Key Takeaways

• The U.S. Embassy in Manila resumed all routine visa services, prioritizing urgent travel and specific categories but facing interview delays.
• In Mexico, certain nonimmigrant visas expired within 48 months may qualify for interview waivers, with emergency appointments available for urgent cases.
• In Sudan, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum remains closed due to violence, requiring applicants to consult the U.S. State Department.

The global coronavirus pandemic forced U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to halt many routine services. Now, with restrictions loosened, most locations have resumed services for immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas, though backlogs and delays persist in some areas. Below is a detailed breakdown of the current status of U.S. visa services across select countries as of February 2025, along with specific updates on application processes and other relevant considerations.

Global U.S. Visa Services Status (Updated February 2025)

Legend:

• ✅ Fully Resumed: All or most services available
• ⚠️ Limited Services: Some restrictions or significant delays
• 🚫 Suspended/Closed: No services available

Note: This information is subject to change. Please verify current status with the respective embassy or consulate websites.

Philippines 🇵🇭

The U.S. Embassy in Manila has restarted all routine visa services. Interviews for some visa types may take longer than they did before the pandemic. However, priority is being given to urgent travel cases and particular visa categories. More information is available on the embassy’s official site.

Mexico 🇲🇽

Nonimmigrant visas are actively being processed at the U.S. Embassy and various consulates throughout Mexico, though interview appointment wait times remain extended. Certain applicants with visas that expired in the past 48 months may qualify for an interview waiver. Routine appointments for non-residents are limited. For K-1 fiancée/fiancé visas, interviews are scheduled based on document completion through the National Visa Center (NVC). If you face urgent circumstances, emergency appointments are available upon request through the official guidance.

The U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez has conducted thousands of visa interviews since restoring normal operations. Interviews for immigrant visas continue to be actively processed, and application fees were increased mid-year in 2023.

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

While the U.S. Embassy and Consulates throughout the U.K. have resumed routine visa services, significant backlogs mean appointments remain hard to secure. Unfortunately, inquiries via email or phone regarding appointment availability cannot be accommodated at this time.

Israel 🇮🇱

A new visa service provider was introduced by U.S. Embassy Jerusalem and the Branch Office Tel Aviv on November 11, 2024. Services for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas have been reduced, and delays or cancellations are being communicated directly to affected applicants. For applicants with emergencies, expedited visa services continue to be offered, and it is possible to apply at U.S. embassies or consulates in nearby countries. An interview waiver may apply to nonimmigrant visa renewals if the visa expired within the past 48 months.

Dominican Republic 🇩🇴

In Santo Domingo, the U.S. Embassy switched to a new appointment scheduling tool in September 2024, streamlining the visa process. Visa applicants can now pay fees and arrange appointments through the updated online system. All immigrant visa categories are actively being interviewed, and in-person interviews for tourist visas resumed for applicants who missed appointments in 2020. To address high demand, new tourist visa appointments open every Wednesday morning, though supply remains limited.

Thailand 🇹🇭

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate General Chiang Mai have resumed routine visa services for both immigrant and nonimmigrant categories. However, applicants should expect delays due to backlogs caused by the pandemic. The mail-in renewal program is another option available. For immigrant visas, applicants who fail to provide all the necessary documentation during interviews will be required to reschedule. Furthermore, the CDC introduced a rule on November 29, 2023, requiring immigrant visa applicants to receive a COVID-19 vaccine within 12 months prior to their medical evaluation.

Sudan 🇸🇩

Due to ongoing violence, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum remains closed. Travelers and visa applicants should consult the U.S. State Department for further guidance.

Brazil 🇧🇷

Routine nonimmigrant visa appointments have resumed at U.S. missions in Brazil, while all immigrant visas are processed by the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro. The embassy reports long waiting times for available appointments, though national interest exceptions are no longer required to enter the U.S.

Cuba 🇨🇺

The U.S. Embassy in Havana resumed full processing of immigrant visas in 2023, including certain temporary work and exchange program visas. Nonimmigrant visa services remain limited, and many Cuban applicants pursuing B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas must apply at other U.S. locations. The embassy now supports visa interviews for categories such as temporary workers, exchange visitors, and cultural participants.

Nigeria 🇳🇬

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has fully resumed immigrant visa processing across all categories but prioritizes specific cases like spouses or children of U.S. citizens. Nonimmigrant visa renewals may not require in-person interviews for certain categories. Starting January 2025, applicants must make two visits to the Consulate General in Lagos—first for document review and second for the actual interview. A new appointment system introduced in 2024 aims to make the process smoother.

Colombia 🇨🇴

Routine visa services, including immigrant and nonimmigrant categories, are active again at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá.

India 🇮🇳

While the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai has reopened for all immigrant visa applications, nonimmigrant visa services remain limited across U.S. locations in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. Applicants are advised to plan for delays as operations continue to recover.

China 🇨🇳

Routine services have resumed at U.S. embassies and consulates across China, with Guangzhou continuing as the sole center for processing immigrant visas. Staffing shortages will decrease visa capacity for summer 2025 to about half of the previous year’s level. This limitation will further prolong wait times for appointments.

Ukraine 🇺🇦

After opening certain immigrant visa services in March 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has expanded to include K-1 fiancée/fiancé visas and other categories. They now process limited nonimmigrant visas under categories like H2-B (temporary/seasonal work).

Russia 🇷🇺

All immigrant visa processing for Russian residents has been redirected to Warsaw, Poland, after bans on U.S. foreign national staff in Russia. Specific categories, such as IR-5 (parent of a U.S. citizen), have also been transferred to consulates in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Canada 🇨🇦

The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Canada have resumed nearly all services for U.S. citizens and most nonimmigrant visas.

Vietnam 🇻🇳

The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi has restarted all nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services. However, the introduction of a new scheduling system in late 2024 means peak-time delays to accessing the visa application platform can occur.

Indonesia 🇮🇩

Offering all immigrant visa services, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta resumed limited appointments for nonimmigrant visas. New security rules introduced in 2024 require applicants to limit personal belongings brought to the premises. Nonimmigrant applicants needing interpreters must gain prior consular approval.

Lithuania 🇱🇹

Since December 2024, all routine immigrant visa services have been transferred from Vilnius to Stockholm, Sweden. Previously interviewed applicants at Vilnius can have their cases finished within Lithuania, while new applicants must apply in Sweden.

Lebanon 🇱🇧

In Beirut, regular visa processing is back for all categories of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.

U.S. visa services remain in flux but are steadily normalizing. For accurate, country-specific updates, visit the official State Department website: travel.state.gov. As reported by VisaVerge.com, specific backlogs and new regulations may continue to define the visa landscape in 2025, so applicants should prepare for extensions based on their category or region.

Learn Today

Immigrant Visa → A visa allowing someone to live permanently in the U.S., typically processed through family or employment sponsorship.
Nonimmigrant Visa → A temporary visa for purposes like tourism, business, study, or work; does not grant permanent residency.
Interview Waiver → A provision allowing certain visa applicants to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview.
National Visa Center (NVC) → A U.S. State Department agency managing visa case processing, including document review, before interviews are scheduled.
Expedited Visa Services → A faster visa application review process for urgent circumstances, subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria.

This Article in a Nutshell

Securing a U.S. visa remains challenging in 2025 as services resume worldwide. While many embassies offer routine appointments, backlogs persist, and new policies add complexity. Prioritize early applications, leverage interview waivers, and check country-specific updates on travel.state.gov. Patience and preparation are key amid evolving processes for travelers and immigrants alike.
— By VisaVerge.com

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