Welcome back to the Immigration Lawyer Blog, where we discuss all things immigration. In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick updates you regarding the operational status of U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide. As our readers are aware on March 20, 2020, the Department of State announcement the suspension of routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consular posts worldwide in order to deal with the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic. While U.S. Embassies and Consular posts suspended routine visa services, posts continued to remain open to provide emergency and mission critical visa services. These included the processing of applications for “national interest” waivers.
Since then, U.S. Embassies and Consulates have begun a phased resumption of visa services as local country conditions and resources have allowed.
Want to know more? Stay tuned for more information about this important topic.
Overview
In this video, we discuss the status of immigrant visa processing at U.S. Embassies and Consular posts worldwide. The information provided is based on what our office is currently experiencing, official government sources, and information we have received from other attorneys and members of our private Facebook group.
We are now ending fiscal year 2020 and are approaching the start of a new fiscal year that begins on October 2020. The Department of State predicts an overflow of immigrant visas. More than 100,000 additional employment-based visas will become available in the new fiscal year, while nearly 300,000 additional family-based visas will become available in the new fiscal year.
What is responsible for this overflow in visas?
This overflow in visas is the result of a combination of various factors. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the numerous Presidential Proclamations that followed, many immigrant visas were not allowed to be issued. This has left many visas up for grabs in the new fiscal year.
What has the Department of State said about resumption of visa services?
The Department of State previously announced that routine visa services at U.S. Embassies and Consular posts would resume after July 15th however things have not gone as planned. The majority of U.S. Embassies and Consular posts did not resume routine visa services to the public on or after this date.
As months passed, some U.S. Embassies and Consular posts reopened interview scheduling on a limited basis. These actions signal that there is some movement in the scheduling of visa interview appointments, however the situation remains fluid. At any time, even the U.S. Embassies and Consular posts that have reopened their calendars for interview scheduling, can cancel these scheduled interviews based on their continued observance of local health conditions.
Which U.S. Embassies and Consular posts have resumed immigrant visa interviews?
Based on what we are seeing, the following Embassies/Consular posts have resumed immigrant visa interviews:
DISCLAIMER: Please keep in mind the situation continues to remain fluid and Embassy/Consular posts may choose to cancel scheduled interviews at any time based on country conditions.
- U.S. Embassy in Kenya – open for immigrant visa interviews as of September 2020
- U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, India – open for biometrics, was open for immigrant visa interviews, but it appears the Consulate has stopped scheduling interviews until further notice. Please continue monitoring the calendar
- U.S. Consulate Frankfurt, Germany – was open for immigrant visa interviews, but it appears the Consulate has stopped scheduling interviews until further notice. Please continue monitoring the calendar
- U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Japan- open for immigrant visa interviews as of mid-August 2020
- U.S. Embassy Seoul, Korea – open for immigrant visa interviews
- U.S. Consulate Guangzhou, China – only post in China open for immigrant visa interviews
- U.S. Consulate Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – open for immigrant visa interviews
- U.S. Embassy Pakistan – not open for immigrant visa interviews, but emergency interview requests are still being considered
- U.S. Embassy Paris, France – open for immigrant visa interviews
- U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria – open for immigrant visa interviews as of September
- U.S. Embassy Brussels, Belgium – open for immigrant and non-immigrant visa interviews as of August
Emergency Appointments
Even if your Embassy or Consular post has not resumed routine visa services and interview scheduling, you may request an emergency expedited appointment if your U.S. Citizen spouse or relative is experiencing extreme hardships in your absence, or where there is a medical or other type of emergency. Applicants are encouraged to contact their local Consular post for instructions on how to apply for an emergency appointment.
Our office has been successful in obtaining emergency appointments based on extreme hardship as well as the “national interest” exception for those subject to a Presidential Proclamation. If you would like to know whether you qualify for an emergency appointment or national interest exception, please call us to schedule a consultation.
Questions? If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text or call 619-569-1768.
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