Immigrant Visa Notice
Beginning May 3, 2021, the United States Embassy in Barbados is offering limited routine appointments for immigrant visa applicants. We will also open a limited number of K1 fiancé appointments.
Starting on October 1, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring that all Immigrant Visa applicants be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The Immigrant Visa Section wants to help prevent any delays in our applicants’ medical screening process and therefore, we are encouraging our applicants to begin the vaccination process now, if you are not already vaccinated for COVID-19. Being fully vaccinated means that the applicant has completed the vaccine series (2 doses), which can take up to 28 days. You will need to present your original vaccination card to the panel physician at the time of your appointment. Stay up to date by checking this website: https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/panel-physicians/covid-19-technical-instructions.html
Nonimmigrant Visa Notice
The U.S. Embassy in Barbados has resumed limited routine nonimmigrant visa services effective March 1, 2022. Because of limited capacity and safety precautions due to COVID-19, applicants should expect to experience delays in appointment availability. However, we are regularly adding new available appointments when possible. Be sure to check back frequently if you seek an earlier appointment.
If you have paid the MRV fee, it will remain valid until September 30, 2023. MRV fees are non-transferable. We cannot accept MRV fees from outside our consular district.
The Embassy continues to process Interview Waiver (IW) and Renewal Interview Waiver (RIW) cases. We have recently expanded the eligibility of this program, and you MAY now qualify to renew your visa by mail. To see if you qualify to renew your visa by mail, please scroll to the additional RIW information below which details all eligibility criteria.
Emergency Requests
If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-bb/niv, or call 246-623-9832 or 246-623-9833 to request an emergency appointment for B1/B2, F, J, and M visa categories only. We do not consider routine travel requests to resume or begin work or to attend routine business meetings in the United States as qualifying for an expedited or emergency appointment.
Health and Safety
In order to protect the health and safety of our personnel and the public, we follow strict social distancing practices in our facilities. All applicants must wear face masks at all times while visiting the Embassy. Applicants must also adhere to all local health protocols including any mandatory quarantine requirements. If you are feeling ill or have reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 please do not visit the Embassy and instead contact us at BridgetownNIV@state.gov to reschedule your appointment for a later date. Please note that there are no exceptions for local mandatory quarantine requirements – you will be turned away and not allowed entry into the Embassy.
All future appointments, even for emergencies, are contingent upon favorable health and safety conditions at the time of the confirmed appointment. The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown appreciates in advance your patience with any unexpected scheduling changes that may result from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
For the latest information regarding Presidential Proclamations and other visa issues, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news.html