US Embassy changes interview Scheduling process starting September 28th

[DELTAFOXTROT 74]

Just saw this from the US Embassy in Manila that all interviews for immigrant and non immigrant interview will have open a new Visa Application Center near the Mall of Asia. Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking interview appointments starting September 28 will be required to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC for photo capture and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard. Scheduling will be done through the new and redesigned online appointment system.

 

U.S. Embassy to Launch New Visa Application Center, Additional Consular Information Services - U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (usembassy.gov)

[WCF 16]

7 hours ago, DELTAFOXTROT said:

Just saw this from the US Embassy in Manila that all interviews for immigrant and non immigrant interview will have open a new Visa Application Center near the Mall of Asia. Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking interview appointments starting September 28 will be required to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC for photo capture and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard. Scheduling will be done through the new and redesigned online appointment system.

 

U.S. Embassy to Launch New Visa Application Center, Additional Consular Information Services - U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (usembassy.gov)

 

It is unclear to me the significance of the September 28th date. For example, if you made your appointment over a month ago and it is scheduled October, 1st, does this apply to you, or is it for people making appointments after September 28th?

Edited September 6, 2024 by WCF

[DELTAFOXTROT 74]

3 hours ago, WCF said:

 

It is unclear to me the significance of the September 28th date. For example, if you made your appointment over a month ago and it is scheduled October, 1st, does this apply to you, or is it for people making appointments after September 28th?

I am reading it that is starts on the 28th, So if you scheduled before the 28th then you are good.

 

I don't understand why they would put such a burden on an applicant, We scheduled my wife mother for a Tourist Visa Interview last week, for the September 25th, we beat the deadline if we would try to schedule after the 28th then she would of had to fly to Manila just for biometric and a picture, and then fly back to home and back to Manila for her interview.

 

I dont' get it, this seems very stupid to me.

[J.M. 252]

4 hours ago, WCF said:

 

It is unclear to me the significance of the September 28th date. For example, if you made your appointment over a month ago and it is scheduled October, 1st, does this apply to you, or is it for people making appointments after September 28th?

Since it doesn't open until 9/28, I would think the new procedure will apply to those that do not yet have an existing interview already scheduled by that date.

 

If you take their statement literally, "Applicants 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," the word "scheduled" should be omitted if it applied to the actual interview date, rather than the date it was scheduled.

 

I guess we will find out in a few weeks!

[Swafford25 20]

According to this article: https://www.boundless.com/blog/u-s-embassy-philippines-open-new-application-center-and-appointment-system/

 

The extra steps are required for appointments scheduled on or after September 28th

[RufusDawes 13]

Hopefully we can schedule the two appointments in the same day, or at worse back to back days.

Otherwise those of us who are coming from Mindanao are SOL and will have an extra plane ticket to book.

In theory this should open up more slots for the actual visa interview, but this is the federal government and common sense usually doesn't prevail. 

[seekingthetruth 1,248]

On 9/7/2024 at 4:20 AM, DELTAFOXTROT said:

I am reading it that is starts on the 28th, So if you scheduled before the 28th then you are good.

 

I don't understand why they would put such a burden on an applicant, We scheduled my wife mother for a Tourist Visa Interview last week, for the September 25th, we beat the deadline if we would try to schedule after the 28th then she would of had to fly to Manila just for biometric and a picture, and then fly back to home and back to Manila for her interview.

 

I dont' get it, this seems very stupid to me.

 

20 hours ago, RufusDawes said:

Hopefully we can schedule the two appointments in the same day, or at worse back to back days.

Otherwise those of us who are coming from Mindanao are SOL and will have an extra plane ticket to book.

In theory this should open up more slots for the actual visa interview, but this is the federal government and common sense usually doesn't prevail. 

 

I agree.  This will be a big hardship and increase costs a lot, for many, with a huge burden on those who have to travel far for the appointments.  Seems highly unlikely that the appointments could be same day or even synchronized in some way.  I'm glad my wife and step-daughter still have a lot years left on their tourist visas.

 

Also, most likely the VAC is outsourced.  This is a cost saving move.  Many countries outsource the biometrics.

[WCF 16]

On 9/9/2024 at 7:54 AM, Swafford25 said:

According to this article: https://www.boundless.com/blog/u-s-embassy-philippines-open-new-application-center-and-appointment-system/

 

The extra steps are required for appointments scheduled on or after September 28th

UGH. This is so confusing and a major problem for those of us that have interviews scheduled!

[Edward and Jaycel 455]

1 hour ago, WCF said:

UGH. This is so confusing and a major problem for those of us that have interviews scheduled!

 

If you already have an interview scheduled, it does not affect you. This is only for those attempting to schedule a new interview on or after 9/28/2024. 

[Spicy Chickenjoy 22]

Thanks for the heads up! Our K-1 case was just approved by USCIS today. There's no chance we'll get through NVC stage and have interview scheduled by Sept 28. Here's hoping the new system is improved!

Edited September 11, 2024 by Spicy Chickenjoy

[Edward and Jaycel 455]

41 minutes ago, Spicy Chickenjoy said:

Thanks for the heads up! Our K-1 case was just approved by USCIS today. There's no chance we'll get through NVC stage and have interview scheduled by Sept 28. Here's hoping the new system is improved!

 

Congrats!!

[thonati 37]

3 hours ago, Spicy Chickenjoy said:

Thanks for the heads up! Our K-1 case was just approved by USCIS today. There's no chance we'll get through NVC stage and have interview scheduled by Sept 28. Here's hoping the new system is improved!

Congrats Spicy.  We filed a few days after you did so we are hoping for an approval soon.  The extra trip from Cebu is not really that big a deal for me.  Sure it is a hassle and a day long trip, hotel room and trip back the next day.  Americans are rich donchakknow?   We can afford the extra $500 USD if we really love our Filipinas.  Right? 

 

I'm kidding of course.  Just another layer of BS for those of us who want to do things legally instead of walking across the Mexico border.

Edited September 11, 2024 by thonati

[Todd H 0]

Hello,

On 12/12/24 I received the letter from NVC that my wife's case was documentarily complete and the NVC sent her visa application to the Embassy in Manila.

 

The last sentence of the letter read, "The Embassy will contact you soon to schedule a visa interview."

 

A month has passed with no word so I sent a message to the MNL Embassy.  They wrote back explaining the new Visa Application Center.  So I assumed I needed to schedule the appointment myself on the new portal

 

I went to the TravelDocs portal and a disclaimer stated:

"If you meet any of the following conditions, do not schedule an immigrant visa interview appointment:"

  *  "You have not received instructions from the Embassy or NVC that you may schedule an interview."

 

I have not directly been instructed that I may schedule an interview.

 

My question for you is, do I go ahead and schedule an appointment or do I have to wait for specific instructions from the MNL Embassy to schedule an appointment on the USTravledocs portal?

 

I have been waiting over two years to get my family back together, and I don't like the mystery of wondering if the Embassy will contact me or if I should go ahead and schedule it myself on the portal.

 

Thank you for helping me.

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by Todd H