Coronavirus Update: Additional U.S. Embassies and Consulates Cancel Visa Appointments

Additional U.S. Embassies and Consulates that cancelled and rescheduled their nonimmigrant and immigrant visa appointments due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These consulates have stopped routine procedure for most except for emergency U.S. citizen service.

These are the latest updates:

• The United Kingdom: The U.S. Embassy in London is canceling routine nonimmigrant and immigrant visa appointments beginning March 17 and until further notice. London is a major E-2 visa application post and the only one in England that processed E-2 investor visas. Applications can still be submitted to wait in line, however visa interviews cannot be scheduled at this time.

• Canada: The U.S. Consulate in Toronto has started canceling routine nonimmigrant visa appointments. Toronto is the only consulate in Canada that processed E-2 investor applications. E-2 spouses and employees can apply at the consulates in other locations. Applications can still be submitted however interviews are not being scheduled at this time.

• South Africa: Most nonimmigrant visa appointments from March 16 until May 31, 2020 are being cancelled.

• Amsterdam, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Philippines, Poland, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland: Most immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments beginning March 16 or earlier and until further notice are being cancelled.

Further cancellations and reduction of services should be expected in the coming days. Consulates in Rome and Nairobi have also stopped processing. For information on how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact your visa, please click here. If you are currently in the U.S. on ESTA, please read our blog post on Satisfactory departure during Coronavirus when you click here. For more information on applying for unemployment benefits while you are in the United States on an E-2 visa, please click here.

We have provided a number of links with key immigration information related to the Corona Virus.

• Top 10 Covid-19 Immigration Questions
• Implications of Layoffs for employers who have employees on H-1B and/or E-3 Visas
• USCIS announces flexibility for request for evidence (RFE) and Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
• Information on Consular closures during Covid-19
• USCIS issues guidance on Remote 1-9 verification during Covid-19
• USCIS office closures due to Covid-19
• Can I apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits while on a Visa?
• Canada/U.S. Border Closures
• USCIS announces temporary suspension of premium processing
• What can you do if your ESTA is running out? 
• Travel Ban for Europe
• Stimulus Bill (All 800 pages)
• Information on Small Business Loans related to the Stimulus package
• USCIS to accept scanned/reproduced signatures instead of “wet” signatures on immigration petitions and forms
• Implications of furlough or termination if you are on a TN visa
• Does the Stimulus Bill impact my immigration status? Is there a public charge concern?
• Understanding the Stimulus Package for Small Businesses and the Paycheck Protection Program
• Small Business Administration COVID-19 Loans