The US Consulates are closed: What happened to my visa application?
You are here
Home / The US Consulates are ...Since March 22, 2020, the US Embassies and Consulates worldwide have suspended all visa services due to COVID-19. As a result, many individuals' visa applications are stuck in limbo. Intending immigrants who are sponsored by their employers and family members are surely affected by the shut down of consular services. Even those who just wish to get a short-term visitor or business visa to enter the US are equally out of luck. With the virus situation worsening in America, there are no definite reopening dates scheduled for most US Embassies and Consulates.
Visas Not Issued Yet
Hence, many immigrant visa holders now have expired or expiring visas in their passports. The good news is that, the consulate officers have the discretionary authority to issue a new visa to an applicant, provided that the applicant continues to be eligible for the visa. Hence, this group of visa applicants should examine their case to see if their statuses have changed or if documents need to be updated. It is important to note that life events such as marriages and divorces could affect your eligibility under a particular visa classification. Also make sure that your documents such as passport and police clearance are not outdated. When in doubt, one should consult with a qualified US attorney for more information.
Aging-Out Children
Immigrants with older children must also be extra careful about their children's status. For visa categories such as Family 3rd or 4th, the dependent children may immigrate with the principal applicants before the age of 21. If a child has already reached 21 or is aging out soon, he or she could lose eligibility to immigrate. A special law called Child Status Protection Act may be invoked to save the child's eligibility if certain legal requirements are met. In general, close attention must be paid to cases with aging-out children.
Some Visa Appointments May Resume Soon
Even though the situation seems gloomy, there is hope in the horizon. There were reports that some US Embassies and Consulates were planning to schedule visa appointments for non-immigrant visas such as H-1B, B-1/B-2, F-1, O-1, and L-1, including Belgium, London, Beijing and Guangzhou. However, Trump's most recent visa ban in June may negatively impact these Consulates' plans. Even if an applicant gets a visa stamp in his/her passport, he or she is still subject to President Trump's visa ban for both immigrant and non-immigrant visas until at least the end of the year unless the person qualifies for a waiver or exemption.
Our Promise to Clients:
- Always be polite to our clients
- Listen to our clients
- Return phone calls and emails
- Keep clients informed
- Recommend the most practical solution
Case Evaluation
Appointments
- Phone Consultations
- Weekend/Evening Appointments
- Out of State Services
- VISA/MC/AE Accepted
We serve clients from all countries and walks of life from investors, professionals, skilled labourers, and people wishing to join their family members in the USA.
Contact Us
1-732-632-9888
Paul Szeto LLC.190 State Route 27
No. Edison, NJ 08820 USA
info@szetolaw.com
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Admissions & Associations
- Bar Admissions:
-
- New York State Bar
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
- New Jersey State Bar
- Middlesex County Bar Association
- California Bar (inactive)
- Associations:
-
- New York State Bar Association
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- Middlesex County Bar Association
- California Bar Association