Manila Embassy Expediting EB-3 Immigrant Visa Appointments Until April 28, 2015

EB-3 Demand Leading to Retrogression for the Philippines

In response to impending retrogression in the EB-3 Visa Bulletin cut-off dates, the Embassy in Manila has announced that it is currently waiving the longstanding requirement that an immigrant visa interview appointment be made in advance, before appearing for an interview.

Due to a recent increase in demand, the Employment EB-3 Visa Category priority dates will retrogress to July 01, 2007 at the beginning of May, 2015. As a result, thousands of applicants will be forced to have their cases held in abeyance until the priority date processing catches up. As a result, the Embassy has acted admirably in allowing individuals to skip the appointment process, and simply proceed to the Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Check-in Counter to submit their applications in person. The applicant should have all of the required documents and have completed the requisite medical examinations at St. Luke’s Extension Clinic.

Some EB-3 applicants have had the National Visa Center (NVC) already schedule them for May interviews. According to the Embassy, The NVC will soon send out an email notification that the May appointment has been canceled. Such individuals, if documentarily ready, should avail themselves of the walk-in appointments currently available until April 28th.

FAQs About the Manila Embassy Walk-in Appointment Announcement

• What if I’ve already been interviewed and received a 221(g) letter or my case is otherwise pending?

For EB-3 applicants who have been interviewed and need to complete additional documentary requirement(s): the documents should be submitted to the Embassy (Attention: Immigrant Visa Section) as quickly as possible, prior to the end of April.

• What if I cannot schedule the medical evaluation or otherwise complete the requirements by April 28th?

In an applicant is not able to complete the process by April 28, the NVC will contact you when a visa becomes available based on your priority date, and reschedule your appointment. The Embassy will not be able to issue a visa until the priority date becomes current. Note, priority date fluctuation is difficult to predict, and it may take up to several years before the PD becomes current again.

• I would like to avail of the expedited walk-in process. Where do I go?

A documentarily qualified applicant may come to the Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Check-in Counter on any workday between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. from April 15, 2015 through April 28, 2015 for the visa interview.

SEE ALSO: Our Articles about the Employment-based immigration process and Immigrant Visas.

SEE ALSO: Our Article about Family-based Immigration Visas.

SEE ALSO: Our Articles about Waivers of Inadmissibility, and What to do After an Embassy Visa Denial.