| concerned |
Posted
on 19-Nov-01 05:05 PM
STATE DEPARTMENT SUSPENDS THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONAL VISA PROCESSING IN
CANADA AND MEXICO
The U.S. State Department has announced that, effective November 19,
2001, it will suspend the use of the Third-Country National nonimmigrant
visa appointment system for applying for nonimmigrant visas at U.S.
Embassies and Consulates in Canada and Mexico. This includes the 1-900
phone number and the www.nvars.com web system.
*The suspension of TCN visa processing applies to nationals of ALL
countries. *
Individuals who have made appointments through this system will be
notified that they should postpone their travel until INS policy on the
Automatic Revalidation of Visa policy is clarified.
Given the number of students who have asked about applying for U.S.
entry visa stamps in Canada, or who have wanted to use Automatic
Revalidation of Visa provisions in the law for trips to Canada, Mexico,
or adjacent islands for less than 30 days (and thus not have to apply
for a new U.S. Entry Visa Stamp during that trip), this is a SIGNIFICANT
change in policy.
While the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service has not officially
changed its policy, this notice by the State Department causes the ISSO
to warn students to NOT travel to Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands
UNLESS you have a valid U.S. Entry Visa Stamp in your passport to return
to the U.S.
The State Department has stated the reason for this advisory is its
concern that the INS may now suspend the Automatic Revalidation of Visa
for any foreign national, thus greatly increasing the number of visa
applications at consular posts in Canada and Mexico.
The State Department has advised that it hopes to release an update soon
regarding the verification of both State Department and INS policies for
visa issuance in Canada and Mexico, as well as Automatic Revalidation of
Visa, prior to the Winter Holiday period.
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