Why is the U.S. Embassy requiring applicants to be fully prepared before interviewing them?

• Visa applicants need to bring all required documents to their scheduled visa interview. Both the National Visa Center and the U.S. Embassy notify applicants about the required documents prior to an applicant’s scheduled appointment.

Will this procedural change impact the availability of immigrant visas to Filipinos?

• No, this will not affect the number of visas available for Filipinos.  The goal of the new process is to increase the efficiency of visa operations and decrease processing delays due to missing documents.  This will allow the Embassy to spend more time processing cases that are ready and complete.

I do not have all of my documents yet. Can I reschedule now? How long will it take to reschedule my appointment?

• Yes. You should reschedule your appointment if you will not be able to obtain all the required documents before your scheduled interview.  You can check the next available appointment by logging in to your profile at www.usvisascheduling.com/.  The wait time for a new appointment may vary from a few weeks to 1-2 months.

I am currently undergoing additional medical testing at St. Luke’s Medical Extension Clinic (SLEC). Do I need to reschedule my visa interview?

• No.  If you have already attended your medical exam at St. Luke’s Medical Extension Clinic, but your final results are still pending, you may still proceed with your visa interview at the Embassy. St. Luke’s Medical Extension Clinic will directly forward the results of your medical examination to the embassy later.  Note that you must attend your medical examination appointment at St. Luke’s Medical Extension Clinic (SLEC) before your interview. Applicants are advised to schedule a medical exam two weeks before the visa interview.

I underwent sputum testing with St. Luke’s Medical Extension Clinic (SLEC). How do I know if they have forwarded my medical report?

• The required period before the finalized sputum culture results can be released is eight (8) weeks. Once your medical clearance is complete, SLEC will notify you through email. You should monitor the email address you registered with SLEC.  If you were refused under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), you must submit your valid passport and/or other additional required documents to the Embassy upon receiving the email from SLEC.

How do I obtain an interview appointment letter?

• In general, the National Visa Center (NVC) sends the applicant, the petitioner, and the agent/attorney (if applicable) an email noting the appointment date and time. You may present a printed copy of this email at your visa interview. You will also receive a notification email from the Embassy about two weeks before your appointment with important information. Please monitor the email address(es) listed on your Form DS-260.

I used to live in a foreign country. Do I need to present a foreign police certificate?

• Immigrant visa applicants are required to present a police certificate from any country where they were present for one (1) year or more, after the age of 16.  There is no waiver for this requirement. We are unable to issue a visa until all documentary requirements, including foreign police clearances, have been completed.  Instructions on how to obtain the foreign police clearance are available on our website at travel.state.gov under the Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country page.  Foreign police certificates typically expire after two (2) years, unless the certificate was issued from your country of previous residence, and you have not returned there since the police certificate was issued.

Do I need to submit an NBI clearance with an AKA?

• Yes. Your NBI clearance should include your maiden name, birth certificate name and any aliases or nicknames used, including different spellings that may appear on your other documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) even if you have never used those names or spellings in regular life.

Do I need to submit a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) or an Advisory on Marriages from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)?

• This is required for visa categories K1, CR1/IR1, CR2/IR2, F1, F2A, F2B, and derivative children for any visa category, if the visa applicant is 18 or older.  You should request a CENOMAR from the PSA website at psa.gov.ph. If your marriage was recorded with PSA, an Advisory on Marriages will be issued to you.  Please note that the CENOMAR and Advisory on Marriages are only valid for one (1) year from the date it was obtained.

What is an Affidavit of Support? Do I need to bring the original financial document?

• A petitioner of a family-based immigrant visa petition is legally required to file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) as sponsor of the visa applicant. To show sufficient income and financial support, the petitioner should attach his/her most recent IRS tax transcript, wage statements (Form W-2), evidence of U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, or other evidence of current income.   IRS tax transcripts can be requested here: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript  We accept scanned or photocopied financial documents. You must also upload all required and updated financial documents to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), if applicable.  Information regarding this document can be found on the USCIS.gov website under affidavit of support page.

Do I need to present the original proof of termination of previous marriage(s)?

• Yes. If you or your petitioner were previously married, you need to bring the original or certified true copy of divorce or annulment documents, presumptive death court records, or death certificate. If the marriage was celebrated in the Philippines, you must also present a CENOMAR from the PSA indicating the annulment or termination.

What document do I bring for applicants born outside of the Philippines?

• If born outside of the Philippines, you must bring their original birth certificate from their country of birth and its English translation, if applicable. You must also bring the birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) if your birth was registered with the PSA or a Philippine embassy or consulate.

I am the petitioner, are there any civil documents required from me?

• For IR5 and F4 petitions: the petitioner needs to provide their own original birth certificate to verify the parent/child (IR5), or sibling (F4), relationship. For stepchildren, you must present the original marriage certificate of the petitioner and the child’s biological parent, with its English translation if applicable.

NONIMMIGRANT VISAS:

I updated my Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) and a new confirmation number was generated. How do I update my appointment confirmation letter?

• Please contact the Embassy’s Customer Service Center and inform them that you updated your DS-160, and a new barcode was generated.  They will provide you a new appointment confirmation letter.  You may reach the embassy call center by calling (+632) 7792-8988 or (+632) 8548-8223.  The call center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, Manila time, except on U.S. and Philippine holidays.

How do I pay the MRV (visa application) fee?

• Step 1: After submitting the DS-160 visa application form, you must create an account on the online appointment system in order to schedule a visa appointment.
• Step 2: When you choose the payment option, make sure the visa fee amount matches the number of applicants and the visa type. For example, two B1/B2 visa applications will total $370 (The $185 fee multiplied by two applications).
• Step 3: Once you click the submit button, you will see a payment instruction page. You may pay the visa fee with a credit card, online transfer, or “Cash at Bank”. If you select the “Cash at Bank” option, you should bring a printed copy of the payment instruction to any RCBC (Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation) branch to pay the visa fee in cash.
• Step 4: After paying the visa application fee, check the validated receipt and make sure that the reference number and amount paid matches the details in your payment instructions. Applicants who do not pay the correct fee for their visa type may not be able to schedule an interview.
• For any fee payment related issues, please contact the Customer Service Center for assistance. You may reach the service center by calling (02) 7792-8988 or (02) 8548-8223.  The customer service center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Manila time), except on Philippine and U.S. holidays.

IMMIGRANT VISAS:

I did not attend my immigrant visa appointment that was scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC). How can I schedule another appointment?

• You must now schedule two appointments: 1) one at the Visa Application Center (VAC) to take photos and fingerprints; and 2) a second appointment for the visa interview at the embassy.  Please contact the Customer Service Center for help in making these appointments.  English and Filipino-speaking customer service agents are also available at telephone numbers (02) 7792-8988 or (02) 8548-8223.  The call center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Manila time), except on Philippine and U.S. holidays.  Callers in the United States should check the local time in Manila before they call (703) 520-2235.

I received an appointment date from the National Visa Center (NVC).  Do I need to schedule an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) to have my photo and fingerprints taken?

• Yes, please schedule an appointment at the VAC for fingerprints and photos at this website. You must choose the “Appointment scheduled by NVC” category.  Only schedule a VAC appointment – you do not need to make any changes to your Embassy appointment.

• If you do not come to the NVC-scheduled visa appointment at the Embassy, you will have to reschedule for two appointments: one at the VAC for the fingerprints and photos, and another appointment for the visa interview at the Embassy through the online appointment system. Please note that demand for appointments is high, and you may have to wait months or longer before appointments become available.

• You may contact the Customer Service Center for assistance in making this appointment.  English and Filipino-speaking customer service agents are also available via our hotline numbers (02) 7792-8988 or (02) 8548-8223.  The service center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Manila time), except on Philippine and U.S. holidays.  Callers in the United States should check the local time in the Philippines before they call (703) 520-2235.

I want to schedule my VAC and interview appointments, but when I tried to access my account, the webpage says, “Case Number Not Found.”

• Please contact the Customer Service Center for scheduling and appointment concerns. You may reach the service center by calling (02) 7792-8988 or (02) 8548-8223.  The service center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, Manila time, except on U.S. and Philippine holidays.