US Embassy continues visa processing

Oct 2, 2013 2:20 PM PHT

Rappler.com

SUMMARY

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Activities of the consular affairs bureau are funded by fees from visa applicants, and won't be affected by US government shutdown caused by the appropriations lapse

NOT AFFECTED BY SHUTDOWN. United States embassies around the world, including in Manila, will continue visa processing despite the temporary government shutdown caused by the budget lapse. File photo by EPA/Rolex Dela Peña

MANILA, Philippines – The US embassy in Manila said Wednesday, October 2, that it will “continue our passport operations” despite the temporary government shutdown in the US.

Embassy spokesman Kurt Hoyer said activities carried out the Bureau of Consular Affairs “are fee-funded,” thus “can continue these operations even given the appropriations lapse.”

“The Department will continue visa issuance overseas,” he said.

The US embassy in Manila is known to receive one of the highest number of visa applications every year.

Unlike before when department operations were funded by a mix of collected fees and appropriated funds, it now relies solely on retained fees.

As for the rest of Department of State and USAID operations, they can “initially…continue on a limited basis for a short period of time,” Hoyer said. – Rappler.com