Resctrictions for new B1/B2 Non immigrant tourist visa

[reco816 2]

Hello,

 

I understand there is a suspension of processing of B1/B2 non immigrant tourist visas to come to the US. Is this correct?

 

Also if this is correct. Does anyone know how to find out the time frame of this?

 

Also does it make sense to go ahead and make application anyway so when they do open up applications again?

 

Thanks,

 

 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

No one knows the time frame. You can always apply. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Official notice. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-routine-visa-services.html
Check also your local US embassy website for local details. 

 

[reco816 2]

Thanks this is helpful.

[reco816 2]

It appears after doing some checking that in some countries such as Russia. That they do have flights ready to book coming from Russia to the US. And they are from several airlines. And they will book them for you and take your money. But no one is approved to travel internationally yet. Not the airlines or the passengers.

 

I believe it would be good for everyone to know this. And to proceed with caution when making a reservation.

 

I even called a major online travel agent. And I asked them if they had flights scheduled does this mean that travel will be allowed. And he kind of hedged on what he said. He said well if there is a flight then it is approved. Then when I checked further I found out he was full of S****. And that he was probalby just trying to get the booking. So much for advice from an online travel agent.

 

Anyone have any other experiences or thoughts I would love to hear it.

 

I know several countries in Europe have announced upcoming international travel, Germany and Czech Republic are two. Does anyone know of any others? Maybe we can share information with each other? This could become useful for all of us on what the latest is?

 

Thanks,

[reco816 2]

To continue with a bit of more accurate information I found this site that appears to actually being updated daily. It may be helpful as a resource to folks here. It is showing travel restrictions as they change on a daily basis.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/coronavirus-travel-update-which-countries-can-you-go-to-and-which-are-closed/ar-BB11gKfH

 

If someone has a better or more accurate resource please let us know. This whole COVID exercise is a real adventure in itself.

[Mollie09 1,543]

Airlines are not responsible for immigration documents, passengers are.

There are many people who are allowed to travel to the US from anywhere, US citizens, LPRs, children of citizens, etc. They can take the flights even if tourist visas are not being processed.

[reco816 2]

Thanks Mollie for the information. Unfortunately  none of those categories help me. lol

 

By the way very good on your tag line. Thats what governments do. It helps them maintain power.

[reco816 2]

It looks like we are still not seeing any movement on opening border for Americans to leave. Does anyone know of any other resource for information on when this might change?

[Just Paul 4,595]

On 6/2/2020 at 6:43 AM, reco816 said:

Also does it make sense to go ahead and make application anyway so when they do open up applications again?

You can apply and pay the fee.   You then have a year to get the interview done.   Once you have the visa then there is no guarantee you can leave. 

 

If you get to the US there is no guarantee of admission.  (This is same for a visitor to any country)

 

A visa just gives you permission to travel to a country and ask for admission.

[reco816 2]

Paul thanks for your explanation. I appreciate it.

 

Another question.

 

I was looking at your progression for getting your wife to the USA. This was very quick. From marriage to SS# was only 7 months. That is incredible. Is this because you went through Mexico?

[Just Paul 4,595]

41 minutes ago, reco816 said:

I was looking at your progression for getting your wife to the USA. This was very quick. From marriage to SS# was only 7 months. That is incredible. Is this because you went through Mexico?

We were able to use the DCF option because we were both residents of Mexico and the USCIS still was processing I-130s there without the need for exceptional circumstances.  We paid the immigrant visa fee before entering the US and selected not to have a SSN done automatically on the DS-260.

 

We tried to get her Mexican Visa in Manilla but they did not know how to do it and were not interested in helping.  She got a permanent resident visa for Mexico, in 5 hours, in one day, when we were back in Hong Kong.  Talk about 2 totally different experiences.   It cost $37.   They did require much deeper financial documents tho and we both got interviewed seperately. Ok - that was also 2 totally different experiences compared to the US.   It took 6 weeks and about $500 to get her Mexican green card.  We had to get our marriage certificate translated into Spanish, pay a fee and paid an agent to help us with the follow thru as the immigration office was 500 miles away.

 

I'm kind of OCD so I did check to see if there were appointment cancellations.  I was able to move the appointment up by 3 months.   Then the day the consulate sent the visa to the DHL location 60 miles from us the road was washed out by a flood.  So we did get a little delay there

 

[reco816 2]

So in the future planning this could be a good workaround to the normal USCIS processing as a US resident.

 

I am considering the Mexican option or another country like Panama or Costa Rica anyway.

 

Wow. Thats really cool. You probably shaved 15 to 20 months off the entire process.

 

I am not familiar with the I-130 process in Mexico that you mentioned. I would have to get to know this a lot better. To see if its still an option.