TheDepartment of State (DOS) previously issued guidance stating that embassies and consulates were required toprioritize certain consular services, due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The DOS nowissued a notice that the November 2020 visaprioritization guidance has been rescinded, effective immediately.
Allembassies and consulates now have broad discretion to determine how to best prioritizevisa appointments, among the range of visa classifications, at each specificembassy or consulate. Embassies and consulates are still subject to any localconditions or restrictions that are in place. In addition, applicants can stillrequest expedited interviews, if their work will be performed at a facilityengaged in pandemicresponse.