Changes to Consular Operations After Embassy Bombings in Africa
Posted Sep 21, 1998
Posts affected include Pakistan and Albania as well as Kenya, Tanzania and Congo (Kinshasa). Visa processing is either limited or completely suspended in Nairobi, Dar Es Salaam, Tirana and Islamabad due to security issues resulting from the Embassy bombings. Furthermore, local unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to a complete closure of the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa. No immigrant visa (IV) processing is being handled at the above posts, except that Pakistan will take "emergency cases" (see below). The other posts listed above will NOT be accepting applications, but certain other posts will be assisting emergency IV applicants for the affected Embassies and Consulates.
Note that Kenya cases include IV applicants from countries formerly served by the Embassy in Nairobi: Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros.
"Emergency" cases include those with urgent humanitarian concerns, including but not limited to :
(a) DV-98 lottery applications for Kenya, Tanzania, former Zaire, Albania
(b) applicants who have current priority dates if the applicant is unmarried and about to turn 21 years of age
(c) orphan adoption cases
(d) fiancée cases, and
(e) urgent family reunification cases (to be determined on a case-by-case basis).
Those IV applicants who believe they meet the emergency criteria should contact the designated post before going there. Applicants should also note that many of these countries may require visas.
The State Department has set forth a detailed list of several posts that are volunteering to accept emergency IV applications. The Law Office of Sheela Murthy would be pleased to assist their clients in determining which post would be appropriate for their cases.
Nonimmigrant Visas (NIV)
Persons who would ordinarily apply in Nairobi, Dar Es Salaam, Kinshasa or Tirana for NIVs can apply at any other post where they are physically present. The U.S. State Department has requested all posts to be helpful to the applicants from the affected countries. NIV applicants do not need to contact posts before traveling.
Pakistan (Islamabad) - Special Instructions :
Only emergency IV cases are currently being accepted. NIV applicants need appointments, except that F and J applicants may walk in between 8 and 10 a.m. Dropbox procedures have not changed.
Clients of the Law Office of Sheela Murthy should determine in advance which post would be appropriate for their NIV or IV application and follow the correct procedures.
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