U.S. Embassies and Consulates suspend routine visa services

by Atty. Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq.

The National Visa Center (NVC) announced that U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad have suspended routine visa services due to COVID-19 concerns.

The announcement has caused delays in the processing of immigrant and nonimmigrant visa petitions.

NVC said that it cannot predict when routine visa services will resume, and it cannot guarantee or predict when your case will be sent to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General abroad.

The Center further explained when it does forward your case, you will receive another notification.

Citizens who have filed fiance/fiancee visa petitions (Form I-129F) are concerned because these petitions have a 120-day expiration from the date of approval by USCIS.

According to NVC, when the beneficiary’s designated consulate resumes normal operations, a consular officer will revalidate the petition for another 120 days. NVC said that fiance/fiancee visa petitioners do not need to take any action for this revalidation to happen, although such petitioners may need to provide evidence that they still qualify for the K-1 nonimmigrant visa.

For the most up-to-date information about the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General’s operating status, visit their website at https://usembassy.gov.