Global Travel Restrictions And Visa Application Delays Continue

While personal and business travel needs have continued throughout the pandemic, the combined impact of significantly reduced operations at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, as well as various Presidential Proclamations, have dramatically reduced the number of work visas issued abroad. For instance, the State Department's monthly nonimmigrant visa issuance statistics show that the issuance of H-1B visas at some of busiest consulates has decreased over 90% when compared to a year ago. U.S. Consulates and Embassies around the world continue to operate at much reduced capacity for visa appointments with many consulates operating with restricted services accepting only mission-critical or life-and-death emergency appointments. Visa appointment wait times for specific consulates can be found on the State Department's website along with guidance on current consular operations.