Consular Corner - Update for January 5, 2006
E Visa Processing in Canada: The U.S. Consulate in Vancouver
began processing E-1 and E-2 visa applications on January 2, 2006.
Previously, the U.S. Consulate in Toronto was the sole Canadian post
that processed E visas.
Relative Petitions (I-130s) at U.S. Embassy and Consulates in
Canada: United States Citizens residing in Canada who are sponsoring
for their spouse, child, or parent, may now file at the nearest U.S.
Embassy or Consulate, with the exception of Quebec City. The U.S.
Consulate in Montreal will process the immigrant visa after the approval
of the immigrant petition. The processing time is approximately four to
five months.
Nonimmigrant Visa Processing at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai:
Nonimmigrant visa appointments were over-scheduled for December 30, 2005
and for the entire month of January 2006. Unfortunately, as the U.S.
Consulate does not have sufficient resources to meet with all scheduled
applicants, some appointments must be rescheduled for February. In an
effort to accommodate the applicants, the Consulate plans to have
Saturday hours on January 7th and 21st and on February 4th, 11th and
25th.
International Travel: In planning international travel, all
foreign nationals must ensure that they carefully review their current
immigration documentation to make sure that they have all of the
appropriate travel documentation required to return to the United
States. If in a non-immigrant status, an individual typically must have
a valid visa in their passport for that category. Advance planning can
make the the visa application process 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 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 have significant visa appointment
scheduling and issuance delays, therefore, advance planning is critical.
BORDER POSTS IN CANADA FOR THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS: The only two
posts that may still have appointments in February 2006 are Calgary and
Vancouver. Ottawa is currently scheduling appointments for March 7,
2006.
PARIS: The earliest appointment date available is February 8, 2006.
SYDNEY: The earliest appointment date available is February 1, 2006.
TOKYO: The earliest appointment date available is January 12, 2006.
Please consult with your GT attorney for further information and
prior to traveling outside the United States.
Posted January 5, 2006
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