US consulates now open in Austria and Germany

The US consulates in Austria and Germany have resumed visa services in a limited capacity. These consulates have been shut down temporarily since the COVID-19 pandemic started and US immigration had slowed down.

In Germany, the US has resumed visa processing of non-immigrant visa applications for limited categories. These Visa Application Centers (VAC) are functioning in Frankfurt and Berlin. In Munich, the US has resumed processing applications for F/M/J visas.

The Consulate notification says that US citizens and residents of Germany will receive priority treatment. But third-country nationals who do not reside in Germany won’t be eligible to apply for a visa.

Students of Schengen countries who get a valid M and F visa may be allowed to make direct trips to the USA. But prospective students in need of an M or F visa must make an appointment for a visa interview.

The US consulate in Berlin also instructs that every F and M traveler must have a current I-20 form that complies with all requirements of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. In-person instructions aren’t necessary for them.

Also, now some categories of travelers may qualify for an NIE (National Interest Exception) following the Presidential Proclamation 9993. This Proclamation prohibited routine travel from the borderless area to the US.

Among the traveler categories that qualify for NIE are:

• Investors
• Economic
  • Professional athletes, dependents, and essential staff
  • Senior-level managers and executives
  • Technical experts and specialists
• Students
  • Academics
• Public Health

Applicants belonging to these categories who believe their trip is in the national interest of USA should apply for their visas as usual.

The US consulate in Austria has resumed limited visa processing. Priority is given to residents and citizens of Austria.

The appointments have resumed in the US Embassy in Vienna including the categories of:

• B1 visas
• E visas
• J visas
• M visas
• F visas

This US Embassy will determine if an applicant may qualify for NIEs under the Presidential Proclamation 9993.

Applicants belonging to these categories who believe their trip is in the national interest of USA should apply for their visas as usual.

The US embassy in Vienna will keep going with processing diplomatic and official visas under the usual process. Besides the NIE categories mentioned above, it provides enumerated exceptions to:

• minor children and spouses of US citizens or USA’s lawful permanent residents
• air and sea crew members

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to USA, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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