On August 10, , U. Senator Alex Padilla D-Calif. State Department Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Edward Ramotowski, to discuss growing concerns regarding limited visa appointment availability and processing delays affecting international students and scholars planning to arrive on U.
NAFSA members can read a meeting summary. The dates for each embassy or consulate will depend on local conditions. We are unable to provide details for each location.
Please monitor the embassy or consulate website for updates. The embassy links get you to the right embassy website, but you will have to do some clicking to find relevant COVID information, as each embassy website is structured a bit differently. The DOS resumption of routine visa services message , transcribed below, was originally posted on July 14, and was last updated on April 6, with messaging focusing on the challenges of reopening that have reduced appointment capacity and created a "significant backlog of both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications awaiting a visa interview.
The first FAQ states that, "after meeting demand for services to U. In an August 30, update to its Immigrant Visa Prioritization page , the Department of State said that it continues the following prioritization within immigrant visa IV processing:.
While our consular sections, where possible, are scheduling some appointments within all four priority tiers every month, the following lists the main categories of immigrant visas in priority order:. Many embassies and consulates continue to have a significant backlog of all categories of immigrant visas. However, the prioritization plan also instructs posts to schedule and adjudicate some cases in Tier Three and Tier Four each month. The Department recognizes that visa applicants, particularly those in Tiers Three and Four, will face continued delays.
We further acknowledge that certain programs, including the diversity visa program, operate on a fiscal year basis as required by law. The Department values the diversity visa program and is making every effort to process as many diversity visa cases as possible, consistent with other priorities, despite the severe operational constraints and backlog resulting from the COVID pandemic.
However, as a result of COVID the number of visas issued in lower-priority preference categories or in such programs as the diversity visa program likely will not approach the statutory ceiling in Fiscal Year The Department recently clarified guidance on emergency cases.
Healthcare professionals who will work at a facility engaged in pandemic response and have an approved U. Applicants should be prepared to show that they will be employed in the healthcare industry at a U. Resource constraints and local government restrictions may limit the ability of some U. A September 14, announcement states that the Department of State "has authorized consular officers through the end of to expand the categories of F, M, and "academic J visa applicants" students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists whose applications can be adjudicated without an in-person interview in their consular district of residence, with certain exceptions.
Consular officers may, if they so choose, and pursuant to local conditions, now waive the visa interview requirement for:". Details about country eligibility and necessary procedures will be available on the website of the relevant embassy or consulate The Department of State previously had temporarily expanded visa interview waiver eligibility under 22 CFR b 3.
That provision allows consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying to renew a visa in the same visa classification and category if not more than 12 months have passed since the prior visa expired.
Until December 31, , the temporary expansion allows such waivers if the prior visa has not expired more than 48 months ago. Update: The Canada-Mexico essential travel restrictions at land ports of entry POE were most recently extended for 3 months, through January 21, All prior notices had extended the restrictions month by month.
We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner. The modifications to the Title 19 regulations will occur in two phases over the next few months. First, in November, U. Travelers will be required to have appropriate paperwork that provides proof of vaccination.
Second, beginning in early January , DHS will require that all inbound foreign national travelers crossing U. This approach will provide ample time for essential travelers such as truckers, students, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated. This new travel system will create consistent, stringent protocols for all foreign nationals traveling to the United States — whether by air, land, or ferry — and accounts for the wide availability of COVID vaccinations.
Two Federal Register notices published on March 24, announced the decision to temporarily allow entry to the United States through land ports of entry along the U. Mexico borders for "essential travel" only. The restrictions have been consistently extended on a monthly basis, and will be in effect until p. EDT on January 21, , "unless amended or rescinded prior to that time. Only limited exceptions apply to the requirement to show proof of vaccination. Find out what is required when traveling to the United States by air.
Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated. If you have a medical condition that weakens your immune system or are taking medication that weakens your immune system, you might NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions. However, such strategies are increasingly common in many countries outside of the United States.
All non-U. Only limited exceptions apply. Learn more about this requirement. Children under 2 years old do not need to test. Learn more about these requirements. Learn what to do in each of these situations and when it is safe for you to travel if you or your travel companion may have COVID Isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
We celebrate you! And we will do everything in our power to protect you and your families. Below, we answer some of the most common questions we have heard from you about what your rights are, and how to stay safe. If you have never had a consultation with a legal representative, you should schedule one now. Without a legal screening, you may not know whether you are eligible for permanent immigration status in the United States.
While not everyone has the ability to secure legal status, many do. No one can enter your home without permission unless they have a search warrant or an arrest warrant signed by a judge.
If an officer informs you that they have a warrant, ask them to slip it under your door. Read it carefully. Immigration officers often have papers that look very official but are not judicial warrants. If someone says that they are a police officer, ask to see their badge. If the officers cannot show you a police badge, they may be immigration officers.
Even if they are the police, no one can enter your home without permission unless they have a search warrant or an arrest warrant signed by a judge. If you have proof of valid immigration status, such as a green card or a work authorization document, carry it with you at all times. If you have overstayed your visa or if you came to the U. Instead, look to see if a state or city ID is an option for you. Only carry one if it omits a reference to immigration status. If someone approaches you claiming to be an immigration agent, respectfully ask to see their badge.
If they are an ICE agent and you have legal status in the U. If they are an ICE agent and you do not have permission to be in the U. You can also ask to speak to a lawyer before answering any questions. You always have the right to remain silent. It is better to remain silent than to be dishonest with immigration agents. If you are searched by immigration agents, note that they are generally not allowed to look in your wallet or to read your papers.
A search of a person is generally restricted to looking for weapons or of possession of something illegal. You do not have to consent to any other kind of search. If you do not, you should ask if you are under arrest.
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