Visa services at US Embassy cancelled until further notice

Visa services at the Embassy of the United States of America in Bridgetown, Barbados have been cancelled until further notice.

A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in St Vincent said that the cancellation is in light of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic affecting countries worldwide.

It also said that the Embassy has implemented several changes in order to minimise exposure.

“Effective March 18, 2020, the United States Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados is cancelling all routine non-immigrant and immigrant visa appointments,” the release said.

The Embassy has also limited visa processing to cases not requiring a personal appearance such as government and diplomatic visas and categories already entitled to the intervene waiver. This affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing.

The release also said that the Consular Section at the Embassy will also consider emergency requests on a case by case basis.

“The Embassy will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time,” it said. “Please note that the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee remains valid and may be used for a non-immigrant visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.”

The renewal interview waiver (RIW) and the Interview Waiver Programme (IWP) will remain operational.

In the case of urgent matters that require immediate travel on a non-immigrant visa, persons should follow the guidance provided at https://bb.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ or call +1 246 623 9832 or +1 246 623 9833 to request an emergency appointment.​

Persons seeking assistance with an emergency immigrant visa issue should send an e-mail to bridgetowniv@state.gov.

For further information, persons can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Commerce at telephone number 1(784) 456 2060.