The United States has lots of beauties to offer to travelers from all around the world, but there are several reasons why certain types of individuals may find it incredibly difficult or near-impossible to get a Travel Visa to the US. Generally this is due to either US embassy or consulate limitations on or suspensions of visa services due to natural disasters, civil unrest in the country in which the embassy or consulate rests, war and/or security concerns. Of course there are a variety of other reasons why a US embassy or consulate may limit or suspend its visa services, though the above are the most common.
Due to stringent US legislation criteria regarding the personal criteria visa applicants fulfill in order to be granted a Travel Visa, individuals with a criminal record are unlikely to be eligible to receive a US Travel Visa. However, it is not impossible to acquire one with a criminal record, much of the decision will largely depend on the nature of the crime(s) committed by an applicant, the time of the offense, and the discernment of the immigration officials who process the application. Minor offenses such as traffic offenses which did not result in either an arrest or conviction are unlikely to disqualify one from being eligible for a US Visitor Visa, though they must be reported and full details of the events must be revealed, particularly in cases of being stopped for driving while intoxicated, whether or not a conviction was the result.
Currently, Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao has only limited visa services available. Limited nonimmigrant visa services are available to applicants with Dutch passports applying for certain categories of nonimmigrant visas. The Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao consulate does not issue immigrant visas to anyone under any circumstances.
In many countries, the visa services at certain US embassies and Consulates have been completely suspended due to natural disasters, civil unrest, war, security concerns, or other various reasons. Individuals living under the jurisdiction of these Embassies and Consulates may find it increasingly difficult to acquire a US Travel Visa. The following US embassies and consulates are affected thus:
Belarus, Minsk:
- Full visa services have been suspended until further notice. However, US Embassy Minsk processes nonimmigrant visa applications for the following categories in a limited capacity: “A” Visas for diplomats and government officials; G visas for employees and representatives to international organizations; B visas for relatives of Belarusian diplomats serving at Belarusian diplomatic missions in the US; visas for family and medical emergencies requiring urgent travel; visas for US Government-sponsored travel and various programs; visas for senior citizens age seventy or older
- There are several alternate US consulates and embassies at which Belarus residents may apply in person, yet there are a multitude of other requirements and qualifications that then must be met
Libya, Tripoli:
- All visa services at US Embassy Tripoli have been suspended until further notice, making it difficult for individuals living in or under the embassy’s jurisdiction to acquire any type of US Travel Visa
Portugal, Ponta Delgada:
- US Consulate Ponta Delgada no longer provides any visa services
Syria, Damascus:
- All visa services at US Embassy Damascus have been suspended until further notice
There are several countries with which the US does not have any diplomatic relations, and thus no US Embassies or Consulates exist in those nations. Individuals from these countries cannot acquire a US Travel Visa unless they apply through an alternate US Embassy or Consulate which specifically caters to individuals from those countries without US Embassies and Consulates. Although it is a simple matter of traveling to the appropriate country and applying from there in theory, many countries have strict rules restricting the travels of their citizens and forbidding contact with the US. For this reason, many of the individuals from the countries listed below may find it nearly impossible to acquire a US Travel Visa.
- Nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services for Bhutan residents are provided at US Embassy New Delhi, India
Iran:
- Immigrant visa services for Iranian nationals are processed at: US Embassy Ankara, Turkey; US Embassy Abu Dhabi, UAE; and US Embassy Yerevan, Armenia
- Nonimmigrant visa services for Iranian nationals are processed at any US embassy or consulate which provides those services. However, Farsi-speaking officers are only employed in the US Embassies Yerevan, Ankara, and Abu Dhabi
- There is currently no US Embassy or Consulate which has been appointed to accept and process immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications for residents of the DPRK
The US does have formal relations with some countries yet does not have a diplomatic presence within their borders, such as Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. What this means for citizens of these nations and states is that when seeking a nonimmigrant visa, those individuals must travel to any US Embassy or Consulate where they have a scheduled appointment. Immigrant visa services from residents of these countries are provided solely at US Embassy Bridgetown, Barbados.
Residents of Guinea-Bissau seeking nonimmigrant visas must apply in person at any US embassy or consulate where they have an appointment. Immigrant visa services for residents of Guinea-Bissau are additionally provided at US Embassy Dakar, Senegal.
