The Embassy of the United States in New Delhi and the various U.S. consular posts in India have announced the temporary suspension of most visa services through at least May 15, 2021, due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 throughout India. 

Consular Posts in India 

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and U.S. consular posts in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata have cancelled all visa appointments through May 15, including both in-person interviews and interview waiver appointments.  Emergency appointments may be accommodated as circumstances and staffing permit, but routine appointments will not be served.  The posts are not currently rescheduling canceled appointments and are not indicating the date when rescheduling might be available. 

The U.S. consular post in Mumbai will continue to allow Interview waiver applications and will continue to provide U.S. citizen services and emergency nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services.   

It is possible that posts in India will cancel additional appointments scheduled for dates beyond May 15, 2021.   

Other Posts Around the World 

Most U.S. Embassies and consular posts around the world continue to operate at reduced staffing levels due to COVID-19 precautions specified by the U.S. Department of State and/or the country or municipal area where they are located.  Some posts are open only for emergency visa services and U.S. citizen services while other posts are handling routine visa applications and interviews.  Because of continuing staffing limitations at posts worldwide, applicants should be aware of the possibility for any application appointment to be canceled, including “interview waiver” applications. 

International Travel Remains Problematic 

Even for travelers who already have the necessary visas, international travel can be problematic and subject to delays.  Some countries have travel restrictions impacting whether their citizens may depart and/or citizens of other countries may enter.  Quarantine periods are often imposed, and new, modified, or extended restrictions can be announced with little or no advance notice.  Applicants should investigate the travel restrictions applicable in their country and their destination country prior to travel and should be aware that applicable restrictions may change and impact anticipated dates of return travel. 

Foster will continue to monitor travel restrictions and the availability of consular services and will make future updates available as appropriate via our firm website at www.fosterglobal.com.