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As it attempts to rebuild and enhance its operations following the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) epidemic in 2019, the US Embassy in the Philippines anticipates processing a record number of visas in 2023.

US Embassy Consul General Mark McGovern stated during a news conference at the embassy that the Consular Affairs Section (CAS) is on track to award up to 330,000 non-immigrant visas for Fiscal Year 2023 (October 2022 to September 2023) as opposed to 188,000 in 2022.

“Last year, we got around 190,000, and we were at two-thirds of our capacity last year,” McGovern added.

He claimed that the anticipated issuance of non-immigrant visas this year will surpass the pre-pandemic peak of 290,000 issued in 2019.

He remarked, “We’re truly making an effort, and we appreciate the Filipino people’s patience.

He claimed that although the CAS’s 200-person capacity has not yet been fully restored, changes in the workflow have increased the number of visas processed by each employee.

“A year ago, getting a non-immigrant visa took almost two years. Now, four to five months have passed. By the end of the year, we want to reduce that to 2 to 3 months,” he said.

He urged people with expired visas to apply for renewals because they can now be extended for up to four more years.

He pointed out that the non-immigrant visa charge has increased for the first time in ten years and that such visas—tourist, student, business, etc.—can be issued for up to ten years. The current fee is USD185.

Salary increases, the introduction of visa foils, and other developments are taking place. He added that the cost rise affects everyone, not just people in the Philippines.

He added the embassy is working “extra hard” to process immigrant visas or green cards in addition to non-immigrant visas.

A few pointers for visa seekers

He provided some advice on how to be approved for a US visa for individuals interested in applying.

He advised candidates to maintain their composure and always be honest during interviews.

He claimed that lying and getting confused are caught by their educated staff and may cast questions on their suitability for use.

Additionally, he advised anyone applying for visas to be wary of con artists or those offering to approve their visas in exchange for payment and to guard against false information by receiving their information from the embassy website.

He claimed that the embassy has a fraud team that looks into con artists.

He said we do everything we can to provide the victims an opportunity to get justice.

He clarified that applicants need no “magic list” or checklist to obtain a visa. He dispelled misconceptions that having a specific amount of money in the bank or reference letters from well-known or influential persons would be helpful.

We don’t rely on people having money in their bank accounts since we know they can withdraw it the next day.

But he said that the embassy does take a person’s employment, prior travel history, and assets, among other things, into consideration when determining whether they can afford to stay in the US.

“Since every case is unique, there is no checklist. But I may say that independent endorsements are meaningless,” he remarked.

He added that the embassy will delay an applicant’s application if they forget a required document until all necessary paperwork is present.

Ninety percent of visa applicants will know whether they have been allowed or not following the visa interview, he said.

He stated that although there is no program for temporary employment in the US, it is still possible if one can find the proper firm.

He added that they would need to be great employees to find an employer who would process their visa and its documentation requirements.

US Embassy Deputy Consul General James Fellows gave Philippine media persons a tour of the CAS before the press conference and explained the non-immigration visa application process.

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