Less Applicants Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Mellissa Sandoval

With consular activities resuming, are there any new changes to existing procedures that applicants must be aware of?

Mellissa Sandoval, Vice Consul, U.S. Embassy

“So generally speaking, in alignment with the local conditions and our alignment with the C.D.C., what we have been doing is reducing the number of applicants who appear in person to maintain social distancing and other safety measures.  So naturally we haven’t been able to receive the same number of applicants as we have in previous years.  So this is why initiatives like the expansion of the interview waiver program are so important, so that we are able to address the need of applicants without coming into the embassy per se.  They can simply drop off their documents if they’re eligible and meet the requirements for the waiver program.”