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Thousands of people planning to travel to the United States are wondering if the recent suspension of appointments for certain immigration procedures will also affect those seeking to obtain or renew a tourist visa.
The concern arose after the United States Department of State announced a temporary pause in immigrant visa appointments worldwide while it trains its consular staff on new procedures.
However, you do not need to worry. The measure is not directed at B1/B2 tourist visas or other non-immigrant visas used for temporary travel.
Therefore, those in Mexico who have an appointment scheduled to request a visa for the first time or to perform a renewal have not been included in the suspension announcement. The suspension focuses on procedures related to permanent residency in the United States.
Which visa appointments were temporarily suspended?
According to information released by the Department of State, appointments for immigrant visas were temporarily adjusted due to a training program for consular officials and employees.
The objective is to implement new review procedures related to the assessment of potential burdens on public assistance programs in the United States.
The agency also noted that when there is a modification to a previously scheduled interview, embassies and consulates notify the affected applicants directly.
According to reports cited by US media, some immigrant visa appointments may have been canceled during the final weeks of August while the training process is concluded.
Is the tourist visa included?
No. The B1/B2 tourist visa is part of the non-immigrant visa category, meaning permits intended for people traveling to the United States for a limited time for activities such as tourism, family visits, shopping, business, or medical treatments.
The Department of State establishes that non-immigrant visas are different from immigrant visas, which are designed for people seeking to move permanently to the United States. So far, the announcement of adjustments to appointments refers only to immigration processes and not to tourist procedures.
Those who have an appointment to process an American visa for the first time or to renew a B1/B2 visa should keep an eye on the official channels of the corresponding embassy or consulate, but there is no general announcement regarding the cancellation of these procedures in Mexico.
Difference between a temporary visa and an immigrant visa
United States visas are divided into two main categories: non-immigrant and immigrant. The main difference lies in the purpose of the trip and the permitted length of stay in the country.
Non-immigrant visas are for temporary stays and include the B1/B2 tourism and business visa, F-1 visas for students, M-1 visas for vocational studies, and H-2A and H-2B visas intended for temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers.
On the other hand, immigrant visas are intended for people seeking to live permanently in the United States and eventually obtain a Green Card. Within this category are visas for family members of citizens or permanent residents, as well as employment visas EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5.
What should applicants in Mexico do?
If your application is for a B1/B2 tourist visa, a renewal, or any other temporary visa, it is highly recommended to regularly check the official appointment system and the email address registered in your application. In the event of any change, the corresponding consular representation will be in charge of communicating it directly.
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