Visa Appointments Cancelled in India Due to COVID-19
U.S. Embassy and Consulate posts throughout India announced today that in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments scheduled on Monday, March 16, 2020, onward have been canceled.
Once the posts are able to resume regular consular operations, appointments will be made available and individuals will be able to reschedule.
It is probable that other consular posts throughout the world will follow suit shortly. Employees who may be affected by this alert should be notified so they can take appropriate steps to avoid scheduling international travel and/or immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. Employees currently outside the United States who will not be able to obtain a visa appointment may be required to remain abroad for a longer time than originally anticipated.
The current cancellation of available appointments will undoubtedly affect the summer international travel plans for many employees planning to travel abroad, as historically there is a great demand for visa appointments during the summer months, which necessitates scheduling visa appointments 2-3 months in advance of anticipated travel. Given the current cancellation of appointments at posts in India, employers should notify Miller Canfield regarding any employees who may be affected by the sudden cancellation of visa appointment availability abroad. Employers are also advised to contact Miller Canfield regarding any questions related to travel restrictions implemented by countries abroad in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.