Coronavirus: US Embassy in India cancels all visa appointments from March 16

In light of the COVID-19 scare, the US Embassy and Consulates in India have cancelled all visa appointments starting from today, March 16, 2020.

As per the notice issued by the US Embassy in India, applicants will be able to reschedule once the regular consular operation starts and appointments are made available. The notice also maintained that the US Embassy in India and its consulates will, however, provide only essential services to US citizens, and limited emergency visa service. Regarding this, the US Embassy in India tweeted, “In light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, are cancelling immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments from March 16, 2020, onward. Your visa appointment stands as cancelled. Once Mission India resumes regular consular operations, appointments will be made available and you will be able to reschedule.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump declared a state of national emergency on Friday. He ordered every state to set up emergency operation centers with immediate effect. The President also mentioned that states and territories would be given access to up to USD 50 billion in federal funds to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

In another advisory issued by the US Embassy in New Delhi, visitors have been cautioned that the government has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus; therefore, travellers should be prepared for travel restrictions that will likely come into effect with little or no advance notice.
Meanwhile, the Central Government on March 13 suspended visas for all till April 15. Further, Schengen countries like the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia are also not accepting visa applications in India because of the virus outbreak.