Coronavirus Update: U.S. Embassies in Rome and Kingston Closed to Routine Services

Announced on March 11 and March 12, the U.S. Embassies in Rome, Italy and Kingston, Jamaica are closed to visa and other routine services. Only emergency American citizen services and emergency visa services will be available. Emergency American citizen services include services such as lost passports, citizens missing abroad, arrest or detention, forced marriage, terrorism, and emergency financial assistance. Emergency visa services are only provided at the consulate’s discretion but can include purposes such as medical emergency, illness or injury of a family member, funeral or death, business, and students/exchange students/temporary workers. For details of emergency services the U.S. embassies and consulates offer, please check the embassy website of the specific country. A list of embassy websites can be found on the official Department of State website here.

The Embassy closure in Rome is in response to the U.S. issuing a travel ban on travelers coming from Schengen Areas. The While House issued another presidential proclamation imposing travel restrictions and quarantines on travelers from countries in the European Schengen Area starting on 5 PM EST March 13 due to the coronavirus. This is after the travel ban imposed on travelers from China imposed on February 2, 2020 and Iran on March 3. Emergency services are available at the U.S. Embassy in Rome and Consulates General in Milan, Naples, and Florence.

The Embassy closure in Kingston is in response of the local health ministry confirming that there are now two confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. Emergency services are available at the Embassy in Kingston, and Consular Agencies in Montego Bay and Cayman Islands.

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