Update from Nvc advising Ghana Embassy closed??

[sweetk328 26]

I am so hoping this was a mistake. On July 2nd 2021 I sent an expeditated for my fathers funeral. I received an email just a few min ago that states: 

 

Dear Sir/Madam:

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the assigned U.S. Embassy or Consulate General has suspended visa services. We are unable to forward your expedite request to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General for review. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate General will resume visa services as soon as possible but cannot provide a specific date.

Please continue working with NVC to prepare your case.

For the most up-to-date information about the U.S. Embassy's or Consulate General’s operating status, please visit the Embassy or Consulate website at http://usembassy.gov.

You may wish to resubmit your request once the Embassy or Consulate resumes routine services.

 

Regards,

 

National Visa Center

 

 

I so hope this is a mistake, suspended again due to Covid? #######, they are in a level 1 advisory and there are no restrictions! Has anyone heard anything about this? I'm on hold with Nvc now... this ####### is just to much! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[N&M's 1]

first, very sorry for your loss. 

 

re: the message you received I sure hope not.  Keep us posted! 

[sweetk328 26]

On 7/13/2021 at 11:37 AM, N&M's said:

first, very sorry for your loss. 

 

re: the message you received I sure hope not.  Keep us posted! 

Thank you for your condolences! I just got off the phone with Nvc and he stated that is correct. They where notified this week that they have suspended ALL visa interviews due to Covid! Like what, huh, really????  How in the world that is going to help reduce the back log as they claim on the embassies site, it's  just backwards as ####! Hopefully some dummy that did not know better contacted NVC with that information. I hope its all still a HUGE mistake, but what GOD has joined together let no man, nvc or embassy put asunder. I'm planning a trip to Ghana in September to be with my husband for a month!  They may slow his process coming to me down, but they sure in heck can't stop me from going to him!!!  Dang immigration! UGH

Edited July 18, 2021 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove alternate spelling of profanity

[Pinkrlion 2,723]

The new strain and increased cases in countries that have limited or no vaccine has caused the embassies to close again.

[sweetk328 26]

1 hour ago, Pinkrlion said:

The new strain and increased cases in countries that have limited or no vaccine has caused the embassies to close again.

Thank you for your response. That would make sense if the whole country was shutting businesses down again but as of now, there are no Covid restrictions in Accra. Expect the Embassy? Looks like another political move with Covid as the excuse, just doesn't make sense. If Covid was such an issue, she would not be out there planting trees in the community, giving seminar's left and right for education. Offering classes and opening Domino's pizzas and inaugurating a new direct flight to Ghana, but due to Covid you've suspended all visa services...just stupid and doesn't make sense. But it is what it is, I've learnt that dealing with immigration. they can slow him down but can but I'm free to travel and will do so, planning my trip now  

[pushbrk 12,898]

22 minutes ago, sweetk328 said:

Thank you for your response. That would make sense if the whole country was shutting businesses down again but as of now, there are no Covid restrictions in Accra. Expect the Embassy? Looks like another political move with Covid as the excuse, just doesn't make sense. If Covid was such an issue, she would not be out there planting trees in the community, giving seminar's left and right for education. Offering classes and opening Domino's pizzas and inaugurating a new direct flight to Ghana, but due to Covid you've suspended all visa services...just stupid and doesn't make sense. But it is what it is, I've learnt that dealing with immigration. they can slow him down but can but I'm free to travel and will do so, planning my trip now  

You seem to be confusing local government restrictions with actions taken by the US Department of State.  While the wisdom of this decision may well be arguable, the argument is futile.

[nastra30 2,287]

55 minutes ago, sweetk328 said:

Thank you for your response. That would make sense if the whole country was shutting businesses down again but as of now, there are no Covid restrictions in Accra. Expect the Embassy? Looks like another political move with Covid as the excuse, just doesn't make sense. If Covid was such an issue, she would not be out there planting trees in the community, giving seminar's left and right for education. Offering classes and opening Domino's pizzas and inaugurating a new direct flight to Ghana, but due to Covid you've suspended all visa services...just stupid and doesn't make sense. But it is what it is, I've learnt that dealing with immigration. they can slow him down but can but I'm free to travel and will do so, planning my trip now  

Sorry for loss, and I can understand the frustration with the immigration process. But the decision to suspend visa businesses are at the sole discretion of the US govt. Nothing to do with what's or what's not happening locally in Accra. What's happening locally in Accra is up to Ghana govt, what's happening in US Embassy is up to the US govt. Hopefully, things get better for all of us.

[Mskallen328 0]

3 minutes ago, nastra30 said:

Sorry for loss, and I can understand the frustration with the immigration process. But the decision to suspend visa businesses are at the sole discretion of the US govt. Nothing to do with what's or what's not happening locally in Accra. What's happening locally in Accra is up to Ghana govt, what's happening in US Embassy is up to the US govt. Hopefully, things get better for all of us.

Thank you for your condolences… one thing I’ve learned dealing with this process ….my thoughts and concerns really don’t matter. We will continue to wait as we have no choice. Luckily I’m blessed to work from home and have a job where I can travel for a short time. I will just make a trip to Ghana , spend some time with him… that is the airline’s don’t change their policy and continue waiting as we have been doing for 2 years. I know this doesn’t just affect me and I agree.. I hope change for the better is coming for us all 😉

[JeanneAdil 6,511]

so sorry for your loss 

many embassies are closed (suspended) for tourist visa and they did not take the expedite request for your IR1

but not closed for  immigrant visa services although they are slow to schedule interviews because of back log

 

I am so sorry this has been a long heartbreaking ordeal for the 2 of u because of covid

but if they do not approve the expedite ,  they leave u with the wait for his interview with all the rest 

 

your other post said this is your father and you want your husband here for the funeral (29th of June)

Father was flown back with your daughter for disinternment and funeral home is waiting on your husband's arrival to bury

You have the support of your daughter and all family here in US and yes,   we all want our spouse near us when tragedy happens but it can't always be so

 

Again i am so sorry

 

 

 

 

[Pinkrlion 2,723]

8 hours ago, sweetk328 said:

Thank you for your response. That would make sense if the whole country was shutting businesses down again but as of now, there are no Covid restrictions in Accra. Expect the Embassy? Looks like another political move with Covid as the excuse, just doesn't make sense. If Covid was such an issue, she would not be out there planting trees in the community, giving seminar's left and right for education. Offering classes and opening Domino's pizzas and inaugurating a new direct flight to Ghana, but due to Covid you've suspended all visa services...just stupid and doesn't make sense. But it is what it is, I've learnt that dealing with immigration. they can slow him down but can but I'm free to travel and will do so, planning my trip now  

I understand, but Ghana and US think differently in regards to safety from COVID.  All embassies are making the same decisions as the staff is vacccinated but the residents are not. 

[M&D2021 44]

9 hours ago, Pinkrlion said:

All embassies are making the same decisions as the staff is vacccinated but the residents are not. 

I'm not sure it is true that all embassies are making the same decisions. Some embassies seem to still be opening and conducting interviews, while others aren't. I understand the OP's frustration as we are told that the mRNA vaccines, which is what I believe all embassy staff have received, are 94% effective, yet some embassies are shutting down on the pretext of COVID. If they are worried about applicants getting infected, they can space interviews far apart and clean between interviews. A slow trickle of interviews is certainly better than none.

[SalishSea 17,836]

8 hours ago, M&D2021 said:

I'm not sure it is true that all embassies are making the same decisions. Some embassies seem to still be opening and conducting interviews, while others aren't. I understand the OP's frustration as we are told that the mRNA vaccines, which is what I believe all embassy staff have received, are 94% effective, yet some embassies are shutting down on the pretext of COVID. If they are worried about applicants getting infected, they can space interviews far apart and clean between interviews. A slow trickle of interviews is certainly better than none.

They are using aggregate local data on COVID infections to make these decisions.  Yes, embassy personnel may well be vaccinated, but it is still a global pandemic, and not all countries have adhered to WHO recommendations or been able to implement a widespread quarantine or vaccination program.

[M&D2021 44]

10 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

They are using aggregate local data on COVID infections to make these decisions.  Yes, embassy personnel may well be vaccinated, but it is still a global pandemic, and not all countries have adhered to WHO recommendations or been able to implement a widespread quarantine or vaccination program.

I get all of that. I just personally don't agree that they should be stopping all services. There are ways to safely operate despite the risk. Anyway, my opinion doesn't matter since they are going to do whatever they are going to do. But as a taxpayer, I disagree with their approach.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.