Will you accept walk ins?

No. As a policy, all consular applicants are required to have a confirmed appointment prior to coming to the Consulate.

Will there be considerations for ballot drop offs as another option aside from mailing them to the Consulate?

Yes, a ballot receptacle box will be provided at the Philippine Center for voters who wish to personally drop off their sealed accomplished ballots.

Will there be a courtesy lane for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and others with special circumstances?

As a policy the Philippine Consulate General in New York requires all consular applicants to have a booked appointment prior to coming to the Consulate. The Consulate may give exception to meritorious cases, such as those with valid and immediate urgency to their requests. To make a request in case you are unable to book an appointment, you can send an email so we can review the merits of your particular situation to: newyorkpcg.notarials@dfa.gov.ph for Notarization, newyorkpcg.dual@dfa.gov.ph for Dual Citizenship, newyorkpcg.passport@dfa.gov.ph for Passport applications. All requests are subject to evaluation and approval is not guaranteed.

Will the Consulate be open on the weekend of May 7-8?

Yes, the Consulate is open 24 /7 for the entire voting period (including weekends and holidays) from 09 April 2022 to 08 May 2022 for registered voters who wish to personally drop off their ballots at the Consulate. The Consulate will be open on 09 May 2022, the last day for the casting of ballots until 7:00 a.m. Ballots received after 7:00am will no longer be counted.

Will my foreign spouse, who will travel with me to the Philippines, be required to secure additional travel documents from the Philippine Consulate before leaving?

The answer would depend on the intended period of stay in the Philippines and if the spouse is a visa-required national under the Philippine visa regulation. Foreign spouse (as well as children) included in the visa waiver category may avail of the Balikbayan-Program for stays of up to one (1) year. Otherwise, they would need to apply for an appropriate visa.

PH Consulate General and NYC SBS Explore Collaboration to Support Filipino Small Businesses

(Left) Officials from the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) pose for a group photo following a productive meeting on strengthening support for Filipino-American small businesses. (Right) Consul General Senen T. Mangalile (leftmost) and SBS Commissioner Dynishal Gross (middle) engage in discussions on enhancing support for Filipino-American entrepreneurs in New York City. (Photos by VC Cathe Aguilar)

NEW YORK, 11 March 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York met with New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Dynishal Gross to discuss ongoing partnerships and future collaboration in support of Filipino-American entrepreneurs in New York City. The meeting focused on strengthening business development programs, expanding outreach efforts, and ensuring that Filipino small businesses can access SBS programs and services.

Commissioner Gross welcomed the Consulate’s engagement in supporting Filipino entrepreneurs and emphasized the importance of providing small businesses with the necessary resources to grow. Discussions revisited past collaborations, including the Consulate’s participation in the Asian American Small Business Task Force (AATF) and SBS’s engagement in the 10th Filipino Community General Assembly, where Filipino business owners were introduced to city programs.

The meeting also highlighted the diverse landscape of Filipino-owned businesses in New York City, particularly in Woodside, Queens, where many operate in food, retail, beauty and wellness, professional services, and creative industries. The Consulate underscored the contributions of Filipino businesses to the local economy and the importance of access to resources, training, and financial assistance for their continued growth.

SBS presented key programs available to Filipino entrepreneurs, including Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification, which provides access to city contracting and funding opportunities. SBS also introduced its Business Solutions Centers and Mobile Assistance Units (“Mobie”), which offer direct advisory and support services to small businesses. Both sides discussed SBS participation in Filipino community events to raise awareness of these resources.

The Consulate and SBS explored ways to expand business development initiatives and capacity-building efforts, particularly in navigating city regulations, securing financing, and accessing market opportunities. The Consulate also proposed linking Filipino small businesses with international opportunities.

As part of ongoing efforts to engage the Filipino business community, SBS invited the Consulate to support the NYC Small Business Month Expo on 29 May 2025 at Center415, 415 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016. The event will focus on business compliance, financial structuring, and entrepreneurship training, providing business owners with practical insights, networking opportunities, and access to SBS programs.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Consulate and SBS in promoting economic opportunities for Filipino entrepreneurs. Both sides committed to ongoing engagement through workshops, networking sessions, and participation in Filipino community events to ensure that Filipino businesses can fully utilize available resources and thrive in New York City. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New York, USA