Tightened U.S. Visa Regulations: Navigating Alternative Options
The U.S. Department of State has announced new visa issuance rules, effective from November 1. These changes primarily affect immigrant visa applicants, with some implications for tourist visa applications.
Under the new rules, U.S. authorities have designated specific consulates for immigrant visa interviews. For Russian citizens, they have two options: Astana or Warsaw. However, it's important to note that Astana is not included in the list of cities designated for immigrant visa interviews for Russians. Instead, Russians can choose between Warsaw, Almaty, and Tashkent.
Ukrainian citizens, on the other hand, have only one option for immigrant visa interviews: Warsaw. Ukrainians can also apply for visas in Krakow, but Krakow is not included in the list of cities designated for immigrant visa interviews for Ukrainian citizens.
For applicants from countries such as Afghanistan, Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Zimbabwe, they are expected to attend immigrant visa interviews at designated consulates outside their countries of residence. However, Ukraine is not included in this list.
Belarusians can only apply for visas in Vilnius and Warsaw, while Belarus is among the countries with designated consulates for immigrant visa interviews, along with Russia.
It's worth noting that the new rules do not apply to previously scheduled interviews. Also, applications for tourist visas B1/B2 and other non-immigrant "stickers" can only be submitted in the applicant's country of citizenship or permanent residence.
Other countries will no longer accept applications for immigrant visas, but previously scheduled interviews will be honoured. Among the 16 countries for which the U.S. has designated specific consulates for interviews, Ukraine is not included.
Despite the new rules, there may be longer wait times for visa interviews due to the changes. For those planning to apply for an immigrant visa, it's advisable to check the updated list of designated cities and schedule interviews as soon as possible.
These changes aim to streamline the visa application process and ensure a more secure and efficient system for all involved. It's recommended that applicants stay informed about the latest updates from the U.S. Department of State to facilitate a smooth visa application process.
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