Suspension of Routine Visa Services

Yesterday, the United States Department of State issued the statement below temporarily suspending all routine visa appointments. There is no specific timeline for when the suspension will be lifted. American citizens and current visa holders should not be effected.

Duke Visa Services will continue to accept and process Visa document requests for students, scholars and employees so they will be ready when consulates and embassies begin the appointments at a later date.

If you have any questions regarding the pending status of incoming J-1 visa visitors, please contact Duke Visa Services at visahelp@mc.duke.edu. For additional information, visit the Duke Visa Services website. Thank you.

Suspension of Routine Visa Services

US Dept of State:

• In response to worldwide challenges related to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Department of State is suspending routine visa services in most countries worldwide. Embassies and consulates in these countries will cancel all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments as of March 18, 2020. Check the website of the embassy or consulate for its current operating status. As resources allow, embassies and consulates will continue to provide urgent and emergency visa services.
• These Embassies will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. Although all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments are cancelled, the MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa appointment in the country where it was paid within one year of the date of payment.
• This does not affect the visa waiver program.

Services to U.S. citizens continue to be available. More information is available on the Embassy’s website.

• Applicants with an urgent matter and need to travel immediately should follow the guidance provided at the Embassy's website to request an emergency appointment.