President Rodrigo Duterte announced last Friday, April 24, that the Enhanced Community Quarantine will be extended until May 15 throughout the National Capital Region, and particular areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In light of this, the US Embassy in Manila has decided to cancel all visa interviews that were previously scheduled until May 31.
The consular office wrote in a Facebook post on April 25, "The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines is canceling all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interviews scheduled through May 31 due to the extension of the Philippine’s enhanced community quarantine measures to reduce the spread of #COVID19."
The embassy also clarifies that it will "resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time." The consulate would like to abide by the strict lockdown rules in Manila to prevent any form of outbreak.
But those with scheduled yet cancelled appointments need not worry. The U.S. Embassy encourages "all affected applicants should reschedule their visa interviews through the Embassy call center by phone at +63 (2) 7792-8988 and +63 (2) 8548-8223, or through the online appointment system at ustraveldocs.com/ph."
The consulate also assures that "there is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid."
