Consulate Update of Various Countries
Posted Sep 28, 2001

We post this article as a benefit to many of you who plan to travel to various consulates around the world to apply for your nonimmigrant or immigrant visas. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Department of State has confirmed that there has not to date been any major change in visa services. Some consulates were closed for several days, but most appear to now be open. It has generally been difficult to obtain details regarding rescheduling of appointments for days when particular posts were closed, especially since consulates have not necessarily been updating their websites with that information. We provide you with the following information based on what we have obtained so far.

Chennai, India

The U.S. consulate in Chennai says that for persons scheduled for immigrant visa interview appointments who have not been able to get there because of flight delays and cancellations due to the events of September 11, 2001, it is possible to go there any business day except Monday at 8 a.m. during September 2001. If the applicant cannot get there by the end of September 2001, then it is necessary to write and request rescheduling. The government's fiscal year ends September 30, so it would be necessary to obtain a visa number from next year's quota for interviews after September and to confirm visa availability, for any other month.

However, other consulates in India were not allowing late arrivals. Any interviews missed during September are being rescheduled. Applicants are receiving appointments for November 2001 or later.

New Delhi, India

John R. Nay, the Consul General at New Delhi informed AILA that the New Delhi consulate is not in a position to advise someone to travel to New Delhi to attend an IV interview appointment. That is a decision each person needs to make based on her/his own situation.

At present, New Delhi is continuing with IV appointments as scheduled and travel is occurring between India and the U.S. They do not have any specific information to indicate that is likely to change, but we they could not be certain. In light of recent events of September 11, 2001, they could not promise that things would not change. 

London, UK

The U.S. Embassy in London asks applicants whose appointments were scheduled for days that the Embassy was closed, to call and reschedule. Please note the Embassy prefers telephone contact for this purpose.

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Some U.S. consulates in Mexico report that they have had fewer applicants. Some locations Mexico had fewer appointment requests. It is unclear whether that decrease is in any way related to the new clearance procedures described in this week’s (September 28, 2001) article entitled New Process for Visas to Mexico. Perhaps people are delaying appointment scheduling for now until after they have obtained the Mexican tourist visa.

Paris, France

Initially, by Tuesday, September 18, 2001, Paris was back to its usual processing schedule for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. Due to security considerations, it was announced earlier this week (September 24, 2001) that there will be no walk-ins for nonimmigrant visas (NIVs) allowed any longer. All NIV applications will now need to be mailed. They intend to turn around their review and respond within 2 business days.

Applicants whose immigrant visa appointments were missed due to prior closures were instructed to take their appointment letters with them, for handling on a walk-in basis.

Frankfurt, Germany

The U.S. consulate at Frankfurt is apparently proceeding with scheduled IV interviews.

Montreal, Canada

Per confirmation from the U.S. Consulate in Montreal, Canada, its office is open for all scheduled interviews.

We are happy to post further updates with regard to U.S. consulate procedures as more information becomes available.