The U.S.
Department of State ("DOS") has recently announced that it will soon
cease to accept new applications for visa revalidation or extensions
in the United States. Currently, the DOS Visa Revalidation Program
permits certain foreign nationals in the E, H, L, O and P
nonimmigrant visa categories to obtain renewed visas by mail from
DOS headquarters in Washington, D.C., rather than from a U.S.
consulate abroad. According to DOS officials, the last day to file
new revalidation cases in the U.S. may be July 6, 2004, although
there has been rumors that the deadline will be extended to July 16.
Cases filed prior to the cut-off date should be processed to
completion. A formal announcement of the suspension of the
revalidation service is expected to be published soon in the Federal
Register and will provide a specific application deadline.
The DOS Visa Revalidation Program is being
suspended due to new biometric visa identification requirements
(fingerprint and facial scans) going into effect after October 26,
2004. U.S. consular posts have already begun to collect fingerprints
and photographs from visa applicants in order to comply with the new
regulation. However, the DOS’s revalidation unit is in no position
to comply with such biometric identifier requirements, as it is not
equipped to fingerprint visa applicants.
Individuals intending to file a visa revalidation application
with the DOS should do so as soon as possible to beat the July
deadline. After the deadline, applicants may have to travel to U.S.
consulates abroad to obtained revalidated or renewed visas. Visa
revalidation or renewals can be processed as early as 60 days prior
to expiration.
For more information on the revalidation process, please contact
your immigration attorney.
