Interview cancelled (due to corona probably)

[remotercharm 31]

my fiance's interview was tomorrow (march 17th) and he got this today (march 16th): "As of 17^th March 2020, the United States Embassy in London, UK is reducing routine Immigrant and Non-Immigrant visa appointments.  At this time your visa appointment is cancelled. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. "

Edited March 16, 2020 by remotercharm

[Wuozopo 4,285]

@goldhex

 

There you go...it’s happening.  They are notifying some to cancel. 

[Tristesse 17]

That's awful, OP. I hope it can be sorted out asap. 

 

Will we all get the courtesy of a whole day's notice I wonder, or might they tell those of us with dates next week a wee bit earlier? 

 

"Reducing" is very ambiguous...

 

I've seen blanket statements from other locations up on their embassy websites so hopefully they'll do that. 

Edited March 16, 2020 by Tristesse

[goldhex 21]

Firstly, @remotercharm that is absolutely awful news, and for you to find out with less than a days notice is even worse..

 

@Wuozopo guess I have my answer. I'm still going to try attend my medical on Friday so I'll report back on what they say.

[remotercharm 31]

12 minutes ago, Tristesse said:

That's awful, OP. I hope it can be sorted out asap. 

 

Will we all get the courtesy of a whole day's notice I wonder, or might they tell those of us with dates next week a wee bit earlier? 

 

"Reducing" is very ambiguous...

 

I've seen blanket statements from other locations up on their embassy websites so hopefully they'll do that. 

 

Wish there was a bit more notice as we already purchased travel and we won't be able to get the money back.  We also already made booked a trip Mexico in June where we wanted to spend some time before he came to the US, but who knows what's going to happen.  I'm just not planning anything at this point.

Just now, goldhex said:

Firstly, @remotercharm that is absolutely awful news, and for you to find out with less than a days notice is even worse..

 

@Wuozopo guess I have my answer. I'm still going to try attend my medical on Friday so I'll report back on what they say.

Be sure to check your email, junk email, spam or even call to make sure they haven't cancelled.

[goldhex 21]

3 minutes ago, remotercharm said:

Be sure to check your email, junk email, spam or even call to make sure they haven't cancelled.

Yeah I'm gonna call them before I travel down on Thursday if I don't hear anything before.

Edited March 16, 2020 by goldhex

[goldhex 21]

Adding some really useful info that @A&D25612 received by email from the Embassy

 

--------------------------

Thank you for your email. We understand your concern regarding visas and travel in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We hope that this email will help answer your questions. 

 

Can I travel to the United States?/What does the recent travel order mean?

Entry is suspended, per Presidential Proclamation, of non-LPR foreign nationals who were present in the People’s Republic of China, not including the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the 26 countries that comprise the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, excluding overseas territories outside of Europe of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or the Republic of Ireland within 14 days prior to their arrival at the port of entry in the United States.  Please review the Presidential Proclamation for detailed information: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus//

 

The Department of State recommends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website regarding COVID-19 for the most up-to-date information https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. 

 

The latest travel restriction does not apply to American citizens, legal permanent residents, most immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation. The Department of Homeland Security will direct those who have been in the Schengen Area who are exempt from these restrictions, including American citizens, to travel through select airports where the U.S. Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures. Travelers are advised to visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website, www.dhs.gov/news-releases, for further guidance on U.S. travel restrictions.

 

Will the U.S. Embassy in London be closing?/Will my visa interview appointment be cancelled?

 

As of March 17, 2020, the United States Embassy in London is cancelling routine nonimmigrant visa appointments and reducing immigrant visa appointments, and no visa appointments will take place at the Consulate in Belfast. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. 

 

If you have scheduled a visa interview appointment, the Visa Appointment Service will contact you if your appointment is being postponed. The MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment. Please note that visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you wish to apply for a visa through another Embassy or Consulate, you will be required to pay a new MRV fee and complete a new Form DS-160.

 

Please monitor our website at https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/ and the email account you used when registering with the Visa Appointment Service (including any junk or spam folders) for the latest information and any further updates. 

  

What will happen with my visa application that is currently being processed?

If it is not possible for your visa to be issued prior to the Presidential Proclamation taking effect, your passport will be returned to you. 

 

If your application is subject to additional administrative processing, or under review pending a decision on a waiver of ineligibility or for any other reason, that will remain the status of your case until you are advised otherwise. 

 

If information or documentation other than your passport has been requested in connection with a nonimmigrant visa application, you can still send it in. Your case will be reviewed when routine operations resume. However, you should not submit your passport for a nonimmigrant visa case, even if it has been requested from you. 

 

If any information or documentation has been requested for your immigrant or fiancé(e) visa application, you can still send it in. Your case will be reviewed when routine operations resume.

 

Can my U.S. visa be extended?

Nonimmigrant visas cannot be extended. However, the majority of nonimmigrant visas are valid for several years. Please check the visa in your passport to confirm the validity period of the visa in your case. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website at https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/non-immigrant-visa-faqs/ for more information about visa and passport validity. If you were issued with a J, O or P visa and it expires, check our website at https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-reissuance-program/who-is-eligible/ to see if you may qualify to apply for a new visa by courier. All other visa applicants aged 14 to 79 inclusive are required to attend a visa interview appointment when reapplying for a visa.

 

Immigrant visas cannot be extended. However, if you find that you are unable to travel within the validity period of your visa due to circumstances beyond your control, you can request visa reissuance. You should reply to this message after your unused visa has expired, at which time we will send you information about how to submit your passport, visa package (if applicable) and a letter explaining why you were unable to travel and requesting visa reissuance. Please note that you will be required to undergo a new medical examination and pay a new visa fee before the visa can be reissued. 

 

Can I have a refund for a U.S. visa that has already been issued?

As explained at the time of fee payment, visa fees are non-refundable. The application fee is levied to cover the costs of adjudicating and processing an application. Please see above for information about visa validity, provided that your new purpose of travel is consistent with the type of visa you hold.