In today's blog we will be explaining and clarifying certain information that circulated on social networks in recent weeks, regarding immigrant visas and the interview requirement.
At the end of last year, a journalist for a famous Spanish-speaking news network in the United States, made a report explaining a new measure adopted by the State Department regarding the interviews of applicants for immigrant visas. In the report, an immigration lawyer was interviewed, and it was explained that, as of December 13, 2021, applicants for immigrant visas would not have to attend the interview at the consulate of their country, and that their visa would be approved without the need for an interview. The information given in this video, although not false, is incomplete and implies that the procedure for obtaining your immigrant visa has changed, when in reality it has not.
Many of my clients called the office, excited, after so many months of waiting, as this could be an advance for their case. However, the letter of the new measures does not correspond to the explanation given in the report.
On December 13, 2021, the Department of State proclaimed a new rule that allows that, as of this date, and for twenty-four (24) months, at the discretion of the embassy or consular office, certain applicants of immigrant visas may obtain their visa, without the need to attend an interview.
The consulates may, at their discretion, not conduct the interview to those applicants who have been issued a visa after August 4, 2019, to immigrants who are applying for an immigrant visa in the same classification and based on the same petition of the previous visa; to applicants in the same classification of the previous visa but that is converted due to the death or naturalization of the petitioner; and / or to those applicants whose eligibility has not changed.
As can be seen, this measure is aimed at conserving the resources of the embassies and consulates, but only for those applicants who have already carried out an interview, and who have an approved visa, but which has expired and has not been used. This rule does not apply to immigrants whose family petitions have been approved, but are still pending their initial interview appointment, or those applicants who have not attended an interview before. For these applicants the process continues to be the same. For more information on how the process works, you can visit our blog and our YouTube channel.
Unfortunately, US embassies and consulates around the world are behind on interview appointments, due to their closure during the first months of the pandemic, and since they are working with limited staff.
If you need help with your immigration case, don't hesitate to call us. The experience of the attorneys at Y. Morejon Attorney, P.A. on immigration issues, it could be of great benefit to resolve your case. The first consultation is free. In Y. Morejon Attorney, P.A. your problem is our problem.
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