To discuss your case and schedule a consultation, please feel free to email us at: Michael@mmlawnyc.com or call the office at: (646) 558-3138
Friday , 03-29-2024
Contact Us
IMMIGRANT VISA (GREEN CARD) PROCESSING DELAYS – Immigration Lawyer New York
Home  » Blog  » Permanent Residence (green cards)  » IMMIGRANT VISA (GREEN CARD) PROCESSING DELAYS

Immigration Blog

IMMIGRANT VISA (GREEN CARD) PROCESSING DELAYS

By Michael H. Markovitch, Esq. on June, 21, 2021

After enduring the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year, most U.S. embassies and consulates are not operating at full capacity. Due to limited appointment availability, a significant backlog was created for immigrant (IV) and nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants waiting a visa interview. IVs are for those seeking to come to the United States permanently as a legal permanent resident or green card holder, while NIVs are for those individuals seeking to come to the United States temporarily. The Department of State (DOS) prioritizes serving U.S. citizens abroad, which means that foreign national visa applicants are not a top priority.

 

Among foreign national applicants, the DOS is prioritizing IV applications. However, as of May 2021, there were more than 500,000 IV applications in DOS’s backlog. The pace at which interviews can be scheduled depends on the volume, type of visa, local conditions, and government restrictions on movement and gathering. A reduced number of applicants are processed each day to abide by social distancing and other preventative measures. Once it is safe, routine visa services will resume.

 

U.S. embassies and consulates are also prioritizing the processing of immigrant visa cases previously refused under rescinded Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983, which suspended entry into the United States of certain nationals from Burma, Eritrea, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Nigeria, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela and Yemen.

 

IV applicants who were previously refused due to either P.P. 9645 or 9983 and were determined not to qualify for a waiver before January 20, 2020, may either (1) reapply for a visa by submitting a new visa application (DS-260) and paying a new visa application processing fee or (2) request their local embassy or consulate to reconsider their case within one year of the date of their waiver refusal without submitting a new application or paying a new visa application processing fee.

 

IV applicants who were refused due to either P.P. 9645 or 9983 and whose eligibility for a waiver was still being evaluated as of January 20, 2021, will continue to have their applications processed and prioritized.

 

 

 

WHAT OUR OFFICE IS DOING

If you have questions regarding this article,  feel free to contact  The Law Offices of Michael H. Markovitch contact our office at Information@mmlawnyc.com or (212) 947-7534.

 

Latest Posts

Recent Changes to Those Applying for Green Cards: An Overview of the New Public Charge Rule

Expediting Processing For Employment Authorization And Advance Parole Documents

Options and Strategies for Green Card Holders Currently Outside the United States Due to COVID-19

Filling Out USCIS Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency

Know Your Rights If You are Detained At A Port of Entry (Greencard Holders)