U.S. Embassy Visa Applicants

Cell Phones, Electronic Items No Longer Allowed in Consular Section

For the safety and security of all applicants and employees, visa applicants are no longer permitted to bring cell phones or other electronic devices into the U.S. Embassy Consular Section. Effective March 1, 2007, applicants who have such devices on their person will be denied entry to the Embassy grounds. 

There will be no storage facility for cell phones and electronic devices at the Embassy; applicants for both non-immigrant and immigrant visas should leave their electronic equipment in a safe location off Embassy grounds during their appointments.  This policy includes both cell phones and electronic items such as PDAs, laptops, and MP3 music players. 

This new policy will also help speed applicant processing to their interview appointments.  Applicants should be aware that if they miss a visa interview appointment; they will have to reschedule through normal procedures.  We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the cooperation of all non-immigrant and immigrant visa applicants.

All other processes and requirements for applying for both non-immigrant and immigrant visas remain the same.  Information on the application processes can be found on the U.S. Embassy’s Web site at http://philippines.usembassy.gov.

VISA POINT SYSTEM

The American Embassy in Manila announces a new advisory thru their website http://philippines.usembassy.gov regarding the VisaPoint™ System - new way for applicants to schedule visa interview appointments online   Please see below on how to use the new system.

For New User of the VISA information services, you are required to pay a non refundable fee to access the appointments online system. 

1.      Navigate to the New User section and click on the “Buy PINs” button.

2.      Provide the requested credit card information.  Click the “Continue” button ONE TIME to complete your transaction.  Note:  Do not click “Continue” more than once, as this action may generate additional charges to your credit card. 

3.      When the transaction is complete, you will see a confirmation page, which includes your PIN number and the amount charged to your credit card.  Print this screen for your records and then click “Continue”.  The system will then return to the “Help” page where you can review instructions. 

Schedule an Appointment

1.  From the My Information screen, click on the “Enter / Edit Applicant Data” button.

2.  Verify the city / post where you wish to apply (it should say Manila)

3.  Select the number of family members who will be applying with you (note:  family members sharing a PIN must reside in the same household).  Up to five immediate family members may be scheduled with one PIN. 

4.      If you know the type of visa you are applying for, you may select from the “visa type” table on the top portion of the page.  Review the visa type information carefully, and if it describes the purpose of your trip, click “Continue”.  If you are unsure of the type of visa you need, move to the Visa Type Assistant Questions by scrolling down on the screen and choosing the statement that best describes the purpose of your trip.   Repeat this process until you see a single statement choice (usually starting with "You may apply for ...").  Review the visa type information carefully, and if it describes the purpose of your trip, click “Continue”.

5.      Complete an Applicant Information Form for each family member who is registered on your PIN account.  All the entries must be in English.  Provide the requested data and click “Next Applicant” until you have completed a form for each family member.  Please ensure that all information entered is correct then click " Continue”. 

6.      Click on the “Create or Change My Interview” button to schedule your interview.  Open appointment dates are highlighted in green.  Use the calendar to find a day that has available interviews for your travel plans. You may change months by clicking the << or >>. Once you have found a day with interviews, select a time slot from the list to the right of the calendar and click “Confirm”.  

7.  Upon successful completion of steps 1-6, the system will generate an Interview Admission ticket.  Print this page and bring it with you on your scheduled interview date.  Be sure to read all the information on the bottom of the page.

You may re-access the site at any time up to two business days prior to your interview date. You may click on the PIN List link in the upper right corner of the page to review your information and cancel/reschedule your appointment, if desired. 

For more information visit their website http://philippines.usembassy.gov, go to consular and visa services and click the non-immigrant visa information.