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.

VIP Tour 2027: Winter Escapade Edition Launches in New York

NEW YORK CITY, 19 August 2026 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine Department of Tourism-New York (PDOT-NY) formally launched the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour 2027: Winter Escapade Edition at the Philippine Center in New York.

Scheduled to take place from 07 to 21 February 2027, the 2027 edition marks the first time the VIP Tour will be jointly undertaken with the Winter Escapade program, bringing together after several years of separate programming travelers from the United States and Canada .

The tour will begin in Manila, and thereafter participants may choose among five pocket-tour destinations namely Leyte, Legazpi–Naga, Siargao, Camiguin, and Bohol. Participants will then proceed to the final leg of the tour, with a choice between Iloilo–Bacolod and El Nido, Palawan.

In a video message, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez conveyed his support for the 2027 VIP Tour and encouraged the Filipino-American community to take part in the program and experience the Philippines’ diverse destinations, culture, and heritage.

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, in his welcome remarks, described the 2027 VIP Tour as “a journey into the heart and soul of the Philippines from Luzon to Mindanao, an opportunity to celebrate our diverse and dynamic culture, and above all a reconnection to our roots.”

Tourism Attaché Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo presented an update on Philippine tourism, particularly the United States’ position as the Philippines’ leading source market for international visitors in 2026.

Rajah Tours Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III and Director of Sales and Marketing delved into the finer details of the tour, offering insights into the itinerary, rates, and registration process. Philippine Airlines Regional Head for North America Jose Maria “Chema” Alvarado and Mr. Shed Syahid also announced special promotional fares for participants departing from New York.

Ms. Maria Meredith Malasig, a first-time VIP Tour participant, shared her testimonial, adding a personal dimension to the experiences that define the VIP Tour and encouraged the guests to take part in the 2027 edition.

The event launch concluded with a Q&A session, providing attendees the opportunity to pose questions and gain more information about the VIP Tour 2027: Winter Escapade Edition.

The VIP Tour 2027: Winter Escapade Edition is a flagship project jointly organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, and Rajah Tours Philippines, in cooperation with Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the US and Canada, to promote travel to the Philippines among overseas Filipinos and friends of the country.

The VIP Tour’s itinerary and other important details may be accessed on the VIP Tour website at www.viptourphilippines.com. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New York, USA