Local Guides · Updated May 2026
Manila Immigrant Visa Interview Trip: SLEC, VAC Biometrics, and Embassy Day
The Manila process has three separate appointments. The SLEC medical exam must be scheduled at least two weeks before the Embassy interview. The VAC biometrics step in Paranaque is new as of October 2024 and is required before the Embassy interview. Missing any required original document at the interview means a rescheduled appointment that may be months away.
Summary
Three appointments in sequence: SLEC medical exam at 1177 J. Bocobo St. in Ermita (schedule 2 weeks before the Embassy interview), VAC biometrics at Parqal Building 8 in Paranaque (schedule at usvisascheduling.com, at least 1 day before), and the Embassy immigrant visa interview at 1201 Roxas Blvd, Ermita. Since May 2025, arriving without any required original document means you will not be interviewed and must reschedule. Stay in Ermita. The VAC is the one appointment that requires transportation south to Paranaque.
At a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| SLEC medical exam | 1177 J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila. Schedule at least 2 weeks before the Embassy interview. Plan 1 to 2 days (exam Day 1, vaccinations and results Day 2). Results are valid for 6 months. |
| VAC biometrics appointment | Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City. Required since October 1, 2024 for all immigrant visa applicants. Schedule at usvisascheduling.com at least 1 day before your Embassy interview. |
| Embassy interview | 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila. Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Arrive 30 to 60 minutes early. Bring all original civil documents. |
| Document policy (May 2025) | Since May 19, 2025, applicants who arrive without ALL required original documents will not be interviewed and must reschedule. Next available slot may be months away. |
| Recommended hotel area | Ermita, Manila. Walking distance to SLEC (0.8 km from Embassy) and the Embassy. Budget separate transportation to the VAC in Paranaque (about 11 km south, 30 to 45 minutes by Grab or taxi). |
| Post-approval passport return | 5 to 7 business days via DHL courier. Do not book flights until you have your passport back. The sealed immigrant visa package is surrendered to U.S. Customs at the port of entry. |
The Three-Step Manila Process
These appointments happen in order. You cannot attend the Embassy interview before completing the VAC biometrics. You cannot do any of them without completing the SLEC medical exam first. Plan your trip around all three dates.
Step 1: SLEC Medical Exam
- Location
- 1177 J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila
- Timing
- Schedule at least 2 weeks before the Embassy interview
The SLEC medical exam typically takes 2 days. Day 1 covers the physical exam, chest X-ray, and lab work. Day 2 covers vaccinations and results pickup. The exam results are valid for 6 months. SLEC sends a sealed medical envelope that you bring to the Embassy interview. Do not open it under any circumstances.
Step 2: VAC Biometrics Appointment
- Location
- Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City
- Timing
- Schedule at usvisascheduling.com, at least 1 day before the Embassy interview
Required for all immigrant visa applicants since October 1, 2024. The VAC collects digital fingerprints and a photograph. You can also claim passports, submit interview waivers, or submit 221(g) documents at the VAC. Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Saturday 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Step 3: Embassy Immigrant Visa Interview
- Location
- 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila
- Timing
- Arrive 30 to 60 minutes before your scheduled appointment
Airport-type security screening at the entrance. No phones or electronics inside. The consular officer reviews your documents and conducts the interview. If approved, the Embassy keeps your passport to affix the immigrant visa. Your passport is returned via DHL courier in 5 to 7 business days.
Embassy Interview Day
Document policy update (May 2025)
Since May 19, 2025, applicants who arrive without ALL required original documents will not be interviewed. The appointment is cancelled and you must reschedule. Next available slots may be months away. Verify your full document list before you travel.
The U.S. Embassy in Manila is at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita. Embassy hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM; closed weekends. The phone number is +63 2 5301 2000.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Community tip: 60 minutes is safer. Airport-type security screening is at the entrance. Do not bring phones or electronics. If approved, the Embassy keeps your passport to print and affix the immigrant visa. The passport is returned via authorized DHL courier service in 5 to 7 business days.
Required documents for the Embassy interview
- ✓Passport valid for at least 60 days beyond your intended U.S. travel date
- ✓All original civil documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record), Advisory of Marriages if applicable
- ✓NBI Clearance (National Bureau of Investigation clearance, required for applicants 16 and older)
- ✓Foreign police certificates for any country where you lived or worked for 12 or more months
- ✓DS-260 confirmation page
- ✓NVC appointment letter
- ✓SLEC medical exam envelope (sealed, do not open)
- ✓Passport photos if required
Where to Stay in Manila
Stay in Ermita. Both the SLEC clinic and the Embassy are in Ermita and are about 0.8 km apart on foot. The VAC in Paranaque is the one appointment that requires a Grab or taxi ride south, roughly 30 to 45 minutes each way depending on traffic. Allow an hour.
City Garden Suites Manila
Walking distance to Embassy1158 A. Mabini St., Ermita, Manila
4.1/5 stars (1,321 Google reviews). 24-hour front desk. Early breakfast available on request, which matters for early-morning SLEC and Embassy appointments. Google reviewer Rosalie Ma (December 2025, 4 stars): “I had a good experience staying in this hotel. I booked 3 nights for my appointment at the US Embassy. The room is spacious & clean. Staff are really nice.” Some reviews mention room noise and aging decor. A solid, well-located mid-range option, not a luxury choice, but well-suited for the visa trip purpose.
Getting to the VAC from Ermita
The VAC is at Parqal Building 8, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City, near the SM Mall of Asia area. From Ermita, take a Grab or taxi heading south. Allow 30 to 45 minutes in normal traffic and up to an hour during peak hours. Book your Grab in advance if your VAC appointment is early morning.
What Applicants Report
Patterns from Google reviews, VisaJourney forum posts, and U.S. Embassy Manila applicant reports. Use as context, not as instructions.
Tips from the community
Schedule both VAC and Embassy appointments before leaving home
Both appointments are made at usvisascheduling.com and neither accepts walk-ins. The VAC appointment and the Embassy interview are separate bookings on separate days. Lock them in before you travel so you know your full trip timeline.
Source: U.S. Embassy Manila scheduling guidance, May 2025
Budget separate travel time for the Paranaque VAC
The SLEC and Embassy are both in Ermita and are walkable from each other. The VAC in Paranaque is about 11 km south, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by Grab or taxi depending on traffic. Allow an hour for safety. Staying in Ermita is still the right base; just plan transportation on your VAC day.
Source: U.S. Embassy Manila, Reeves Immigration (September 2024)
Bring every required original document, no exceptions
Since May 19, 2025, arriving at the Embassy interview without any required original document results in a cancelled appointment. The next available interview slot may be months away. Go through the document checklist the night before and again the morning of your interview.
Source: U.S. Embassy Manila updated policy, May 2025
Keep the SLEC medical envelope sealed until the interview
The consular officer checks that the SLEC envelope is still sealed at the interview. Opening it before the appointment may invalidate the medical exam, requiring you to redo the exam and reschedule. Hand it over sealed.
Source: U.S. Embassy Manila FAQ; SLEC applicant instructions
In their own words
“I booked 3 nights for my appointment at the US Embassy. The room is spacious & clean. Staff are really nice. Internet connection not that bad. Breakfast is good too.”
“The hotel is super convenient for Embassy appointments. Walking distance from the consulate area. Just make sure you sort out your Grab in advance for the Paranaque biometrics appointment.”
Sources
- U.S. Embassy Manila immigrant visa supplement (January 2026)
- U.S. Embassy Manila: Important Visa Information
- U.S. Embassy Manila: FAQ Immigrant Visa Application Requirements
- Reeves Immigration: New U.S. Visa Application Center opens in Metro Manila (September 2024)
- Google Reviews: City Garden Suites Manila, December 2025 to March 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the VAC appointment and the Embassy interview appointment?
They are two separate steps on separate days. The VAC (Visa Application Center) in Paranaque collects your biometric data: fingerprints and a photograph. The Embassy interview in Ermita is where a consular officer reviews your documents and makes the visa decision. You must complete the VAC at least one day before your Embassy interview. Both are scheduled at usvisascheduling.com.
Can I do the SLEC medical exam and the VAC biometrics on the same day?
You can schedule them on the same day, but it is not practical. The SLEC exam alone takes most of a day. The SLEC is in Ermita while the VAC is in Paranaque, roughly 30 to 45 minutes apart by Grab. Most applicants schedule the SLEC exam first (allowing 2 days for exam and results), then do the VAC on a separate day before the Embassy interview.
What happens if I arrive at the Embassy interview without a required document?
Since May 19, 2025, the Embassy will not conduct your interview if any required original document is missing. You will need to reschedule, and the next available appointment may be several months away. Check your complete document list the night before and again the morning of your interview. Do not assume a photocopy will substitute for an original.
How many days should I plan for the Manila immigrant visa trip?
Budget at least 5 to 7 days: the SLEC exam takes 2 days, the VAC biometrics is a third appointment, and the Embassy interview is a fourth. If your interview is approved, your passport is returned via DHL in 5 to 7 business days. Do not book your flight to the U.S. until you have your passport back. Many applicants return home to the Philippines during the passport return window rather than waiting in Manila.
Do I need an NBI Clearance for the Manila immigrant visa interview?
Yes. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance is required for all immigrant visa applicants who are 16 or older. It must be an original, not a photocopy. Apply for the NBI clearance well in advance since processing can take time, especially if your name appears in the database and requires additional verification.
I was approved at my interview. When will I get my passport back?
After approval, the Embassy keeps your passport to print and affix the immigrant visa. The passport is returned via DHL authorized courier service, typically within 5 to 7 business days. You will also receive a sealed immigrant visa package. Do not open that package; present it sealed to U.S. Customs at your port of entry. Do not purchase your flight to the U.S. until you have your passport back.
Where is the best area to stay in Manila for a U.S. Embassy visa appointment?
Stay in Ermita. Both the SLEC medical clinic and the Embassy are in Ermita and are within walking distance of each other (about 0.8 km apart). The VAC in Paranaque is the one appointment that requires transportation, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by Grab. City Garden Suites on A. Mabini St. in Ermita is well-reviewed by visa applicants (4.1/5, 1,321 reviews) and offers early breakfast on request, which is useful for early-morning appointments.
Key Takeaways
- ✓
Three separate appointments in sequence: SLEC medical exam (Ermita, 2 days, at least 2 weeks before the interview), VAC biometrics (Paranaque, at least 1 day before), and Embassy interview (Ermita, Roxas Blvd).
- ✓
Since May 2025, arriving at the Embassy interview without any required original document means a rescheduled interview with the next slot potentially months away. Bring everything.
- ✓
Stay in Ermita: walking distance to SLEC and the Embassy. Budget separate Grab transportation for the Paranaque VAC.
- ✓
The sealed SLEC medical envelope is submitted at the interview. Do not open it before the appointment.
- ✓
After approval, your passport arrives via DHL courier in 5 to 7 business days. Do not book your U.S. flight until the passport is in hand.
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