Which additional visa services is the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines beginning to provide?
The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines is continuing to provide emergency, mission-critical visa services. As Philippine conditions permit, the Embassy will phase in processing some routine nonimmigrant and immigrant visa cases, for example: travelers with urgent travel needs; students (F-1, M-1, and certain J-1); and some spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens consistent with Presidential Proclamation 10014. The volume and type of visa cases we will process will depend on local circumstances. We will resume adjudicating all routine nonimmigrant and immigrant visa cases only when adequate resources are available and it is safe to do so.
What criteria is the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines using to determine when to resume routine services?
We are closely monitoring local conditions in the Philippines. Local conditions that may affect when we can begin providing various public services include medical infrastructure, COVID-19 cases, emergency response capabilities, and movement restrictions.
What about my MRV fee that expired while routine services were suspended?
The Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee is valid and may be used for a visa appointment in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.
What steps are being taken to protect customers and staff from the spread of COVID-19?
The health and safety of our workforce and customers will remain paramount. The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines is implementing safeguards to keep staff and customers safe, including implementing physical distancing in our waiting rooms, scheduling fewer interviews at a time, frequent disinfection of high touch areas, and following local health and safety regulations.
Do the various Presidential Proclamations/travel restrictions still apply, or are those lifting with the resumption of visa services?
The five geographical COVID-19 Proclamations (P.P. 9984, 9992, 9993, 9996, 10041) and the two COVID-19 Labor Market Proclamations suspending the entry of certain aliens (P.P. 10014 and 10052) remain in effect.