UK, US embassies temporarily halt select visa processing

MANILA – The British Embassy in Manila on Friday announced the temporary suspension of visitor visa issuance for applicants from the Philippines.

“The UK (United Kingdom) has paused the issuance of visitor visas for applicants in red list countries, including the Philippines. All other visa categories will continue to be processed – for example, applications for work, study and settlement,” it said in an advisory.

The Philippines and 61 other countries and territories are included in the UK government’s red list travel advisory.

Under red list rules, only British, Irish nationals or persons with residence rights in the UK will be allowed to enter the country.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Manila also canceled non-immigrant B1/B2 (business/tourist) visa interview appointments scheduled through Oct. 29, 2021 “in response to the continued significant worldwide challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Affected applicants can reschedule their canceled visa interview once routine visa services resume by contacting the Embassy call center at (+632) 7792-8988 and (+632) 8548-8223, or through its online appointment system.