US Embassies can now process more visas

[Dustin725 72]

UPDATE JUNE 17th:
Routine visas services have been suspended at U.S. posts worldwide, but as resources allow, embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services.  Mission-critical immigrant visa categories may include applicants who may be eligible for an exception under this presidential proclamation, such as: IR/CR1, IR/CR2, IR/IH-3, IR/IH-4, SQ, SI, and certain employment-based medical professionals, as well as cases involving an applicant who may age out.  While embassies and consulates may process these types of cases, their ability to do so may be limited by local government restrictions and available resources.  In addition, an applicant’s ability to travel may be impacted by local laws, regulations, and travel restrictions

So it seems visa services will resume for these visa categories. US Embassy in Jamaica has already confirmed they will be scheduling interviews for IR1/IR2 and CR1/CR2 beginning next week. Source is their official Facebook page. 
 

 

sources: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/Proclamation-Suspending-Entry-of-Immigrants-Who-Present-Risk-to-the-US-labor-market.html

 

https://m.facebook.com/USEmbassyJamaica/

Edited June 18, 2020 by Dustin725

[Aly123 84]

So I guess that means K1 visas are left out again. Even though technically K1 visas were a part of the exception for the presidential proclamation, but that probably won’t matter. 
 

 

“embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services.  Mission-critical immigrant visa categories may include applicants who may be eligible for an exception under this presidential proclamation, such as: IR/CR1, IR/CR2, IR/IH-3, IR/IH-4, SQ, SI, and certain employment-based medical professionals, as well as cases involving an applicant who may age out”

[JacobP 185]

32 minutes ago, Aly123 said:

So I guess that means K1 visas are left out again. Even though technically K1 visas were a part of the exception for the presidential proclamation, but that probably won’t matter. 

 

 

“embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services.  Mission-critical immigrant visa categories may include applicants who may be eligible for an exception under this presidential proclamation, such as: IR/CR1, IR/CR2, IR/IH-3, IR/IH-4, SQ, SI, and certain employment-based medical professionals, as well as cases involving an applicant who may age out”

Probably because K-1s weren't even included in the proclamation in the first place. I really hope they'll reconsider making K-1s "mission critical" soon, if they're not considered a "such as" case here. But it's great to see that they're going to allow spousal visas to continue along at least.

[TiEy 69]

K1 has been forgotten by everybody. The EO was für Immigrant visas but K1 which is in the non-immigrant category gets ignored. I really do not know what to think anymore.

[JBF 116]

It’s honestly ridiculous that, once again, K1s are not considered. We have been waiting for months as well, and we are not less valuable than any other type of visa. I’m truly disappointed, but whatever. 

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

We all need to understand that K1 is a hybrid visa. it is non immigrant but with migration intent...By the standards of migration K1's are recognized as spouse of US citizens. As to being a hybrid visa it can be confusing most time to which category it belongs to. For those of us that watched the US embassy in Jamaica facebook live chat yesterday, the question of K1 was raised again and the lady answered that K1's will be processed!

[JBF 116]

58 minutes ago, Sparkle Sparkle said:

We all need to understand that K1 is a hybrid visa. it is non immigrant but with migration intent...By the standards of migration K1's are recognized as spouse of US citizens. As to being a hybrid visa it can be confusing most time to which category it belongs to. For those of us that watched the US embassy in Jamaica facebook live chat yesterday, the question of K1 was raised again and the lady answered that K1's will be processed!

When did they say this? 
Because K1s are not even exempt from the Schengen travel ban, which is in my opinion absolutely absurd. 

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

11 minutes ago, JBF said:

When did they say this? 
Because K1s are not even exempt from the Schengen travel ban, which is in my opinion absolutely absurd. 

watch the video between 
17:00 ---18:15

Edited June 18, 2020 by Sparkle Sparkle

[Kate.Alday 113]

2 hours ago, Sparkle Sparkle said:

We all need to understand that K1 is a hybrid visa. it is non immigrant but with migration intent...By the standards of migration K1's are recognized as spouse of US citizens. As to being a hybrid visa it can be confusing most time to which category it belongs to. For those of us that watched the US embassy in Jamaica facebook live chat yesterday, the question of K1 was raised again and the lady answered that K1's will be processed!

Maybe they will process but exactly not now. Only spouses and children under 21 of US citizens. 

[Kate.Alday 113]

This is written on official site of USA in Poland: 

 

The Embassy is currently processing immigrant visa cases for the spouses and children of U.S. Citizens (visa classes IR-1, CR-1, IR-2, and CR-2) only.  We can only process children of U.S. citizens if they are currently under the age of 21.  We are in the process of contacting those applicants whose original visa appointments were cancelled and who are now eligible for processing.  With the exception of certain emergencies, the Embassy is not currently processing any other classes of immigrant and diversity visas.  Please consult our Frequently Asked Questions regarding rescheduling of appointments and the applicability of exceptions for certain travelers, as well as how these restrictions impact citizens of Belarus.  Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for information relating to tourist/business (category B1/B2) visas, student visas (categories F and M), exchange visas (category J) and work visas (categories H, L, O, P and R).

[Louis61404 133]

Glad to see this - great news

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

5 hours ago, TiEy said:

K1 has been forgotten by everybody. The EO was für Immigrant visas but K1 which is in the non-immigrant category gets ignored. I really do not know what to think anymore.

I totally understand your frustration as we went the k1 route (and wouldn't have changed it any other way) but if you look at it from a processing standpoint a CR/IR1 is one and done. Once they have the approval at the embassy they come to the US and the green card gets sent to them (no other petition/application needed) and they are good for a minimum 2 years and in other cases 10 years; plus these people can work ASAP. For a K1- once you have your approval at the embassy and arrive in the US there are multiple other steps needed for a green card which takes time to process. If USCIS is planning on laying off people (even if they don't they have had minimum people working) then they have limited workforce to then process these adjustment of status', advanced parole and work authorizations that K1's file. It will continue to pile up their workload making things significantly slower , the backlog getting worse and having a slew of people that are unable to work (K1s) as well. You may not like the response (and I wouldn't as well in your shoes) but looking at it this way it DOES make sense. 

[Dougefresh56 201]

14 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

I totally understand your frustration as we went the k1 route (and wouldn't have changed it any other way) but if you look at it from a processing standpoint a CR/IR1 is one and done. Once they have the approval at the embassy they come to the US and the green card gets sent to them (no other petition/application needed) and they are good for a minimum 2 years and in other cases 10 years; plus these people can work ASAP. For a K1- once you have your approval at the embassy and arrive in the US there are multiple other steps needed for a green card which takes time to process. If USCIS is planning on laying off people (even if they don't they have had minimum people working) then they have limited workforce to then process these adjustment of status', advanced parole and work authorizations that K1's file. It will continue to pile up their workload making things significantly slower , the backlog getting worse and having a slew of people that are unable to work (K1s) as well. You may not like the response (and I wouldn't as well in your shoes) but looking at it this way it DOES make sense. 

I don't want to be rude. But its easy for you to say that you are not separated from your loved one. So as much "sense" as it makes dont wag the finger at other people for being frustrated.

Edited June 18, 2020 by Dougefresh56

[SETETA 204]

Vietnam has updated their page too https://vn.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/: 

 

 Partial Resumption of Immigrant Visa Processing: Beginning Monday June 29, the Consulate will conduct interviews for IR-1, IR-2, CR-1 and CR-2 immigrant visa applicants who had appointments scheduled in March, April and May that were canceled because of COVID-19. Please visit this page to make a reschedule appointment. Please note that currently we are only allowed to interview these four categories; if applicants for other immigrant visa categories make appointments, they will be canceled. Also note that at this time, we are only allowed to issue IR-2 and CR-2 visas to applicants who are under 21 years of age.

* For all immigrant visa applicants other than IR-1, IR-2, CR-1 and CR-2, the Consulate is not conducting routine visa appointments. Please click here to request consideration for an emergency appointment. We will resume routine interviewing as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. We will post instructions for rescheduling interviews for applicants who missed previously scheduled appointments because of COVID-19 cancellations.

* Previously Issued Visas and Visa Renewals: If you already have a U.S. immigrant visa that has not expired, you may still use it to immigrate to the United States. If your immigrant visa has expired due to factors beyond your control, please contact our office here for instructions on how to renew it; there is a fee, and you will need to undergo a new medical examination. Note that we presently cannot renew visas in categories suspended by President Trump’s April 22 Proclamation.

[In4theJourney 171]

Total bs...