The Department of State is performing a phased resumption of visa services
The Department of State is performing a phased resumption of visa services
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On April 1, the US Department of State posted “Presidential Proclamation 10052, which temporarily suspended the entry of certain H-1B, H-2B, J (for certain categories within the Exchange Visitor Program), and L nonimmigrants, expired on March 31, 2021”.
This means that visa applicants who have not yet been interviewed or scheduled for an interview will have their applications prioritized and processed following the existing phased resumption of visa services guidance.
Besides, visa applicants who had been previously refused visas because of the restrictions of Presidential Proclamation 10052 will be able to reapply by submitting a new application and a new fee.
When will routine visa services resume entirely?
The resumption of all of the routine visa services is occurring on a post-by-post basis. They are prioritizing services to US citizens, and as post-specific conditions improve, the missions will begin to provide additional services.
The phased resumption is consistent with the Department’s guidance for safely returning their workforce to Department facilities. Since March 2020, US Embassies and Consulates have continued to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services. They will continue to do so as they are able.
Check with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate for updates on the services they are currently offering, as the conditions are unique in each location.
Phased resumption of routine visa services updates
On February 24, 2021, the Department of State (DOS) released the latest update on the phased resumption of routine visa services. They informed that they are working diligently to restore all routine visa operations as quickly as possible while maintaining safety measures.
In the meantime, DOS extended the validity of machine-readable visa, MRV, fees until September 30, 2022. This will allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment due to the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule or attend a visa appointment with the fee they already paid.
Delays with USCIS lockboxes
As we told you earlier this year, USCIS, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, has had to take extraordinary measures to maintain their services and to continue operating to accept applications and allow people to continue their immigration journey.
The worldwide situation with Covid-19 has created delays in issuing receipt notices for some applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility. They are located in Chicago, Phoenix, Lewisville, and Dallas.
However, to solve the situation, USCIS said that the lockbox workforce is working extra hours to catch up with the work and minimize the delays. The new applications that they are receiving are being processed as soon as they are opened.
If you need help with your immigration process or legal status, please contact an immigration lawyer in San Diego, California, today. Kannan Law is ready to guide you.