In response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
The announced worldwide shutdown of routine visa services prompted questions about whether medical professionals on J/H visas were still allowed to travel to/stay in the U.S.
In an attempt to be responsive and to provide clear guidance to applicants themselves, the Department of State posted a notice on its website clarifying that such medical professionals with approved petitions were welcome to continue to apply.
To the extent possible given post resource constraints and local government restrictions, our embassies and consulates are continuing to process visa applications for medical professionals who already have an approved immigrant or non-immigrant visa petition or certificate of eligibility.
The notice, however, doesn’t refer to new job applications.