US Embassy in Korea "Visa Issuance Suspended from Tomorrow"... Travel for Purposes Within 90 Days Still Allowed (Comprehensive)

"Visa Services Suspended in Countries with Travel Alerts Levels 2, 3, and 4"... "No Impact on Visa Waiver Program"
Resumption of Visa Services Not Yet Determined... Long-Term Stays for Study and Work Purposes Temporarily Unavailable

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The U.S. Embassy in Korea announced on the 18th that it will suspend regular visa services starting from the 19th. While long-term stays in the U.S. for purposes such as studying or working are expected to be difficult until services resume, visits to the U.S. for tourism or similar purposes for up to 90 days under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) remain possible.

The U.S. Embassy in Korea explained on the same day, "In response to the global challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of State is suspending visa services for countries under travel advisories at levels 2, 3, and 4." The Department of State had previously issued a Level 3 travel advisory, "Reconsider Travel," for South Korea and a Level 4 advisory, "Do Not Travel," for the Daegu region.

Accordingly, the U.S. Embassy in Korea canceled all regular interview appointments for immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance starting from the 19th. However, this measure does not affect the Visa Waiver Program.

The timing for resuming visa services has not been determined. The U.S. Embassy in Korea stated, "We will do our best to resume regular visa services as soon as possible," but added, "We cannot currently announce the exact date when this will happen."

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Korea advised that in urgent cases, applicants should request emergency visa interview appointments if necessary. This is interpreted as a limited continuation of visa services.

The U.S. Embassy in Korea also explained, "Although all immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments are canceled, visa application fees already paid remain valid," and "These fees can be used for visa applications within one year from the payment date in the country where the fee was paid."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.