News: All Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Appointments Cancelled in India, Dropbox Works
Breaking News – All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments in the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India is Cancelled until further notice.
Last Updated: Mar 15 – 2 PM EST
The following Update was just posted in U.S. Embassy in India.
U.S. Mission India posts, in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, are cancelling immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments from March 16, 2020, onward. Your visa appointment stands as cancelled. Once Mission India resumes regular consular operations, appointments will be made available and you will be able to reschedule. Please see www.ustraveldocs.com/in and in.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ for further information.
Here’s the Link to the Announcement. See the Q&A Below.
Q1. Is the H1 Visa appointment canceled as well?
All the visa appointments (immigrant and non-immigrant) are canceled from March 16, 2020 until further notice.
Q2. Should we pay Visa fee again?
In the http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/in/ after logging the interview status is still scheduled for the dates after 16th March. Is there a way we can know, If the status of the interview will change and Do we again have to pay the interview scheduling fee?
This announcement was just posted on the U.S. Embassy website. So, it will take time for the Travel Docs site to be updated. And read the announcement (again!). YOu can reschedule when they open the appointment and you don’t have to pay again.
Q3. Appointment Status Update
My future husband has an appointment on 30th March – on his visa application it still shows available, – any ideas when will it be updated to show if its cancelled or not ? And when will we be able to reschedule?
I doubt the status will change to cancel, if they were to update thousands of appointments, it will take lot of time.
For now, go with the message posted and follow the Embassy site for updates.
If U.S. State Department says all appointments are canceled, then take their word and wait for additional instructions.
Don’t expect them to call you personally nor update each appointment in a day. Have Patience and then some.
Q4. What about Dropbox appointments?
Refer to Q1.
Q5. Is it only for new visa appointments?
Refer to Q1.
Here’s the update posted by a member after calling the Travel Docs Customer Support in India.
Q6. What about Dropbox Appointments and 221(g) Administrative Processing?
Here’s what is posted at U.S. Travel Docs India Webiste:
As of March 16, 2020, the United States Embassy and Consulates in India are cancelling routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments, and will not process immigrant 221gs. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. The MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at www.ustraveldocs.com/in to request an emergency appointment.
Here’s what’s unclear about this announcement about 221(g).
Will not process Immigrant 221g.
Does that mean, non-immigrant 221(g) will be processed?
Yes. Heer’s the Tweet confirmign the same.
@USAndKolkata however, will not process interview waiver applications. Therefore, if you have an interview waiver submission appointment [except for @USAndKolkata] it still stands. In addition, Visa Application Centers remain open for document submission and passport return.
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) March 14, 2020
Q7. Biometric Appointment Works as Schedulded, but Not required
The Visa Application Center remains open and will honor all existing biometric appointments; however applicants are not required to complete biometric appointments at this time. Please see https://t.co/XajM1imNpq for further information.
— U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad (@USAndHyderabad) March 15, 2020
This is a developing story. Please stay tuned for updates.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
My biometrics are completed, but my interview got cancelled. Now when I log into the U.S Visa portal to check the interview slot availability. The portal redirects me to the OFC dates. I’m not able to see the visa interview dates . My biometrics is already done, but why am I seeing the OFC dates again???
Any idea?
Hi,
What’s the status now? Did dropbox appointments resume, and how about in person interviews?
Thanks
NK
Hi,
I had submitted my passport for visa stamping via dropbox on March 6th. I received my passport back from the consulate on friday(03/13) and I have been asked to appear for an interview at the consulate. I was going to go for the same tomorrow, but I heard news saying that all visa appointments at the consulate are cancelled. I did not receive any email or sms notification about the same. Since the website says they are not processing immigrant 221g’s. Mine is a nonimmigrant 221g. Does this mean that I can still appear for the interview? Looking for some help regarding this issue.
Thanks.
In-person interviews are canceled until further notice.
Hi,
I am also on the same boat, could you please update your status.
Hello All, I have submitted docs through Dropbox a week for H1B and current status is showing as “Your passport is still with Embassy”. Does this rule impact my visa as well or will I get the passport with Visa as expected in next couple of days.
Thanks.
You have to wait and see.
I spoke with USA Visa Help Desk. They told me All consulates and VAC in India will remain closed from 15th to 20th of March.
Are the consulates processing already submitted Visa applications through drop box after March 12th. I submitted my documents on March 13th and passport status showed that it was with the consulate till two weeks back, but now it shows No Status.
I am not sure it any process is being done at the back end or everything is on hold.
No one knows the answer. You just have to sit tight. I know someone who got visa approval on Mar 12th and haven’t received the passport yet.
My wife submitted visa for stamping via Dropbox facility on 4th march, the ceac.goc site shows administrative processing whereas the travel docs shows passport status as “pending with counselor” will these on going processing will also get cancelled???
By chance she gets the visa stamp will she be able to travel ? Hope that the travel ban is not imposed.
Thanks in advance.
Looks like 221(g) will be also put on hold.
Hello
My sister and her family have got their biometrics and consulate interview for their B2 Visitor VISAs to the USA, on the 16th March and 20th March 2020, (upcoming Monday and Friday respectively) , so should she also be backing off from her appointments?
Any response/advice is highly appreciated.
Yes. all appointments are canceled. I’m not sure about biometrics. I think it’s should also canceled.
Is the H1B stampling also cancelled?