Department of State (DOS)
Last Updated
September 23, 2022
Topics
- Visa Services Operating Status Update: On Nov. 19, 2021, the Department of State provided an update that the guidance to posts for the prioritization of consular services during the pandemic issued in November 2020 has been rescinded. “The Bureau of Consular Affairs will focus on reducing wait times for all consular services at our embassies and consulates overseas while also protecting health and safety of our staff and applicants...Embassies and consulates have broad discretion to determine how to prioritize visa appointments among the range of visa classes as safely as possible, subject to local conditions and restrictions.”
- Travel to the United States No Longer Requires Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test. and, Proof of Vaccination Still Required for Nonimmigrants. DOS, together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supdated its previous announcements on June 10, 2022, rescinding previous orders. Effective June 12, 2022, air travelers to the United States will no longer need to provide proof of a negative COVID test taken one day prior to boarding. However, pursuant to a previous DOS and CDC announcement, nonimmigrant travelers to the United States will not be allowed to board flights unless they show proof of full vaccination. Individuals traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa will have completed vaccination to complete the vaccination requirements on the I-693. As of Jan. 22, 2022, DHS requires non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination. These restrictions apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for both essential and non-essential reasons. Vaccination requirements do not apply to LPRs or USCs traveling to the United States. Certain limited exemptions to the testing and vaccination requirements, including for children, apply. More details, including exemptions, can be found on the DHS website.
- Visa Services Abroad: Check the website of an embassy or consulate for its current operating status. As resources allow embassies and consulates that have not resumed services will continue to provide urgent and emergency visa services.
- National Visa Center (NVC): NVC has notified CLINIC that its staffing remains somewhat impacted by COVID-19. Inquiries received via NVC’s online inquiry tool appear to be taking 2 months as of Sept. 6, 2022.. NVC encourages applicants and practitioners to use self-service tools such as CEAC or consult the NVC’s timeframes page. NVC’s public inquiry telephone line has been suspended until further notice.
- U.S. Citizen Services Abroad: Services to U.S. citizens continue to be available. More information is available on the Embassies’ websites.
- U.S. Passport Services: While U.S. Passport services are active after a period of suspension and phased re-opening, in-person services remain extremely limited. Centers are only accepting two kinds of appointments, Life-or Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service. Applicants need to call for appointments. See the Department of State COVID FAQs regarding passport services. The DOS encourages applicants to apply by mail when possible, to reduce in-person contact and delays associated with passport applications: 7-10 weeks for routine requests, 4-6 weeks for expedited requests. DOS states that delays in mail service play a big role in these protracted processing timeframes.
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