COVID-19 update: Consular services limited in Spain, Seattle USCIS office reopens

The U.S. State Department has limited consular services in Spain, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reopened its Seattle office after a closure last week amid a COVID-19 outbreak in the Seattle area.

Key Points:

• Consular services in Spain. BAL contacts have confirmed that the U.S. Embassy in Madrid has suspended nonimmigrant visa services until further notice as Spain deals with a nationwide COVID-19 outbreak. A statement posted to the embassy website says that appointments at the embassy in Madrid and the U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona will be limited and that U.S. consular agencies in the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Malaga, Seville and Valencia will only provide emergency services. Those who have their appointment cancelled must reschedule their appointment by logging into their account at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-es/niv/users/sign_in.
• Seattle USCIS office. USCIS has reopened its Seattle application support center and field office. The offices were closed last week after a staff member was tested for the COVID-19 virus. The Department of Homeland Security said the offices were subsequently cleaned to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards. Applicants are reminded:
  • If your local USCIS office is closed, USCIS will send notices with rescheduling instructions to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments affected by the closure.
  • Application Support Center appointments missed because of office closure will be rescheduled by USCIS, and you will receive a new appointment letter in the mail.
  • Individuals who had InfoPass or other appointments at a USCIS field office must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center.

Additional information: Officials have posted regular COVID-19 updates on the U.S. Embassy in Madrid’s website. Updated information on USCIS office closures is available on this website. A BAL FAQ on implications of the measures the U.S. government has taken in response to COVID-19 is available here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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