Beginning July 15, US Embassies and Consulates may begin the phased resumption of routine visa services depending on local conditions. Please monitor the embassy/consulate website for the status of their services.

So far, the only U.S. Consulate that has formally announced any resumption of visa services is the one in Bermuda, which will start accepting student visa applications (and only student visa applications) on July 15.

The U.S. Embassy in Israel has not formally announced its plan to reopen the Visa Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. When the Visa Sections do resume services, they will likely begin with student visas, and then work visas. Tourist visas may be low on their list of priorities.

Progress in reopening the Visa Sections is directly tied to Israel’s progress in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Given the recent lack of success in battling the “second wave,” it is reasonable to assume that the Visa Sections will not be reopening on July 15. That said, interviews scheduled for Tel-Aviv later in July have not been cancelled, so we’ll have to wait and see what the next few days bring.

It is also important to mention that even when the Visa Sections do reopen, it will not be possible to apply for L-1 work visas until December 31, 2020 without a special exemption.