The US Embassy’s decision came after Barbados’ government announced a 14-day lockdown period from Wednesday, February 3 to February 17 following a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in that country.

The embassy in a statement said: “Due to changes in Barbados’s general COVID-19 posture, Embassy Bridgetown has cancelled all nonimmigrant visa appointments effective Thursday, January 28.”

“We will resume routine nonimmigrant visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. Please monitor our website and social media for updates,” the embassy added.

Guidelines for emergency travel

In an effort to facilitate persons with ‘special circumstances’, the embassy also outlined measures that persons with emergency travel arrangements can follow.

“If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-bb, or call 246 623 9832 or 246 623 9833 to request an emergency appointment,” the embassy stated.

For those BVI residents affected by the cancellation, the embassy said the visa fee which was paid to schedule the appointment will be valid until September 30, 2022.

Residents wishing to reschedule their appointments will be able to do so at no additional expense, once the rescheduled visa appointment is in the same county where the fee was paid.