Planning That U.S. Holiday? Hold On Because The U.S. Embassy In UAE Has Paused Appointments – Here’s Why

If you’ve got the type of passport that requires you to apply for a visa to pretty much most countries then you know the stress I’m talking about. Collecting documents, booking appointments, waiting in endless queues, and all for the possibility of your visa to get rejected (face palm). If the U.S. is currently on your list of countries you need to get a visa for, you may have to hold on for a while. The U.S. mission in UAE announced that the embassy is putting visa appointments on pause for a period of time. Come with me, and I’ll share all the important details you need to know.

Also read: How Much Cash Can You Travel In & Out Of UAE With As An Indian?

What Services Have Been Paused?

The US Embassy and Consulate in the UAE will pause new visa appointment bookings and fee payments from May 15 to May 29. This short break is because they’re switching over to a new service provider that will handle the visa process going forward. So, if you’ve been meaning to start the process or haven’t yet paid your visa fee, you’ll need to wait until after the break.

What If You Already Have An Appointment During This Time?

Good news! If you’ve already scheduled your non-immigrant or immigrant visa interview before May 19, your appointment is still valid. You should attend as planned, and there’s no need to reschedule unless you’ve been told to do so otherwise.

What Will Be New After The Pause?

So, now the big question we are left with is what’s Coming on May 30? The embassy will launch its new visa system on May 30. Once it’s live, you’ll be able to:

Access visa-related info
Pay visa application fees
Book or reschedule appointments
Register for document delivery services

This new system aims to make the process smoother and more user-friendly.

Need An Emergency Appointment?

If something urgent comes up and you need a visa appointment during the break, there is still help available. Visit the official US Embassy UAE website to learn how to request an emergency appointment.