Key Takeaways:
- The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines will open a new Visa Application Center (VAC) on September 28.
- A new online visa appointment system will be launched on the same date, featuring a secure, user-friendly interface.
- The U.S. Embassy will expand call center services for U.S. citizens, offering support for American Citizen Services (ACS) inquiries.
The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announced it will open a new Visa Application Center (VAC) and launch a redesigned online appointment system on September 28. The embassy will also expand its call center services to provide additional support for U.S. citizens in the Philippines.
New Visa Application Center (VAC)
The new VAC will be located at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City. Visa applicants will now be required to visit this facility to have their photos and fingerprints taken before their visa interviews. This extra step applies to all interview appointments scheduled on or after September 28. The U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard will continue to conduct the interviews, but all biometric data will be collected at the new VAC.
The VAC will operate Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with additional Saturday hours from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. No appointments will be required for applicants dropping off interview waiver applications or picking up passports during regular weekday hours.
Redesigned Visa Appointment System
The embassy will also launch a new visa appointment system, accessible via ustraveldocs.com/ph. The embassy said in a statement the updated system will make it easier to schedule appointments and manage visa applications.
Applicants with existing accounts will be required to log in using their registered email addresses. Their profiles, including payment receipts and scheduled appointments, will automatically transfer to the new system.
Anyone with a scheduled interview before September 28 will not need to visit the VAC and should proceed directly to the U.S. Embassy for their appointment as originally planned.
Expanded Call Center Services for U.S. Citizens
The U.S. Embassy is also expanding its call center services for U.S. citizens in the Philippines. The center will handle general, non-emergency inquiries related to American Citizen Services (ACS), including passport services, citizenship applications, and notarial services. U.S. citizens can contact the embassy through the following hotlines:
- (+632) 7792-8988 (Philippines)
- (+632) 8548-8223 (Philippines)
- (703) 520-2235 (United States)
For more detailed information, the embassy will launch a dedicated ACS website (ustraveldocs.com/ph/en/american-citizens-services) and an email support service at support-acs-philippines@usvisascheduling.com on September 28.
For inquiries not related to passports, citizenship, or notarial services, U.S. citizens should still contact the embassy’s ACS unit directly via email at ACSInfoManila@state.gov.
Stay Updated
To keep up with these changes, visa applicants and U.S. citizens can check the U.S. Embassy’s website (ph.usembassy.gov) as well as its social media accounts on Facebook and X (@USEmbassyPH). The embassy will update these accounts when the new services go live.