The US Embassy in Cairo has decided to suspend visa services until further notice due to what it called “current security concerns.” It expressed regret for any inconvenience the caused by the delay for people wishing to visit the US or immigrate there. It said immigration services would resume when conditions permit. According to a statement distributed by the embassy, visa applications of non-immigrants and immigrants who were interviewed before 27 January, 2011, are being processed as usual. The applicants in this category whose requests are subject to normal administrative procedures should check the embassy's website for more information. The embassy added that it is possible for applicants who need to travel to the United States before the full resumption of visa services in Cairo to ask for a non-immigrant visa at any US embassy or consulate abroad. He noted that the embassy plans to resume work soon for a limited number of immigration visas for spouses and children of US citizens. Applicants from these groups who had previously scheduled interviews will be contacted to reschedule their appointments. Personal interviews will be scheduled from now until 31 March for applicants who are applying to be randomly selected this year for immigration to America. The Visa Section will contact them to reschedule their appointments. The Department of Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo is currently open for emergency services for American citizens from 9AM to 12PM Sunday through Thursday. The embassy expects to return to fixed hours for non-emergency services in the near future if security conditions permit. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
