The American Embassy in Manila has announced it will waive visa interviews for nonimmigrants renewing visas in Manila for certain categories of visa applicants. It differs from the personal interview waivers of other consular posts in the world in that applicants for a visa must not have remained in the United States for more than one year.  We have contacted the American Embassy in Manila for clarification and to request that the six month prior stay limitation be lifted for all but renewals of B-1 and B-2 visas.  We will update this site when further information is received.

The posted requirements for the interview waiver program, called the Visa Reissuance Program (VRP) are as follows:

1. You must be a Philippine citizen.
2. You must have been previously issued a full validity visa in Manila.
3. My visa is still valid... or it has expired within the last twelve months.
4. You must have in your  possession all  passports covering the entire period of the full-validity sought to be renewed.
5. You must not have been refused a US visa within the past twelve months.
6. The visa must not be annotated "clearance received".
7. You must never have remained  in the U.S. longer than 6 months (even if the Department of Homeland Security approved the extension of stay).
8. You must never have been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even if subject of a pardon.
9. You must provide the visa control number from my visa (located in the upper right hand corner of the visa).

If you are able to meet all of the above conditions, you are eligible for a VRP appointment. Please go online or contact the call center to schedule the VRP appointment. 

Note that the consular officials reserve the right to require an interview, even if the above requirements are met.  In addition, applicants must go to the Embassy to have the ten-prints taken.  

This represent a significant advance in constituent service and we support the policy.  However, the six month stay limitation should be removed so that students and workers may use the system.