Tag: US Embassy

U.S. Suspends Nonimmigrant Visa Services in Turkey; Turkey Responds by Suspending Visas to U.S. Citizens

The U.S. Embassy announced it was suspending all nonimmigrant visa services in all U.S. diplomatic posts in Turkey. Turkey responded within a few hours of the U.S. Embassy’s announcement by saying it would no longer issue visas to U.S. citizens, including the physical “sticker” visas at border posts as well as the online Turkish electronic visa (e-visa).

It’s important to note that while the U.S. has halted its visa services in Turkey, it appears that the U.S. State Department is still issuing visas to Turkish nationals outside of Turkey. The U.S. has not indicated how long the suspension will last. Nevertheless, Turkish nationals who are currently in the US with expiring visas in their passports and who need to travel internationally should consider applying at another post as a third-country national. While applying as a third-country national is not ideal because such applications can be subject to delays, applying at another post may become necessary if the suspension of visa services in Turkey continues.

This post was written by Rebecca B. Schechter  of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. All rights reserved., ©2017

Suspension of Visa Operations in Russia

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Russia announced that “[a]s a result of the Russian government’s personnel cap imposed on the U.S. Mission, all nonimmigrant visa (NIV) operations across Russia will be suspended beginning August 23, 2017.”

This is the most recent volley in the diplomatic back-and-forth that started with the reports of possible Russian involvement in U.S. elections. Following U.S.-imposed sanctions, Russia ordered the withdrawal of 755 U.S. diplomatic personnel from Russia.

Generally, the announcement means:

  • The U.S. Mission has begun cancelling current nonimmigrant visa appointments countrywide.
  • As of September 1, nonimmigrant visa interviews will be conducted only at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
  • NIV applicants whose appointments are cancelled can reschedule for a later date in Moscow.
  • Some immigrant visa interviews also will be affected.
  • The Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate in St. Petersburg will no longer accept new visa applications from residents of Belarus, who are encouraged to schedule NIV appointments in Warsaw, Kyiv (Kiev), or Vilnius.
  • The current plan is to offer a block of visa appointments for students in early September.
  • The Embassy in Moscow will continue to process NIV applications without an interview for those who qualify.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow and the three consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok will continue to provide emergency and routine services to American citizens, although hours may change.

This post was written by Michael H. Neifach  of Jackson Lewis P.C. © 2017

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