Consular Corner -  Update for November 15, 2005

Holiday Travel: In planning holiday travel abroad, all foreign nationals must ensure that they carefully review their current immigration status and ensure that they have all of the appropriate travel documentation required to return to the United States. If in a non-immigrant status (H-1B, L, O, P, etc.), an individual must have a valid visa stamp in their passport for that category. Advance planning can make the the visa application process at a U.S. consulate abroad smooth and relatively painless. Most visa applicants will be required to have an in person interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Therefore, we suggest that the foreign national carefully review the current visa wait times for information on interview appointments availability and timeline for visa issuance at the appropriate embassy or consulate. In advance of travel, all supporting documentation should be carefully reviewed and the on-line application forms as well as fee payment instructions should be closely followed to avoid delays.

Some Embassies and Consulates will experience significant visa appointment scheduling delays and visa issuance timelines will likely grow exponentially as the holidays near. Additionally, there may be country holidays that will result in additional closures and further limit appointments and personnel availability. Please stay tuned to our website for further updates as they become available!

BORDER POSTS IN CANADA FOR THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS: The only two posts that may still have appointments in December 2005 are Calgary and Halifax. All the other posts are scheduling appointments for late January 2006.

Please consult with your GT attorney for further information.