Is the US issuing B1 visas right now?

[Kate T 0]

My friend is wanting to visit from New Zealand and doesn't want to overstay in case of another shutdown. He is applying for a B1 visas online and has tried to call the consulate in Auckland, NZ but hasn't been able to talk to anyone. Does anyone know if these visas are being issued right now or where I can find out if the US consulate in Auckland is open?

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

Hardly any B visas are being issued other than urgent cases anywhere. 
however
Auckland has resumed some visa processing and it says tourist visas are included, is he not able to get an appointment online?  It does note a substantial backlog. https://nz.usembassy.gov/important-notice-regarding-visa-and-american-citizen-services/

As of July 20, 2020 the United States Consulate in Auckland, New Zealand resumed certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services, including employment, student, petition-based, and tourist nonimmigrant visas, K fiancé visas, as well as IR-1/2, CR-1/2, IR 3/4, SB-1, and EB-5 immigrant visas. While the Consulate aims to process cases as soon as practicable, there is likely to be increased wait times for completing such services due to substantial backlogs. 

Edited August 5, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[igoyougoduke 1,604]

1 hour ago, Kate T said:

My friend is wanting to visit from New Zealand and doesn't want to overstay in case of another shutdown. He is applying for a B1 visas online and has tried to call the consulate in Auckland, NZ but hasn't been able to talk to anyone. Does anyone know if these visas are being issued right now or where I can find out if the US consulate in Auckland is open?

why would they not use ESTA ?

[Kate T 0]

They wanted to visit family in different states and didn't want to get stuck anywhere in case of another shutdown so wanted to have the extra time.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

Hm

he does realize he’s going to have to explain in an interview why he has more than 3 months to spare to spend in the US, which is going to lead to questions about his ties to home? While we have certainly seen people who are able to use VWP getting B visas, we also (not uncommonly) see them denied, and the B visa denial means they lose VWP privileges as well, and don’t get to visit at all. So your friend should think very carefully about the reasons he wants more than the VWP-allowed time to stay.

Edited August 6, 2020 by SusieQQQ