Coronavirus and China travel restrictions while in Administrative Processing

[Ryan P 0]

Hi all,

 

I'm writing to ask for advice. I went back home to China for my H1B visa appointment just when the novel coronavirus outbreak was beginning and little was known about it. My visa has been in administrative processing and the US embassy has been closed ever since. The embassy has announced that it has suspended its visa services due to the Presidential proclamation banning entry of foreign nationals who have spent the past 14 days in China. 

 

I am worried about my case and expected waiting time. The embassy still has my passport and I need the stamp. It doesn't sound like the embassy can issue anything until after the travel restrictions are lifted. I don't know how long these travel restrictions will last either.

 

One option is to withdraw my application from the embassy, go to a third country, wait for 14 days there, and then have another visa appointment in that country. However, I'm not sure how long the withdrawal processing would take if visa services are currently suspended in the embassy. I'm not even sure if this is better than just staying put and hoping that the travel restrictions are lifted soon. What would you do in my case? 

 

I'm worried about how these extenuating circumstances are going to impact me, my application, and my employment. Any input appreciated.

 

[Liam2021 587]

How you can travel to another country when embassy still hold your passport?.

Until the ban has been lifted, nothing you can do.

[Ryan P 0]

2 minutes ago, H&T said:

How you can travel to another country when embassy still hold your passport?.

Until the ban has been lifted, nothing you can do.

The embassy has started to return some passports until they are able to begin processing again. I can also request to have my passport back, or get it back if I try to go the withdrawal route.