Embassy continues to have a significant backlog of all categories of immigrant visas.  We are using a tiered approach to triage immigrant visa applications, based on the category of immigrant visa, as we resume and expand processing.  While we are scheduling limited appointments within all four priority tiers every month, the following lists the main categories of immigrant visas in priority order:

• Tier One: Immediate relative intercountry adoption visas, age-out cases (cases where the applicant will soon no longer qualify due to their age), and certain Special Immigrant Visas (SQ and SI for Afghan and Iraqi nationals working with the U.S. government).
• Tier Two: Immediate relative visas; fiancé(e) visas; and returning resident visas.
• Tier Three: Family preference immigrant visas and SE Special Immigrant Visas for certain employees of the U.S. government abroad.
• Tier Four: All other immigrant visas, including employment preference and diversity visas.

Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV):   The Embassy continues to prioritize travelers with travel needs, foreign diplomats, and certain mission-critical categories of travelers, such as those coming to assist with the U.S. response to the pandemic, followed by students and exchange visitors (F-1, M-1, and J-1) and temporary employment visas (H-1B, H-2B, and L nonimmigrants).  Visa appointments and processing for B1/B2 (Business/Tourist) remain suspended, with the exception of interview waiver renewals.

We understand that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment.  The Embassy will extend the validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2022, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee.

• NIV Expedite Appointment Requests: Expedite requests for emergency travel may be submitted via our website at http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visaapply.asp.  Please note that the applicant will need to book a regular appointment through our appointment system before requesting an expedited appointment through http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-expeditedappointment.asp.

• NIV Interview Waiver: The interview waiver program has been extended. Information is available at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-updates/.

Visa Scheduling:  After we resume visa processing, which will be confirmed on our website at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-updates, applicants can reschedule the first available visa interview appointment slot by phone at (+632) 7792-8988 or (+632) 8548-8223, or through our online appointment system at http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/ph/.  There is no fee to change an appointment.  After routine visa processing resumes, if you have difficulties rescheduling a pending consular appointment, applicants may send an email to supportphilippines@ustraveldocs.com for specific guidance.

Contact Us: 

• Scheduling, case status, passport delivery, and other questions can be directed to support-philippines@ustraveldocs.com.
• Case-Specific Inquiry on an Immigrant Visa: https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/
• Case-Specific Inquiry on a Nonimmigrant Visa: https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/nonimmigrant-visa-inquiry-form/
• For Seafarer concerns: MNLNIVSEA@state.gov

This is a regurgitation of a release they did a few months ago.  It is identical to the old release but they released it anyway.

[Commish10 427]

Just now, John & Rose said:

Yep.  This is a few months old.

Here is what they had been posting over the past year:

 

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines has canceled nonimmigrant B1/B2 (Business/Tourist) visa interview appointments scheduled through July 30, 2021 in response to the continued significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   In July 2020, U.S. Embassies and Consulates began a phased resumption of routine visa services.

The resumption of routine visa services is on a post-by-post basis, in coordination with the Department’s framework for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities.  U.S. Embassies and Consulates have continued to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services since March and will continue to do so as they are able.  As post-specific conditions improve, our missions have begun providing additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services.

Once routine visa services resume, applicants should reschedule their visa interviews through the Embassy call center by phone at (+632) 7792-8988 and (+632) 8548-8223, or through the online appointment system at 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, 2022 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.

For questions and case-specific inquiries, you may contact the Embassy’s Consular Communications Group (for Nonimmigrant Visas) at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/nonimmigrant-visa-inquiry-form/.

[John & Rose 7,239]

3 minutes ago, Commish10 said:

Here is what they had been posting over the past year:

 

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines has canceled nonimmigrant B1/B2 (Business/Tourist) visa interview appointments scheduled through July 30, 2021 in response to the continued significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   In July 2020, U.S. Embassies and Consulates began a phased resumption of routine visa services.

The resumption of routine visa services is on a post-by-post basis, in coordination with the Department’s framework for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities.  U.S. Embassies and Consulates have continued to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services since March and will continue to do so as they are able.  As post-specific conditions improve, our missions have begun providing additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services.

Once routine visa services resume, applicants should reschedule their visa interviews through the Embassy call center by phone at (+632) 7792-8988 and (+632) 8548-8223, or through the online appointment system at 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, 2022 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.

For questions and case-specific inquiries, you may contact the Embassy’s Consular Communications Group (for Nonimmigrant Visas) at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/nonimmigrant-visa-inquiry-form/.

But 2 months ago they released the exact same thing you put up now.  It is identical in format and wording as their release in late April or early May.

[Bugs 455]

New or not, we are planning on applying for B1 visitors visas for her parents.  Should we do so now, so that we are “in line” when they open up, or wait until they actually open up before applying?

[RO_AH 1,659]

9 minutes ago, Bugs said:

New or not, we are planning on applying for B1 visitors visas for her parents.  Should we do so now, so that we are “in line” when they open up, or wait until they actually open up before applying?

I would say get in line ASAP

[Bugs 455]

11 minutes ago, RO_AH said:

I would say get in line ASAP

Normally I would agree with you, however, the MRV fee expires after one year under normal circumstances, and the embassy remains closed for B visa interviews.  Granted, they extended the expiration to Sept 2022, but I wonder if that is for those already in line.

[top_secret 2,421]

Mostly the same since March

https://web.archive.org/web/20210318002024/https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/

 

Changed allot from February.

https://web.archive.org/web/20210211041123/https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/

[Joe Kano 327]

I don't see anything in the press release that is good news

 

I am thinking it going to be a year away before things start to get back to normal as in routine visa processing, which will have a backlog and also Philippines opening up for tourism

 

I have given up on going back anytime soon to Philippines.  I have started taking trips to Cancun area and so far it has been great

 

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by Joe Kano