US suspends visa service temporarily. Due to the ongoing hostilities, neither the US Embassy in Jerusalem nor the Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv are currently providing services for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
The US embassy in Israel confirmed the suspension and advised anyone who needs to travel to the US urgently but does not currently have a nonimmigrant visa to apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
‘Consular sections at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide can assist with expedited appointments for emergency travel. Please make an appointment and request an expedited appointment in that country,’ the embassy said in a statement.
It is important to note that Israelis and citizens of other countries are now eligible to apply for visas at Canadian U.S. Consulates.
Applicants are advised to review the specific Consulate’s policies before scheduling an expedited interview due to an emergency trip.
Also read: 14 Visa free countries for Pakistani Passport holders 2023
Expedited appointments can be requested after completing the DS-160 application and paying fees on the website of the U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Services.
As US suspends visa service temporarily, the conflict in the area, which has resulted in over 3,000 Palestinian deaths and tens of thousands of serious injuries, has all but halted air travel within Israel.
In response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, prominent Hollywood figures including Tilda Swinton, Steve Coogan, Miriam Margolyes, Charles Dance, Maxine Peake, and Peter Mullan have signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
A resolution on the Israel-Gaza conflict was not approved by the UN Security Council the day before because the United States, a close ally of Tel Aviv, vetoed the Brazilian-led draught, angering the Muslim world.
While the resolution actually called for humanitarian pauses in the ongoing war to allow full access for aid to Gaza, Washington justified its action by arguing that it refused to acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense.
On Wednesday, the UNSC gathered to vote on the resolution draught put forth by Council President Brazil.
Russia and the UK abstained, and 12 Council members supported the resolution.
The UNSC failed to adopt a resolution on the Middle East situation for the second time in a row.
Earlier, the Security Council rejected a resolution supported by Russia that demanded a humanitarian ceasefire.
