DOS London Cable on Nonimmigrant Visa Backlog
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3823
INFO OECD POSTS COLLECTIVE
AMCONSUL BELFAST
AMCONSUL EDINBURGH
Unclas London 002040 Dept for CA/VO - Kevin Aiston
E.O. 12958: N/A
Tags: CVIS, CMGT, UK
Subject: London Comments for VO/AILA Meeting
Ref: State 26846
1. London wishes to advise AILA members that NIV interviews have been limited during February because the NIV unit is converting to the modernized MRV system which requires six-weeks of staff-training, installation and start-up monitoring. This has resulted in an interview backlog of approximately three weeks. While we hope to resume normal appointment levels in March and April, conversion to “At-The-Window” MRV processing and the increased anti-fraud measures built into the system may slow down interviews and may result in continued lower than normal appointment levels. Post urges all eligible applicants to use mail-in, drop-box or Volume Visa Unit channels for expeditious processing.
2. Due to the British Presidency of the European Union and a series of EU and G-8 ministerial and summit meetings which will take place this May, many of our consular officers will be involved in supporting the visits of high-ranking U.S. officials. Post will, therefore, be forced to limit appointments in the month of May to residents of the consular district. Post’s definition of resident is anyone living in Great Britain who has some British immigration status other than “visitor” with six or fewer months leave to remain in the United Kingdom. In May, appointments will not be available, except in genuine emergency circumstances, to third country nationals visiting the UK, including those visiting from the United States, unless they are permanent residents of the United Kingdom with indefinite leave to remain.
3. Due to the current appointment backlog and the limits planned for May, post strongly encourages all eligible applicants to avail themselves of London’s several channels which do not require personal appearance: mail, drop-box and the VVU. Two-thirds of London’s cases are processed without personal appearance already. All nationals of Britain, other European Union Nations, and VWPP countries, as well as anyone with indefinite leave to remain (ILTR) in the United Kingdom may use these options.
4. We would like to remind AILA members that London will accept for processing the applications of residents of its consular district who are British citizens or permanent residents of the United Kingdom who are not physically present in the United Kingdom so long as they are in legal status - other than VWPP status - in the United States. There is no need for these applicants to come to London and apply for a visa in person.
LaderS