State Department suspending visa services at all embassies and consulates

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The State Department is suspending routine visa services at all embassies and consulates worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“In response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State is temporarily suspending routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates,” the department said in an advisory posted on Friday. “Embassies and consulates will cancel all routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments as of March 20, 2020."

The move comes following the State Department’s issuance of a global Level 4 Travel Advisory urging Americans not to travel abroad.

The department also announced Thursday that it was suspending regular passport services and only offering services for those with “life-or-death” emergencies.

“As resources allow, embassies and consulates will continue to provide urgent and emergency visa services. Our overseas missions will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time," the department said in the advisory on Friday.

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Moved to Coronavirus forum where similar issues are discussed 

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Link to source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-routine-visa-services.html

 

Quote

• In response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State is temporarily suspending routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Embassies and consulates will cancel all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments as of March 20, 2020. As resources allow, embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services. Our overseas missions will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. 

• Services to U.S. citizens continue to be available. More information is available on each Embassy’s website.

• This does not affect the Visa Waiver Program. See https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?focusedTopic=Schengen%20Travel%20Proclamation for more information.
   
• 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 immediately should follow the guidance provided at the Embassy’s website to request an emergency appointment. 

 

Edited March 20, 2020 by dothehustle