Immigrants coming to the United States from Latin American countries represents one of the biggest waves of North-South migration. Due to Covid-19, many of the normal consular processing operations in the past fiscal year have only started to resume at regular capacity, while some are still only limited to emergency appointments. Additionally, some of the effects of the pandemic have led to conflict, rioting, and other forms of violent protests in Latin America—most notably Colombia in the past year.
These factors have led several U.S. consulates in Latin America to remain almost inoperable for some time, affecting both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants. As we get closer to a world, and a Latin America, where more people are being vaccinated and violence has subsided, it is important to know which U.S. consulates have begun to process different types of visas.
In this post, we’ll focus on highlighting operations in several Latin American countries as an update to State Department operations in this region:
Mexico
We previously covered the U.S. consulate and embassy situation in Mexico in this Visa2us post. In most Mexican states, visa operations are running at capacity in both the immigrant and non-immigrant categories.
Colombia
The U.S. Embassy in Bogota has posted a notice that “if you make a regular non-immigrant visa appointment for a future date, it may be cancelled if conditions in Colombia do not allow us to provide services at that time.” However, the embassy is processing non-immigrant visas currently for F,M, and J exchange student visas. The embassy is also processing routine immigrant visas per the State Department’s immigrant prioritization order.
Brazil
For those in Brazil, the State Department has posted a memo that all U.S. embassy and consulates in Brazil will resume routine non-immigrant visa appointments beginning November 8th, 2021. This is also the date the U.S. will implement its new international travel vaccine protocol. After this date, the NIE—National Interest Exception will also no longer be required for those seeking to travel to the U.S.
Guatemala
Guatemala is currently lagging behind in vaccination rates and its handling of the pandemic, and therefore the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City remains unable to resume all routine nonimmigrant visa services currently. However, the embassy is currently processing student exchange visas, diplomatic visas, renewal of B1/B2 visas, as well as H2 temporary employment visas where applicants are eligible for a waiver of the interview requirement.
Peru
The U.S. embassy in Lima is still experiencing limited operational capacity due to Covid-19 in the country. As such, non-immigrant visa appointment availability remains is at a very low level. In addition, in-person interview appointments may be cancelled at any time and rescheduled at a later time. However, for those applicants who are renewing a visa, such as B1/B2, J-1, or H2 visa and don’t need an appointment, the embassy is processing renewals with approximately a 10 week waiting period.
