US Embassy in Manila closed on Dec. 24 after Biden's order

The US Embassy in Manila will be closed on Christmas Eve, December 24, following a recent executive order from the White House, postponing scheduled visa interviews on Tuesday.

“The U.S. Embassy will be closed on Tuesday, December 24 following President Joseph R. Biden’s announcement on Thursday,” the announcement issued on Monday read.

“All visa interviews and routine American Citizens Services (ACS) appointments at the U.S. Embassy on December 24 are canceled and will be rescheduled,” it added. “The offsite Visa Application Center will remain open on December 24 for applicants who are scheduled for photo and fingerprint collection.”

The embassy advised visa applicants to check their registered emails for the new schedule and rescheduling instructions.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden on December 18 issued an executive order providing that “all executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, the day before Christmas Day.” —Vince Angelo Ferreras/KG, GMA Integrated News