With US visa appointments available only a year later, efforts are underway to expedite the process, according to a diplomat from the mission in the UAE.
"We are working to expand and improve to increase our capacity and expedite appointments," stated Ron Packowitz, the country consular coordinator, in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times.
He noted, "There is a high demand to travel to the US post-pandemic, not just from the UAE, but worldwide."
Khaleej Times had previously reported on the overwhelming demand among UAE residents to travel to the US, with the earliest available appointment date in Dubai being October 18, 2024, and November 2024 in Abu Dhabi.
Explaining the reasons for the delay, Packowitz highlighted that pandemic-related restrictions hindered the interviewing process for non-immigrant visa applicants, creating a backlog. "By law, we are required to interview visa applicants. Because of the pandemic and some of the restrictions put by the local governments, we were unable to bring them into our consular section for interviews. Many of them still want to travel to the US," he explained.
"Post-pandemic, we have received more applications for non-immigrant visas than we received pre-pandemic. Now that the pandemic is over, there is enormous interest in travel from around the world," Packowitz added.
Some Applicants Given Priority
The consular coordinator has highlighted that the embassy is actively addressing the backlog and expediting visa appointments for certain applicants.
"We give priority to visa interviews for specific travelers, such as students, those with medical emergencies, individuals with urgent business travel, and those with expired visas," stated Packowitz.
He further explained that considerable efforts are made to facilitate the timely arrival of students on the first day of their classes in the U.S. Urgent business travelers aiming to finalize crucial deals and individuals in need of urgent medical care are also receiving special attention.
No Need to Visit for Expired Visas
Residents with significantly expired visas in the last four years are not required to visit the consulate; instead, they can receive their visas via Emirates post, according to Packowitz.
Flexibility in Visa Appointments
Applicants for U.S. visas have the flexibility to obtain appointments in any country of their choice. Packowitz emphasized, "Depending on appointment availability, residents can choose to attend the interview in any GCC country or their preferred location."
Additional Daily Appointments
To streamline the process and expedite the interview phase for UAE residents, the embassy consistently adds extra appointments each day. Packowitz suggested checking the official website regularly for the possibility of securing appointments sooner than the scheduled date.
Plan Ahead
Packowitz advised residents to plan well in advance, at least a year before their intended travel to the U.S. He stressed the importance of initiating the application process early and cautioned against making irreversible plans until the visas are in hand.
Destination Recommendations
While there are numerous enticing destinations in the U.S., Packowitz recommended specific areas for Middle East residents. Chicago, New York, Southern and Northern California, and Orlando were highlighted for their diverse attractions. Chicago offers great food and local sports, New York exceeds expectations, California boasts theme parks and impressive Redwood trees, and Orlando provides a memorable experience for travelers."