Immigrant Visa Appointments Affected as U.S. Embassies Curtail Operations in the Middle East

U.S. embassies and consulates across the Middle East have suspended routine operations amid ongoing strikes and retaliatory activity.

As a result, immigrant visa processing has been disrupted, with many posts cancelling scheduled interviews and limiting consular access indefinitely.

 

U.S. Embassies and Consulates Affected

 

Based on current reporting by AP News, NBC News, and Newsweek, immigrant visa services have been impacted at the following U.S. embassies and consulates:

• U.S. Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi, UAE
• U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan
• U.S. Consulate General Karachi, Pakistan
• U.S. Consulate General Lahore, Pakistan
• U.S. Embassy Amman, Jordan
• U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon
• U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq
• U.S. Consulate General Erbil, Iraq
• U.S. Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait

Additional posts across the region may also be operating with minimal staffing or suspended visa services, and conditions remain fluid.

 

Cancelled immigrant visa appointments do not constitute visa refusals, but applicants should anticipate delays once posts begin reopening, including possible reprioritization of cases.

 

Applicants with pending or cancelled immigrant visa appointments should:

• Rely only on official embassy communications for post‑specific guidance
• Monitor the website of the specific U.S. embassy or consulate handling their case
• Prepare for processing delays once services resume

If you have questions about your upcoming embassy appointment, please contact your MU attorney.

Department of State Launches AVITS Website for Appointment Scheduling

On September 30, 2024, the Department of State launched Applicant Visa Information Tracking System (AVITS), a new scheduling website for US visa applicants in certain countries.

AVITS will replace the previous scheduling system, US Travel Docs, for visa applicants applying for visas at US embassies located in the following countries:

• Belgium
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• France
• The Gambia
• Ghana
• Liberia
• The Netherlands
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone

Appointments scheduled on the previous website will remain on the original date selected. Applicants whose appointment was scheduled on the previous website must create a new account on AVITS using their previously registered email address.

AUGUST 2024 VISA BULLETIN: EB-3 RETROGRESSION LOOMS

The Department of State has just issued the August 2024 Visa Bulletin. This blog post analyzes this month's Visa Bulletin. 

Visa Bulletin

Table A: Final Action Dates -- Applications with these dates may be approved for their Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment.

Table B: Dates of Filing

The USCIS will use the Table A Final Action chart for I-485 employment-based filings. See: USCIS Visa Bulletin Dates

MU Law Analysis

There was small movement forward for India Categories EB-2 and EB-3 with priority dates moving forward nearly one month, but the remaining preference categories made no movement from July 2024.

The Visa Bulletin noted again that demand and number use has remained high in the EB-3 visa category. Although retrogression was not necessary for August, it will likely be necessary to either retrogress the final action date or make the category “Unavailable” in September.

USCIS LAUNCHES ONLINE APPOINTMENT REQUEST FORM

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new online appointment request form, which allows individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives to request an in-person appointment at a field office for ADIT stamps, Emergency Advance Parole, Immigration Judge Grants without having to call the USCIS Contact Center.

The newly launched online form is not a self-scheduling tool. Individuals may request a specific date and time for an in-person appointment, but the USCIS cannot guarantee that the requested appointment date will be scheduled.  The USCIS Contact Center will review submissions and the availability of in-person appointments at a specific field office. The USCIS will then confirm and schedule the individual for an available in-person appointment.

According to the USCIS, the online appointment request form aims to enhance the customer experience by collecting required information upfront and potentially scheduling the requested appointment without any further engagement with the USCIS Contact Center. However, the USCIS does state that the Contact Center may contact an individual either by phone or email depending on the appointment reason and urgency, using the information provided on the submitted request.

DOS PROPOSES RULE ON THIRD-PARTY ATTENDANCE AT CERTAIN APPOINTMENTS OVERSEAS

On July 26, 2023, the Department of State published in the Federal Register new rulemaking that would allow U.S. citizens abroad to be accompanied by an attorney, interpreter, and/or other third party when attending certain appointments at an Embassy or Consulate overseas, such as an appointment for a US passport, to Report of Birth Abroad, to request assistance in locating or assisting U.S. citizens, to request emergency medical assistance, crime victim assistance, amongst other selected services. 

The new rule makes it clear that individuals will bear any costs associated with the attendance of an attorney, interpreter, and that the representation or assistance by a third party or attorney does not excuse the applicant’s in-person appearance. 

The proposed rule affects 20 CFR parts 50, 51, and 71.  Public comments should be submitted by September 24, 2023.

EMBASSY AND CONSULATE GUIDANCE TO PRIORITIZE CERTAIN CONSULAR SERVICES HAS BEEN RESCINDED

The Department of State (DOS) previously issued guidance stating that embassies and consulates were required to prioritize certain consular services, due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The DOS now issued a notice that the November 2020 visa prioritization guidance has been rescinded, effective immediately.

All embassies and consulates now have broad discretion to determine how to best prioritize visa appointments, among the range of visa classifications, at each specific embassy or consulate. Embassies and consulates are still subject to any local conditions or restrictions that are in place. In addition, applicants can still request expedited interviews, if their work will be performed at a facility engaged in pandemic response.

US EMBASSIES TO USE TIERED APPROACH TO WORK ON BACKLOG

U.S. embassies and consulates have begun using a tiered approach to manage their substantial backlog of immigrant visas.  Many embassies and consulates continue to have a significant backlog of all categories of immigrant visas.

 

Tier One: Immediate relative intercountry adoption visas, age-out cases (cases where the applicant will soon no longer qualify due to their age), and certain Special Immigrant Visas (SQ and SI for Afghan and Iraqi nationals working with the U.S. government)

 

Tier Two: Immediate relative visas; fiancé(e) visas; and returning resident visas

 

Tier Three: Family preference immigrant visas and SE Special Immigrant Visas for certain employees of the U.S. government abroad

 

Tier Four: All other immigrant visas, including employment preference and diversity visas

While the Posts will generally use these tiers in order, where possible, Posts are scheduling some appointments within all four priority tiers every month.  Still the State Department recognizes that visa applicants, “particularly those in Tiers Three and Four, will face continued delays.”

PRESIDENT BIDEN RESCINDS PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION PROHIBITING ENTRY OF IMMIGRANTS DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

On February 24, 2021, President Biden rescinded Presidential Proclamation 10014. PP 10014 prohibited the issuance of most immigrant visas (green cards) at US Embassies and Consulates due to possible economic harm to the US during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

All consular processed green card cases put on hold due to PP 10014 will now resume processing. However, many US embassies are still operating on reduced staff, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we anticipate that there will continue to be delays in obtaining green card interviews at Embassies and Consulates.

Although PP 10014 has been rescinded, Presidential Proclamation 10052 (PP 10052) suspending the entry of nonimmigrant workers due to the COVID-19 Pandemic remains in place. Specifically, PP 10052 applies to applicants applying for H-1B, H-2B, L-1, J-1, H-4, L-2, and J-2 visas for entry to the US.

In addition, the Department of State (DOS) updated its guidance related to National Interest Exemptions for individuals subject to PP 10052. The eligibility requirements have not changed, but the DOS has provided further details of which nonimmigrant visa applicants can qualify for National Interest Exemptions. PP 10052 is currently set to expire on March 31, 2021.

USCIS EXTENDS SUSPENSION OF IN-PERSON SERVICES DUE TO COVID-19

The USCIS has extended its suspension of all in-person services until at least June 4, 2020.  This cancellation includes interviews for green card cases, Naturalization ceremonies, and biometrics appointments. USCIS will send notices to all applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments impacted by this closure and all appointments will be automatically rescheduled when services resume. 

The USCIS will re-use biometric information already on file in order to process applications for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). 

USCIS staff continue to adjudicate cases and complete work that does not involve contact with the public.  USCIS will provide emergency services where the situation warrants doing so.

UPDATED: IMMIGRATION CLOSURES AND UPDATES AS A RESULT OF COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a variety of closures and suspensions of immigration services.  Below is a summary of all closures and suspensions at this time.  This list is subject to change as new updates become available. 

US Citizenship and Immigration Service:

Immigration Filings: The USCIS recently announced that it may excuse some delays in filing immigration cases in a timely manner. USCIS, in its discretion, may excuse the failure to file on time if it was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the applicant’s control, such as those that may be caused by COVID-19.

Effective March 20, 2020 the USCIS has announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing on all I-129s (L-1s, H-1Bs, TNs) and I-140s.

For all cases where an RFE (Request for Evidence) or NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) was issued between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2020, the USCIS will allow an automatic 60-day extension to the due date. 

Interviews and In-Person Appointments: The USCIS has suspended all in-person services until at least May 3, 2020.  The USCIS has also announced that it will re-use biometric information already on file in order to process applications for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). 

Electronic Signatures: Due to the National Emergency, USCIS will accept scanned, faxed, or photocopied, original signatures. 

Department of State:

US Embassies: Effective March 20, 2020 the Department of States has also suspended interviews in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19.  If you are a medical professional, please see our previous blog post about interviews for medical professionals. 

Travel Restrictions: 

Out of the US: On March 19, 2020, the Department of State has issued a Level 4 warning, advising all US Citizens to avoid all international travel. 

Into the US: Travel bans have been issued restricting travel to the US for individuals who have traveled to several countries within in the last 14 days.

The following individuals are exempt from the travel ban:

• US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;
• Spouses of US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;
• Parents or legal guardians of US Citizens of Lawful Permanent Residents, provided that the child is unmarried and under the age of 21;
• Siblings of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents, provided both are unmarried and under the age of 21;
• Children who are under the legal custody of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents; and
• Other certain foreign government and health officials.

Stay Safe and Healthy and Please Remember to Wash Your Hands Regularly.

UPDATED: IMMIGRATION CLOSURES AND UPDATES AS A RESULT OF COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a variety of closures and suspensions of immigration services.  Below is a summary of all closures and suspensions at this time.  This list is subject to change as new updates become available. 

US Citizenship and Immigration Service:

Immigration Filings: USCIS will continue to perform duties that do not involve contact with the public.  Petitions will continue to be accepted for filing and adjudicated by the USCIS.  Effective March 20, 2020 the USCIS has announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing on all I-129s (L-1s, H-1Bs, TNs) and I-140s.

For all cases where an RFE (Request for Evidence) or NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) was issued between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2020, the USCIS will allow an automatic 60 day extension to the due date. 

Interviews and In-Person Appointments: The USCIS has suspended all in-person services until at least May 3, 2020.  This cancellation includes interviews for green card cases and biometrics appointments. USCIS will send notices to all applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments impacted by this closure and all appointments will be automatically rescheduled when services resume.  The USCIS has also announced that it will re-use biometric information already on file in order to process applications for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). 

Electronic Signatures: Due to the National Emergency, USCIS will accept scanned, faxed, or photocopied, original signatures.  For forms that require an original “wet” signature, including the I-129, I-140, and I-485, USCIS will accept electronically reproduced original signatures for the duration of the National Emergency.

Department of State:

US Embassies: Effective March 20, 2020 the Department of States has also suspended interviews in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19.  As resources allow, embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency services. Appointments and interviews will resume as soon as possible.  If you are a medical professional, please see our previous blog post about interviews for medical professionals. 

Travel Restrictions: 

Out of the US: On March 19, 2020, the Department of State has issued a Level 4 warning, advising all US Citizens to avoid all international travel.  US Citizens who do not live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the US or prepare to remain abroad for an indefinite period of time.  Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and are implementing travel restrictions, quarantines, and closed borders.

Into the US: Travel bans have been issued restricting travel to the US for individuals who have traveled to: Austria, Belgium, Mainland China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, United Kingdom, within in the last 14 days.

The following individuals are exempt from the travel ban:

• US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;
• Spouses of US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;
• Parents or legal guardians of US Citizens of Lawful Permanent Residents, provided that the child is unmarried and under the age of 21;
• Siblings of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents, provided both are unmarried and under the age of 21;
• Children who are under the legal custody of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents; and
• Other certain foreign government and health officials. 

 On April 11, 2020 officials will reassess COVID-19 travel bans.

Stay Safe and Healthy and Please Remember to Wash Your Hands Regularly

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WITH AN APPROVED IMMIGRATION PETITION SHOULD CONTACT THEIR NEAREST US EMBASSY OR CONSULATE

The US Department of State has issued a statement that all medical professionals, particularly those working to combat Covid-19, should contact their nearest US Embassy to request a visa appointment.  If you are a medical professional and have an approved I-129, I-140 or other immigration petition, you should contact the US Embassy or Consulate nearest to you to schedule a visa appointment as soon as possible.  Even if the Embassy is currently closed to routine interviews, an interview may be granted for a medical professional. 

The medical professional with an approved I-140 must have a current priority date.

IMMIGRATION CLOSURES AND UPDATES AS A RESULT OF COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a variety of closures and suspensions of immigration services.  Below is a summary of all closures and suspensions at this time.  This list is subject to change as new updates become available. 

US Citizenship and Immigration Service: As of March 18, 2020 the USCIS has suspended all in-person services until at least April 1, 2020.  This cancellation includes interviews for green card cases and biometrics appointments. USCIS will send notices to all applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments impacted by this closure and all appointments will be automatically rescheduled when services resume.

USCIS will continue to perform duties that do not involve contact with the public.  Petitions will continue to be accepted for filing and adjudicated by the USCIS.

Emergency appointments and services will be provided by the USCIS in limited situations. 

Department of State: Most US Embassies have also suspended interviews in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19.  You can find country specific information from the US Department of State about Covid-19 here.

Travel Restrictions:  Travel bans have been issued restricting travel to the US for individuals who have traveled to: Austria, Belgium, Mainland China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, United Kingdom, within in the last 14 days.

The following individuals are exempt from the travel ban:

• US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;

• Spouses of US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;

• Parents or legal guardians of US Citizens of Lawful Permanent Residents, provided that the child is unmarried and under the age of 21;

• Siblings of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents, provided both are unmarried and under the age of 21;

• Children who are under the legal custody of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents; and

• Other certain foreign government and health officials. 

On April 11, 2020 officials will reassess COVID-19 travel bans.

Stay Safe and Healthy and Please Remember to Wash Your Hands Regularly.

IF YOU FEEL ILL, RESCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT WITH USCIS

The USCIS has indicate that there will be no penalty for rescheduling appointments due to illness because of the COVID-19 outbreak. 

If you become ill for any reason, even if you were not exposed to COVID-19, USCIS advises that you do not attend your appointment at a USCIS office. You should follow the instructions on your USCIS appointment notice to reschedule an appointment with the USCIS. 

You should reschedule your USCIS appointment if you:

• Were in any country designated as a "level 3" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within 14 days of your appointment;
• Believe that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 (even if you were not in a level 3 country);
• Are experiencing flu-like symptoms (such as a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat or fever). 

USCIS wants to ensure the safety of foreign nationals and USCIS employees.  There is no penalty if you reschedule your appointment at this time.

DECEMBER 2018 VISA BULLETIN: TRENDS AND PREDICTIONS

The Department of State has just issued the December 2018 Visa Bulletin. This is the third Visa Bulletin of Fiscal Year 2019. This blog post analyzes this month's Visa Bulletin.

December 2018 Visa Bulletin

Table A: Final Action Dates -- Applications with these dates may be approved for their Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment.

EB  Class	All Other	CHINA	INDIA	PHIL'PNES
EB-1	01JUL17	01SEP16	01SEP16	01JUL17
EB-2	C	01JUL15	01APR09	C
EB-3	C	08JUN15	01MAR09	15JUN17

Table B: Dates for Filing -- The DOS may work on applications with these dates. But the Visa cannot be approved until the date is current per Table A.

EB  Class	All Other	CHINA	INDIA	PHIL'PNES
EB-1	01JUN18	01OCT17	01OCT17	01JUN18
EB-2	C	08SEP15	22MAY09	C
EB-3	C	01DEC15	01JAN10	01AUG17

MU Law Analysis (all references are to Table A unless noted)

All Other, Mexico: As we expected, the EB-1 category moved several months. We expect continued steady movement in this category for All Other.

China: Likewise, the China EB-1 category progressed several months. This category may not move as fast as All Other in the next few Visa Bulletins. China EB-2 moved two months, although EB-3 only advanced one week. We expect EB-3 to slightly outpace EB-2 in the next few Visa Bulletins.

India: The Indian EB-3 date moved two months, which was more than expected. There is a chance that EB-3 continues to move at this pace for the next few Visa Bulletins. We expect the slow/no progress to be standard for EB-2 in the first part of FY 2019.

Philippines: The EB-3 date again also only moved up by week, which is slower than we would have liked to have seen. While over the course of FY2019, we should eventually see the EB-3 priority date extend into CY2018, we do not expect too much movement in the next few Visa Bulletins.

USCIS ANNOUNCES THE TERMINATION OF SELF-SCHEDULED INFOPASS APPOINTMENTS

In 2019, the USCIS plans to expand its Information Services Modernization Program throughout the US. This expansion will end self-scheduled InfoPass appointments and instead applicants will use the USCIS website to view general how-to information, access processing times, check case status, and other information about the processing of immigration cases.

The USCIS states that the transition to the Information Services Modernization Program has already improved the delivery of emergency services which can only be provided in person. USCIS surveys and data determined that most people scheduling InfoPass appointments could obtain the same information by calling the USCIS or checking the USCIS website. 

Going forward, when the USCIS customer service representative online or on the phone determines an in-person appointment is necessary, the customer service representative will schedule the appointment for the applicant.