It seems that the National Visa Center and U.S. consulates are still open during the government shutdown, but I read that since the EB-5 regional center program has not been signed into law for 2019 yet, NVC is not scheduling new appointments. I received NVC’s email on Dec. 12, 2018, saying that my EB-5 case was completed and ready for setting an interview date at the Buenos Aires consulate. I am not sure if the shutdown delays this or if it’s not affected?
Answers
Julia Roussinova
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyAppointment scheduling is usually delayed until the regional center program is reauthorized. If it is a direct EB-5 case, it should not be affected.
Bernard P Wolfsdorf
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyIf this is a regional center case, the green card cannot be issued until after the shutdown is over. Some consulates are still scheduling. But that seems to be in error and if scheduled, you should go top the interview, but the visa cannot presently be issued.
Charles Foster
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyCorrect! The EB-5 regional center program was not extended and, technically, terminated as of Dec. 21, 2018. It's uncertain when the government will approve a new budget or more likely continuing resolutions, which would be the vehicle by which the EB-5 regional center program will be extended.
Marko Issever
EB-5 Broker DealersThe government shutdown has certainly affected appointment scheduling. USCIS said that as of Dec. 22, 2018, they will put unadjudicated regional center-affiliated forms I-526 and I-485 (whether filed before or after the expiration date) on hold for an undetermined length of time. Similarly, National Visa Center and U.S. consulates are on hold mode until the program is reauthorized once the government shutdown ends.
Salvatore Picataggio
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyIf they're moving your case along, move along with it!
BoBi Ahn
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyMy understanding is that during the government shutdown, no interviews are being scheduled.
Dale Schwartz
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyI believe they will not schedule any appointments until after the shutdown ends. There are no EB-5 visa numbers to give out now.
Belma Demirovic Chinchoy
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyAppointment scheduling is delayed until the program is reauthorized.
Stephen Berman
Find an EB-5 Visa Lawyer: Immigration AttorneyIt is affecting scheduling. Scheduling is going on, but it is slowed down.
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