US Embassy in Cambodia is open again

[odosan 0]

I was surfing the Embassy websites this Xmas and I noticed that Cambodians that apply for Immigrant Visas do not need to go to Thailand anymore. Here is the Press Release:

"Press Release

Resumption of Immigrant Visa Processing by U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh

On February 1, 2007, the United States Embassy in Phnom Penh will begin processing immigrant, diversity and fiancée visas for Cambodian citizens, resuming a function currently being performed by the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Until December 29, 2006, Embassy Bangkok will continue to process Cambodian immigrant, diversity and fiancée visas, and all inquiries about immigrant and fiancée visas must still be addressed to the Bangkok Consular Section (visasbkk@state.gov) until that date.

During January 2007, Cambodian immigrant visa processing will be on hold. The Cambodia Immigrant Visa Unit in Bangkok will close on December 29, 2006 to prepare cases for transfer to Phnom Penh. Applicants with pending cases should not return to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok with requested documentation or to make inquiries after January 5, 2007. Emergency requests for information, however, may still be addressed to the U.S. Embassy at visasbkk@state.gov throughout the January transition period.

After the transfer to Phnom Penh, all new immigrant, diversity and fiancée visa interviews will continue to be handled by appointment only. As before, applicants will be individually notified of their processing schedule. Further instructions for pending cases will be available on the embassy website after the transfer period. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh will not be able to accept public inquiries regarding Cambodian immigrant, diversity or fiancée visas until February 1. After February 1, inquiries should be directed to visasphp@state.gov.

Please note that the return of immigrant visa processing to the United States Embassy in Phnom Penh does not affect the U.S. Government moratorium on processing orphan immigrant visas (IR3 and IR4). The Phnom Penh Embassy Consular Section cannot process orphan immigrant visa applications until the moratorium is lifted.

Released December 22, 2006."

I presently have a case pending for a Cambodian wife and I am waiting for the generation of the DS-230. The NVC keeps the 6-8 weeks before that happens. I wonder if it is because of this 1 month transistion period?

This is good news for us, the change that is. Now I just need to seen more movement on our paperwork..

Enjoy