The U.S. State Department recently announced the suspension of routine visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, effective April 15.
Key Points:
Routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments are suspended until further notice. The embassy is only accepting expedited nonimmigrant visa appointments for specific cases, including life-or-death medical emergencies and facilitating travel for a child with a confirmed USCIS naturalization interview appointment based on a Form N-600K.
Nonimmigrant visa applicants may apply at any embassy or consulate where they are physically present and where appointments are available. Requests for expedited appointments must justify unique circumstances.
Routine immigrant visa appointments are also suspended until further notice. Immigrant visa applicants able to travel to another U.S. embassy or consulate processing immigrant visas are advised to consider transferring their case.
The American Citizen Services Unit in the Consular Section continues to provide services for U.S. citizens in Haiti.
Additional Information: Haitian nationals in the U.S. are reminded of the extended Temporary Protected Status re-registration period, allowing for submission of Form I-821 and Form I-765 before Aug. 3, 2024.
Analysis: The visa suspensions come amid escalating gang violence in Port-au-Prince following coordinated attacks on Feb. 29, leading to civil unrest and a government breakdown. The airport remains closed. Continued monitoring of the situation is advised.
This update has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.
