Worldwide suspension of U.S. consular appointments on October 9

U.S. consulates worldwide will be closed on Friday, October 9, while the State Department upgrades its computer systems.  Visa appointments on that date will be rescheduled.  

Visa applicants affected by the closure should be contacted by the relevant consulate to reschedule their interview.  Applicants should also check the consulate’s website and online appointment system for information about rescheduling.

Emergency services are expected to be available on October 9.

What This Means for Employers and Visa Applicants

Employers and affected visa applicants should be prepared for travel delays due to the appointment suspension. Once the State Department completes its technical upgrades, applicants could see slowdowns in visa issuance while agency systems come back online.