News

From 2025, VFS Global will operate the new British visa application centers in Germany, replacing TLS Contact as the previous service provider for UK visa applications. During the transition, there will be temporary closures of visa centers. Regular operations are expected to resume in early January 2025.

The TLS Contact visa centers are scheduled to close as follows:

• TLS Contact Berlin - Closure on 20 December 2024
• TLS Contact Düsseldorf - Closure on 20 December 2024
• TLS Contact Munich - Closure on 29 November 2024

Until the new VFS Global visa centers open, applying for UK visas in Germany will be unavailable or significantly restricted.

In November/December 2024, the British visa authorities will change providers for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. From this date, the visa provider TLS will no longer be responsible for UK visas.

During the switchover from the Commercial partner provider TLS to VFS we will not be accepting any new orders for tourist visas. This is due to operational reasons such as fee and location changes. Orderly processing of applications will not be possible during this period. We hope to resume normal processing services from 06 January 2025.

Due to a technical update at the US consulates, no new interview appointments can be booked or payments of consular fees can be processed from 21 October 2024 to 25 October 2024. Please note that there may be slight delays during the changeover and also a few weeks after the changeover.

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the United Kingdom (UK) is a new entry requirement that is being introduced gradually.

For a few countries, an ETA application must already be submitted before departure, for other countries this will soon be necessary.

For Germans and EU citizens, an ETA application can be applied for from March 5, 2025 and is mandatory for entries from April 2, 2025.

We would like to inform you that new applications for a tourist visa for Great Britain will be accepted again with immediate effect.

In addition, we kindly ask you to take note of the current information, especially regarding processing times, in advance!

We would like to inform you that the fees charged by the UK visa authority UKVI and the UK visa center TLS have been increased exorbitantly. This price increase totals about 20% and comes into effect immediately.

In particular, we would like to point out that the fees for the Visa Center and the priority fee have been almost doubled by the authority. This drastic increase may affect your travel and visa application costs.

It is important that you take these new fees into consideration when applying for a visa to the United Kingdom!

Tightening of ESTA requirements for passport holders of Hungarian citizenship

Since the beginning of August 2023, Hungarian citizens wishing to travel to the USA have to face new restrictions when using the ESTA. The previous validity period of the ESTA authorization has been reduced to a maximum of one year for Hungarian citizens as of August 1, 2023. This means that Hungarian travelers will now have to apply for a new ESTA authorization every time they plan to enter the country. When Hungarian citizens obtain an ESTA authorization, it is valid for only one year and entitles them to only one entry during that period. In contrast, citizens of other VWP countries are usually granted a two-year ESTA authorization, which allows them to enter the U.S. several times during those two years.

UPDATE ON APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR AN ESTA AND HAVE BEEN TO CUBA BEFORE!

Travelers who entered or stayed in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, and wish to enter the U.S. with ESTA authorization would NOT be able to apply for ESTA again. A Non-Immigrant Visa is required prior to departure. Please keep this in mind when planning your trip.

read on

The U.S. Immigration Department has raised fees for all non-immigrant visa categories, effective June 17, 2023. The new fees are noted on the relevant order forms.

The Immigration Department Australia has increased fees for all visa categories effective July 1, 2023. The new fees are shown on the relevant order forms.

UPDATE 05.09.2023: The processing of UK tourist visas has been resumed!

Recent events such as the reopening of travel opportunities after the pandemic and the Brexit has led to a high volume of applications being received by Visas United. To cope with increased the demand we are temporarily accepting only a limited number of applications. This route has temporarily been closed and will be available once the workload is manageable. This affects only for TOURIST VISA. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

F and M student visas can now be issued up to 365 days in advance of the I-20 program start date, allowing more time for students to apply for a visa. Students are still not allowed to enter the U.S. on a student visa more than 30 days before their program start date. The previously existing 120 day no longer applies as of February 21, 2023.

The TLS Contact visa center in Düsseldorf is moving. As of March 3, 2023, the Visa Center will be located at the following address: Signature by Regus - Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine - Breite Str. 3 - 40213 Düsseldorf - Floor 6.

Please note that there may be problems with appointment availability during the relocation of the Visacenter. This is a preliminary information based on our experience and does not correspond to any official information. Travelers with urgent travel needs may have to switch to the visa centers in Berlin or Munich.

The processing of tourist visas for Great Britain has been resumed by the Visas United team after suspension of almost half a year. For more information, please go directly to the corresponding info page: APPLY FOR YOUR VISA > Your visa for UK > Tourist Visa - General Visitor.

Dear customers,

From 23.12.2022 until 6.1.2023 our office will be closed due to Christmas holiday.

We would like to wish you a happy christmas and best wishes and health for the new year!

From 9.1.23 we are again available for you as usual!

In recent weeks, the media and travelers to the USA have increasingly reported that they have been denied entry to the USA with ESTA. The rejection was justified in connection with previous trips to Cuba in recent years. Below you will find all important information about the ESTA requirements for previous travel to Cuba.

The current fee of the US consulate is EUR 152,00.

Please note that Russian citizens or persons with dual Russian citizenship currently do not receive appointments at the US consulates. Accordingly, visa applications for this group of persons are currently not possible!

In general: If you have a passport issued by one of the following countries or if you are a dual citizen of one of the following countries, you cannot currently obtain an interview appointment at the US Consulate and therefore you cannot apply for a visa! Emergencies (e.g. death in the family) may be exempt!

• China
• Iraq
• North-Korea
• Somalia
• Syria
• Jemen
• Iran
• Libya
• Russia
• Sudan
• Venezuela

Date: 09.03.2022

Due to the current situation, there are longer waiting times for an appointment at the British visa centre TLS. The reason for this is the need for increased capacity for war refugees from Ukraine!

The Visa Centres Berlin, Düsseldorf and Munich currently advise that it is only possible to apply for a visa for the UK if you are fully vaccinated (against COVID-19)or have a recovered status (at least 27-28 days old, maximum 3 months old). Persons who have not been fully vaccinated or who have only been tested CANNOT APPLY FOR A VISA AT THIS TIME!

The British visa authority and the TLS Teleperformance Visa Center, which must be used to apply for the visa, have adjusted the fees to the current exchange rate and also increased them.

Further information can be obtained at any time by phone or e-mail. The new prices are noted on the respective order forms and info pages.

Since late January 2020, the U.S. has taken increasing measures to combat the spread of coronavirus and protect the U.S. labor market. Now, the removal of the ban on entry into the United States has been announced for November 8, 2021. Read below to see the implications for travelers, visa applicants*, and visa holders.

CURRENT INFORMATION

On October 25, President Biden announced a Presidential Proclamation entitled "A Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic." This proclamation, which takes effect at 00:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 8, 2021, repeals the travel restrictions of Presidential Proclamations (P.P. ) 9984, 9992, 10143, and 10199, relating to the suspension of entry into the United States for persons residing in Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, Südafrica, and the United Kingdom, respectively, are lifted.

In lieu of these restrictions, the President announced a global vaccination requirement for all adult foreign travelers. This proclamation applies to individuals who plan to enter the United States on a flight after 12:01 a.m. öst standard time on Nov. 8, 2021.

For more information on this global vaccination requirement, including details on exemptions and waivers based on humanitarian considerations, see Non-U.S. citizen, Non-U.S. immigrants: Air Travel to the United States | CDC.

According to President Biden's proclamation, the Department may process visa applications for individuals physically present in the affected countries beginning Nov. 8. Please note that the lifting of these P.P.'s does not necessarily mean that your ört U.S. Embassy or Consulate will be able to immediately schedule all affected applicants for a visa interview.

Who can re-enter the U.S. after when?

After November 8, 2021, all foreign nationals who travel to the United States by land or air and can demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to re-enter the United States. This also applies to travelers from Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa and the United Kingdom (= Travel Ban countries). This will make tourist travel, family visits, etc. with a visa or ESTA possible again as of November 8, 2021.

At the same time, entry into the U.S. for unvaccinated travelers from countries not named in the Presidential Proclamation, which were previously not subject to restrictions, will become more difficult starting November 8, 2021. This will affect, for example, foreign unvaccinated travelers from Japan or Canada.

In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will issue a new order requiring airlines to collect contact information from U.S. travelers to enable contact tracing. It is likely that the so-called contact-tracing system will be implemented for all travelers regardless of vaccination status.

Which vaccines are approved?

Which vaccines are accepted by U.S. regulators has now been described in a bit more detail by the U.S. Public Health Service (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC).

After Nov. 8, 2021, vaccines approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and vaccines listed in the emergency use list of the World Health Organization, or WHO, will be permitted in all cases (= WHO Emergency Use Listing, or EUL). These include the following vaccines:

• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
• Moderna (Spikevax)
• Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)
• AstraZeneca/Oxford (Vaxzevria and SII/Covishield)
• Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV)
• Sinovac (CoronaVac)

Here is the list of WHO-approved vaccines.

Otherwise, individuals are considered...

• two weeks after the second dose of a 2-dose vaccination series
  or
• two weeks after a single-dose vaccination

...as fully vaccinated.

Participants in studies for vaccines that are still in the clinical approval phase in the U.S. (e.g. Novavax) may also enter the U.S. as fully vaccinated under certain conditions.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals with cross-vaccinations can be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last dose if they

• a single dose of an FDA-approved or WHO emergency-approved single-dose series
  or
• have received a combination of two doses of an FDA-approved or WHO-approved two-dose series
  for emergency use

Proof üof vaccination is provided by:

• Vaccination card with QR code, digital passport über smartphone application with QR code (eg COVID passport of the UK National Health Service, digital COVID certificate of the European Union)
• Print of COVID-19 vaccination passport or COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued at the national or subnational level or by an approved vaccine provider (e.g., CDC vaccination certificate)
• Digital photos of the vaccination card or document, downloaded vaccination documents or vaccination certificates from an official source (e.g., a health department, government agency, or other approved vaccine provider), or a cell phone application without a QR code

If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you may instead travel with proof üof recovery from COVID-19 (ie. Your positive COVID-19 viral test result from a specimen taken no more than 90 days prior to departure from a foreign country, and a letter from a licensed health care provider or öpublic health official stating that you are cleared to travel).

TESTING DUTY CONTINUES TO BE NECESSARY!

The mandatory testing that has been in place since Jan. 26, 2021, for airline passengers worldwide entering the U.S. from abroad remains in place.

To continue to contain the spread of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, travelers – including fully vaccinated individuals – either within 3 days (vaccinated persons)/1 day (unvaccinated persons)be subjected to mandatory COVID-19 testing prior to departure for the United States and provide a negative test result or provide evidence üof recovery from COVID-19.

How does the new rule affect visa issuance and visa appointments?

Whether visa appointments will be released for additional categories, and if so, to what extent, also remains to be seen. We suspect that, for example, B-1 / B-2 interview appointments could be re-released with the elimination of the travel ban (likely associated with long wait times).

To this end, the U.S. Department of Labor advises: Please note that the lifting of these P.P.'s does not necessarily mean that your ört U.S. Embassy or Consulate will be able to immediately schedule all affected applicants for a visa interview. Please check the embassy/consulate website for information on what services they currently provide and how to apply for a nonimmigrant visa.

Taken from: US Visa Service - 10/18/2021 - 12:20

White House press release: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, September 20, 2021

TRAVEL STATE GOV press Release: Update on U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention press release: Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States

TRAVEL STATE GOV press release (25.10.2021): Safely Resuming Travel by Vaccine Requirement and Rescission of Travel Restrictions on Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention press release (25.10.2021): Non-U.S. citizen, Non-U.S. immigrants: Air Travel to the United States

Effective September 7, foreign nationals who qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption can enter Canada for discretionary travel.

Who can come to Canada

Canadian citizens (including dual citizens), people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents of Canada, or protected persons (refugee status) are allowed to enter Canada.

Fully vaccinated foreign nationals will be allowed to enter Canada for discretionary travel on specific dates:

• August 9, 2021: American citizens and permanent residents of the United States, currently residing in and arriving from the United States, and who qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption
• August 9, 2021: French citizens who currently reside in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and who qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption
• September 7, 2021: All other foreign nationals who qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption

Exemptions for fully vaccinated travellers

If you qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption you are exempt from:

• quarantine
• Day-8 testing requirement

If you provide essential services or already qualify for other exemptions from quarantine and Day-8 testing, you don’t need the fully vaccinated traveller exemption. If you think you qualify for other exemptions: find out if your travel is exempt.

Check if you qualify for the exemption

To qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, you must:

• be eligible to enter Canada on the specific date you enter
• have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• have received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of accepted vaccines
• have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day you enter Canada
• Example: if your last dose was anytime on Thursday July 1st, then Friday July 16th would be the first day that you meet the 14 day condition
• upload your proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
• meet all other entry requirements (for example, pre-entry test)

Accepted COVID-19 vaccines in Canada

• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
• Moderna (mRNA-1273)
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)

Vaccines not currently accepted for fully vaccinated status in Canada:

• Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
• Cansino (Convidecia, Ad5-nCoV)
• Gamalaya (Sputnik V, Gam-Covid-Vac)
• Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV, Sinopharm-Wuhan)
• Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
• Vector Institute (EpiVacCorona)
• Other

The list of accepted vaccines may expand in the future.

Certified translations

If you received your vaccines outside Canada, it’s still accepted but proof of vaccination must be uploaded digitally in ArriveCAN and must only be in French or English, or certified translation into French or English.

Recovered from COVID-19 with one dose

If you have recovered from COVID-19, you still need a full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or combination of accepted vaccines. If you’ve only had one dose of an accepted vaccine other than Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), you don’t qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption.

No exceptions for partially-vaccinated travellers

At this time, there are no exemptions from testing or quarantine for travellers who haven't received the full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada.

Testing positive or possible exposure within 14 days of your entry to Canada

Monitor for symptoms for at least 14 days after your arrival. If you start having COVID-19 symptoms you must immediately:

• contact the local public health authority and follow their directions, including isolation
• report symptoms to PHAC by calling 1-833-641-0343

You must provide proof of your test results, if asked, to any federal, provincial, territorial or municipal government official.

Extension of validity for National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) for Travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India

On June 29, 2021, the Department of State extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIE) for travelers subject to restrictions under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9984, 9992, 10143, 10199, and similar subsequent PPs related to the spread of COVID-19. Unless otherwise indicated, existing NIEs will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval and for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the purpose under which they were granted. This extension applies to travelers subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India who currently have approved NIEs or who were granted NIEs in conjunction with a visa application. Among the qualifications for NIEs are those traveling to provide vital support or executive direction to critical infrastructure; those traveling to provide vital support or executive direction for significant economic activity in the United States; journalists; travel due to extraordinary humanitarian circumstances; or travel in support of national security or public health. Students holding F or M visas and travelers with immigrant or fiancé visas have been granted NIEs and do not need to obtain NIEs in advance from a consular section. NIE eligibility for students who have been present in Brazil, China, India, Iran or South Africa applies to programs that begin on or after August 1, 2021. Additional information is available here. Travelers should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling if they have not previously been approved for a NIE and have a valid visa in the appropriate class or have a valid ESTA authorization for travel under the Visa Waiver Program and seek to travel for purposes consistent with ESTA authorization. If an NIE is approved, they may travel on either a valid visa or ESTA authorization, as appropriate. Each approved NIE is valid for 12 months from the date of approval and may be used to travel to the United States multiple times for the purpose indicated in the approved NIE.

Update on Presidential Proclamation 10052/Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services

• The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In July 2020, U.S. Embassies and Consulates began a phased resumption of routine visa services.
  
  
• The resumption of routine visa services, prioritized after services to U.S. citizens, will occur on a post-by-post basis, consistent with the Department’s guidance for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities.  U.S. Embassies and Consulates have continued to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services since March 2020 and will continue to do so as they are able.  As post-specific conditions improve, our missions will begin providing additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services.
  
  
• We are unable to provide a specific date for when each mission will resume specific visa services, or when each mission will return to processing at pre-pandemic workload levels.  See each U.S. Embassy or Consulate’s website for information regarding operating status and which services it is currently offering.
  
  
• Our missions overseas continue to provide all possible services to U.S. citizens. More information is available on each post’s website.
  
  
• This does not affect travel under the Visa Waiver Program. See https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?focusedTopic=Schengen%20Travel%20Proclamation for more information.
  
  
• Applicants with an urgent matter who need to travel immediately should contact the nearest embassy or consulate to request an emergency appointment.  Contact information is on the embassy or consulate’s website.
  

FAQ

Q.  Which additional visa services are embassies/consulates beginning to provide?

• All of our missions are continuing to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services.  As post-specific conditions permit, and after meeting demand for services to U.S. citizens, our missions will phase in processing some routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa cases.  Posts that process immigrant visa applications will prioritize Immediate Relative family members of U.S. citizens including intercountry adoptions, fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens, and certain Special Immigrant Visa applications.  Posts processing non-immigrant visa applications will continue to prioritize travelers with urgent travel needs, foreign diplomats, and certain mission critical categories of travelers such as those coming to assist with the U.S. response to the pandemic, followed by students (F-1, M-1, and certain J-1) and temporary employment visas.  We expect the volume and type of visa cases each post will process to depend on local circumstances.  An embassy or consulate will resume adjudicating all routine nonimmigrant and immigrant visa cases only when adequate resources are available, and it is safe to do so.

Q.  What criteria are missions using to determine when to resume routine services?

• We are closely monitoring local conditions in each country where we have a U.S. presence.  Local conditions that may affect when we can begin providing various public services include medical infrastructure, COVID-19 cases, emergency response capabilities, and restrictions on leaving home.

Q.  What steps are being taken to protect customers from the spread of COVID-19?

• The health and safety of our workforce and customers will remain paramount.  Our embassies and consulates are implementing safeguards to keep staff and customers safe, including implementing physical distancing in our waiting rooms, scheduling fewer interviews at a time, frequent disinfection of high touch areas, and following local health and safety regulations.

Q.  Do the various Presidential Proclamations/travel restrictions still apply, or are those lifting with the resumption of visa services?

• The three geographical COVID-19 Proclamations (P.P. 9984, 9992, and 10143) remain in effect.

Q: Is my situation an emergency? I need to go the United States immediately for X.

• Applicants can find instructions on how to request an emergency visa appointment at the Embassy or Consulate’s website.

Q.  What about my application fee that expired while routine services were suspended? 

• The Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee is valid within one year of the date of payment and may be used to schedule a visa appointment in the country where it was purchased.  However, the Department understands, as a result of the pandemic, many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment.  We are working diligently to restore all routine visa operations as quickly and safely as possible.  In the meantime, the Department extended the validity of MRV fees until September 30, 2022, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment due to the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the fee they already paid.

Presidential Proclamation 10052, which temporarily suspended the entry of certain H-1B, H-2B, J (for certain categories within the Exchange Visitor Program), and L nonimmigrants, expired on March 31, 2021.

Visa applicants who have not yet been interviewed or scheduled for an interview will have their applications prioritized and processed in accordance with existing phased resumption of visa services guidance.  Visa applicants who were previously refused visas due to the restrictions of Presidential Proclamation 10052 may reapply by submitting a new application including a new fee.

The resumption of routine visa services, prioritized after services to U.S. citizens, is occurring on a post-by-post basis, consistent with the Department’s guidance for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities.  U.S. Embassies and Consulates have continued to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services since March 2020 and will continue to do so as they are able.  As post-specific conditions improve, our missions will begin providing additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services.  Applicants should check the website of their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for updates on the services that post is currently offering.

From: Travel.State.Gov USA - 01.04.2021 - 10:00

Extension of Presidential Proclamations 10014 and 10052

On December 31, 2020, the President signed a Presidential Proclamation on Suspension of Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Continue to Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market. This proclamation extends Presidential Proclamations (P.P.) 10014 and 10052 through March 31, 2021. P.P. 10014 suspends the entry to the United States of certain immigrant visa applicants, while P.P. 10052 suspends the entry to the United States of certain nonimmigrant visa applicants who present a risk to the U.S. labor market during the economic recovery following the novel coronavirus outbreak. Specifically, the suspension in P.P. 10052 applies to applicants for H-1B, H-2B, and L-1 visas; J-1 visa applicants participating in the intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel programs; and any spouses or children of covered applicants applying for H-4, L-2, or J-2 visas.

For further information on P.P. 10014, please see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/Proclamation-Suspending-Entry-of-Immigrants-Who-Present-Risk-to-the-US-labor-market.html.

For further information on P. P. 10052, please see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/proclamation-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-and-nonimmigrants-who-present-risk-to-the-US-labor-market-during-the-economic-recovery-following-the-COVID-19-outbreak.html.

From: Travel.State.Gov USA - 04.01.2020 - 10:20

Consular Team Germany Resumes Limited Visa Services

Starting the week of July 20, the consular sections in Berlin and Frankfurt will resume processing of limited categories of nonimmigrant visa applications; Munich will resume processing only F/M/J visas. At this time, we are prioritizing services for U.S. citizens and residents of Germany.

Students who already hold valid F and M visas may now travel directly from the Schengen area to the United States. Prospective students who need an F or M visa should make an appointment for a visa interview. All F and M travelers must have a current I-20 form that complies with all Student and Exchange Visitor Program requirements; it is not necessary to have any in-person instruction.

National Interest Exceptions

The following categories of travelers may now qualify for national interest exceptions (NIEs) under Presidential Proclamation 9993, which has suspended routine travel from the Schengen Area to the United States:

• Public Health: Travel as a public health or healthcare professional or researcher to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, or to continue ongoing research in an area with substantial public health benefit (e.g. cancer or disease research).


• Students: All students, and their dependents, traveling to the United States on an F or M visa to pursue a full course of study or on a J visa to participate in an exchange program as a bona fide student.


• Academics: All exchange visitors and their dependents traveling to the United States on J visas in the following categories: Professors, Research Scholars, Short Term Scholars, or Specialists.


• Investors: Travel in connection with investment or trade in the U.S. economy that generates a substantial economic impact, including investors and treaty-traders on E visas and the senior-level employees who provide strategic direction or expertise essential to the success of the investment, and their dependents.
  Economic: Temporary travel that provides a substantial economic benefit to the U.S. economy, including:


• Technical experts and specialists to install, service, maintain, or receive training for vessels, machinery and other specialized equipment used by U.S. and foreign firms with a substantial investment in the United States. Travel is temporary in nature and for a defined period of time.


• Senior-level managers and executives, and their dependents, who provide strategic direction necessary for the success of the company or venture.


• Professional athletes, dependents, and essential staff who enter the United States to participate in major sporting events, which bolster the U.S. economy.

From: US Consulates in Germany - 18.07.2020 - 13:00

On Monday, June 22, President Trump signed a proclamation suspending entry into the United States of certain immigrants and nonimmigrants who present a risk to the U.S. labor market following the coronavirus outbreak. Effective immediately, the proclamation extends the suspension of entry for certain immigrants (Presidential Proclamation 10014) through December 31, 2020. The new restrictions imposed by the proclamation are effective at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 24 and expire on December 31, 2020, unless continued by the President. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and aliens who are or were inside the United States or those holding valid nonimmigrant or immigrant visas on the effective date are not subject to the proclamation. The proclamation suspends entry of nonimmigrants in the following categories: H-1B, H-2B, J (for aliens participating in an intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel program) and L, along with their spouses and children. No valid visas will be revoked under the proclamation. Presidential Proclamation 10014 and this proclamation provide exceptions to their restrictions for certain categories of immigrants and nonimmigrants. The full text of the presidential proclamations are available on the White House website at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following-coronavirus-outbreak/

Stand: UStraveldocs - 25.06.2020 - 13:00

On April 22, President Trump signed a proclamation suspending entry into the United States of certain immigrants who present risk to the U.S. labor market during the economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The proclamation is effective at 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 23 and expires in 60 days, unless continued by the President. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and those holding valid immigrant visas on the effective date of the Proclamation, are not subject to the proclamation.

  No valid visas will be revoked under this Proclamation. Routine visas services have been suspended at U.S. posts worldwide, but as resources allow, embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services for applicants who are not subject to this presidential proclamation.

The full text of the presidential proclamation is available on the White House website at:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-immigrants-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-economic-recovery-following-covid-19-outbreak/

Stand: UStraveldocs - 24.04.2020 - 15:00

Urgent information for visa applicants regarding novel coronavirus:

Entry of foreign nationals who were physically present within the following list of countries within 14 days preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States is suspended, per Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, 9993, and the subsequent proclamation issued March 14, 2020:

• The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, excluding overseas territories outside of Europe;
• The Republic of Ireland;
• The 26 countries that comprise the Schengen Area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland) The Islamic Republic of Iran;
• The People’s Republic of China, not including the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau

There are certain exceptions to the suspension of entry, including exceptions for U.S. lawful permanent residents and certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, among other exceptions listed in the proclamations. If you reside in, have traveled recently to, or intend to transit or travel through any of the above listed countries prior to your planned trip to the United States, we recommend you postpone your visa interview appointment until 14 days subsequent to your departure from the subject country(ries). Additionally, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or believe you may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, you are strongly encouraged to postpone your appointment by at least 14 days. There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. For questions about rescheduling a pending consular appointment, please contact us at http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/de/de-main-contactus.asp for specific guidance.

Information for visa applicants regarding novel coronavirus:

As of March 13, 2020, the United States Embassy and Consulates in Germany are cancelling routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. The MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at support-germany@ustraveldocs.com to request an emergency appointment.

Stand: UStraveldocs - 14.03.2020 - 19:00

(WASHINGTON) Today President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation, which suspends the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States. These countries, known as the Schengen Area, include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This does not apply to legal permanent residents, (generally) immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation.

Statement from DHS Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf:

“Protecting the American people from threats to their safety is the most important job of the President of the United States. The actions President Trump is taking to deny entry to foreign nationals who have been in affected areas will keep Americans safe and save American lives. I applaud the president for making this tough but necessary decision. While these new travel restrictions will be disruptive to some travelers, this decisive action is needed to protect the American public from further exposure to the potentially deadly coronavirus.

“In January and February, the Administration issued similar travel restrictions on individuals who had been in China and Iran. That action proved to be effective in slowing the spread of the virus to the U.S., while public health officials prepared. In the next 48 hours, in the interest of public health, I intend to issue a supplemental Notice of Arrivals Restriction requiring U.S. passengers that have been in the Schengen Area to travel through select airports where the U.S. Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures.”

From: Homeland Security Department - 12.03.2020 - 08:30

Entry of foreign nationals who were physically present within the Islamic Republic of Iran or the People’s Republic of China, not including the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau within 14 days prior to their arrival at the port of entry in the United States is suspended, per Presidential Proclamation 9984 and the subsequent proclamation issued February 29, 2020. If you reside in, have traveled recently to, or intend to travel to China or Iran prior to your planned trip to the United States, we recommend you postpone your visa interview appointment until 14 days subsequent to your departure from the subject country(ies). Additionally, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or believe you may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, you are strongly encouraged to postpone your appointment by at least 14 days. There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. For questions about rescheduling a pending consular appointment, please contact us for specific guidance.

From: UStraveldocs - 10.03.2020 - 12:52

Effective January 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers entering the United States to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of departure​. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers before boarding. Airlines must deny boarding of passengers if they do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery. This requirement is separate from the visa application process. All Presidential Proclamations restricting travel due to COVID-19 remain in place, and continue to apply to subject potential travelers regardless of their test results or vaccination status. Travelers holding a National Interest Exception also remain subject to all applicable pre-departure testing requirements.

Berlin

The Canada Visa Application Centre in Berlin, Germany will remain closed from Thursday, 17th December 2020 until further notice due to government restrictions.

Dusseldorf

The Visa Application Centre in Dusseldorf will re-open for business on Monday, 11th January and will provide the following limited services until further notice.

• Biometrics collection for Biometric Instruction Letter holders only
• Return of decision envelopes to applicants Your decision envelope will be returned to you via the courier service offered by the VAC. Collection of decision envelopes in-person at the VAC is not permitted until further notice. Please refer to the “Buy Services” page of this website for further information on courier services offered by the VAC.
• Permanent Resident Travel Document intake (via post/courier only). Submission of PRTD applications in person at the VAC is not permitted until further notice.
• Submission of passport upon receipt of passport request letter from IRCC (via post/courier only) Submission of passport in person at the VAC is not permitted until further notice.

The Opening Hours of the VAC will be as follows, until further notice: Monday (only one working day): 9:00 – 17:00

Due to COVID-19 outbreak, the VAC may be implementing additional measures to ensure health and safety of applicants.

Source: VFS Canada Visa Application Center - 14.01.2021 - 12:40

The U.S. Mission to Germany understands that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment. We are working diligently to restore all routine visa operations as quickly and safely as possible. In the meantime, rest assured that the U.S. Mission will extend the validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2022, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee. Please continue to monitor this site for information on when we will return to routine visa operations.

As of December 16, 2020, the United States Embassy in Berlin and Consulates General Frankfurt and Munich have ceased all non-emergency visa services, including F, M, and J visas, due to recently re-imposed COVID-19 restrictions. Unfortunately, an imminent start date for F and J students is not, at this time, considered an emergency. While the Embassy and Consulates aim to process cases as soon as practicable, there is likely to be increased wait times for completing such services due to substantial backlogs. The MRV fee is valid and may be used to schedule an interview appointment in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please email the consular section in your area (FrankfurtVisaInquiries@state.gov, ConsBerlin@state.gov, ConsMunich@state.gov) to request an emergency appointment.

From: UStraveldocs - 04.01.2020 - 10:20

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL UK VISA APPLIANTS

The visa centers are open again with limited number of appointments.

Appointments are available and can be booked from now on. Restrictions are still to be expected. When entering the UK, a 14-day quarantine is necessary for all those entering!

Status: TLS Contact - 05.06.2020 - 08:35

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL UK VISA APPLICANTS

The UK visa centers informed:

"Our Visa Application Centre in Berlin/Dusseldorf/Munich will be reopening on June 4th.

We note that your previous visa appointment was cancelled due to confinement measures. We invite you to visit our website to make a new appointment. In order to do this, you will first need to log on to the gov.uk website, using the link that you received from UK Visas & Immigration when you completed your application form."

Status: TLSContact - 28.05.2020 - 09:21

The Visacenter TLSContact is closed due to the corona virus. All booked appointments have been canceled and can be rebooked free of charge when the Visa Center reopens. Passports can be collected once the visa processing is over. Those who have paid courier fees will receive their passports once the proceesing is complete.

If Visas United processed your application and booked your appointment, we will contact you as soon as possible.

Status: TLSContact - 16.03.2020 - 09:32