On March 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) announced that due to the spread of the coronavirus, USDOS is suspending routine visa processing at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide until further notice. The notice further stated as of March 20, 2020, embassies and consulates cancel all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. However, embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services depending on available resources.
USDOS also advised the public that
- Services to U.S. citizens will continue to be available;
- This does not affect the Visa Waiver Program (“ESTA”)
- Although all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments are cancelled, the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee is valid and may be used for a visa appointment in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment
- Applicants with an urgent matter and need to travel must request an emergency appointment
Although necessary and evitable, the closures and suspension of consular operations has a profound and long lasting effect on many nonimmigrant and immigrant families, individuals and businesses. We encourage everyone effected to closely follow this rapidly changing situation.
This alert does not purport to be substitute for advice of counsel on specific matters. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us, we are here to assist!
