The US Embassy in the UAE has suspended all visa appointments and fee payments for two weeks beginning May 15, 2025. This is a result of the transition by the embassy to a new service provider in order to enhance visa processing and customer service efficiency.
The suspension cuts across both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, and the embassy has asked applicants to make necessary arrangements. Applicants with emergency travel requirements are asked to contact the embassy directly through their emergency appointment mechanisms. Fees paid prior to May 15 will be honored and can be utilized for subsequent appointments.
Embassy officials said the change to a new provider is intended to simplify services and cut wait times in the long run. But they admitted that it will be inconvenient in the short term and asked the public to bear with them during the transition.
Once the transition has been finalized, regular visa services should resume at the end of May. Applicants are encouraged to visit the embassy’s website and official communication channels regularly for updates and step-by-step instructions on rescheduling or scheduling new appointments.
