Immigration Law Advisory

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) today issued a Public Notice eliminating visa revalidations within the United States. Applications for visa revalidation may be submitted no more than 60 days before the expiration of the current visa stamp in the same classification and up to one year after the expiration. All applications must be received by July 16, 2004 at the DOS Application Acceptance Facility in order to be adjudicated.

As of July 17, 2004, all those needing a revalidated nonimmigrant visa stamp in the following categories - C, E, H, I, L, O and P - will have to apply at a U.S. Consulate office abroad. DOS will continue to accept applications for reissuance of qualifying diplomatic and official visas in Washington, DC in classifications A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5 and NATO-6.

Visa interview appointments may be made at some posts through Internet sites which can be accessed at  http://usembassy.state.gov or by telephone.  The visa adjudicating posts in Mexico and Canada plan to continue to accept nonimmigrant visa applications from stateside applicants. However, if the visa is refused or denied, the applicant will have to return to his / her home country to address any problems, such as those arising from the additional scrutiny applied to applications from nationals of certain countries.