US Embassy Halts Visa Services for Transition

The United States Embassy in the United Arab Emirates suspends visa and payment services for two weeks

The United States Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai will temporarily suspend scheduling visa appointments and accepting visa fee payments from May 15 to May 29, 2025. According to the embassy, the two-week suspension is due to the transition to a new visa service provider, which will take effect on May 30.

Transition to a new visa service provider

With the introduction of the new visa service provider, the embassy aims to simplify and modernize the visa application process. The new system will allow applicants easier access to visa-related information, simplify visa fee payments, appointment scheduling, and modification, as well as offer document delivery options.

To prepare for the change, the current visa appointment system will be shut down on May 15, 2025, and from that date, it will no longer be possible to schedule new appointments or pay visa fees.

Important dates and actions

May 15 - May 29: Service interruption

During this period, no new visa appointments can be scheduled, and no visa fees can be paid.

May 30: Launch of the new service provider

Visa processing will resume under the new system from this date, and appointments can again be scheduled, fees paid, and necessary documents submitted to the embassy.

Appointments valid until May 19

All non-immigrant and immigrant visa interviews scheduled before May 19 will remain valid and are not affected by the transition. Applicants must attend their interviews at the scheduled time.

Actions for applicants

The embassy has provided detailed guidance on how visa applicants should prepare for the transition:

1. If you already have a scheduled appointment:

There is nothing you need to do; just attend your appointment at the designated time and location.

2. If you have paid the visa fee but have not yet scheduled an appointment:

Be sure to schedule an appointment before May 19 in the current system: ais.usvisa-info.com.

3. If you have not yet started the visa application process:

Pay the visa fee and schedule an appointment as soon as possible, as the current system will not accept new payments and appointments from May 15.

4. If you have started the process and need to mail documents:

The embassy advises submitting the necessary documents at the designated official locations as early as possible. After May 24, documents will not be accepted.

Exceptional cases: Emergency appointment scheduling

During the transition period, it is possible to schedule emergency appointments, but only in specific cases:

Family emergencies

Travel for medical treatment

Urgent business matters

Travel due to school enrollment

In these cases, emergency appointments can be requested via the ADNIVExpedite@state.gov email in Abu Dhabi and the DUBNIVExpedite@state.gov email in Dubai.

Planning and caution

The embassy emphasizes that all visa applicants should start the process in a timely manner and avoid last-minute appointment scheduling. No new bookings will be possible during the transition period, so those who miss the deadline will have to wait until May 30 for the next opportunity to schedule an appointment.

Summary

The two-week suspension from May 15 to May 29 is due to preparations for the introduction of a new visa service provider. From May 30, a new, simpler, and more modern system will await visa applicants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In the meantime, it is important that all visa applicants pay attention to appointment times and document submission deadlines to avoid inconvenience.

(Source of the article: US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai announcement.)