IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. Embassy Consular Section Closed May 17 – May 21, 2010

Due to continuing security concerns in the area and access issues on Wireless Road, the U.S. Embassy is currently operating under emergency personnel staffing only.  The Non-immigrant and Immigrant Visa sections will be closed until May 21, 2010. If you have a non-immigrant visa interview appointment scheduled for the period between May 17 to May 21, 2010, your appointment will be rescheduled.  As a resolution to the ongoing security situation in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy is uncertain, it is not currently possible to establish a new appointment time for those impacted by our unscheduled closure.  As soon as the U.S. Embassy has determined the situation to be safe for Embassy Consular staff to return to work and for visa applicants to travel to the Embassy for visa appointments, we will advise those impacted through e-mail or phone with details on new appointment dates. Please Note:  As a large number of people have been affected by these events, and the volume of appointments that have been scheduled for the upcoming weeks, it will not be possible to consider expedited appointments.  We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this has caused.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I reschedule my appointment?

At present, we must ask applicants with visa appointments scheduled for the week of May 17 through May 21 to wait until the Embassy has determined when that it is safe to conduct visa appointments.  All those impacted by this unexpected closure will be notified through the e-mail address or phone number provided during the visa interview appointment process.

I have a visa appointment scheduled during the week of May 17-May 21.  I have urgent travel to the United States, what can I do?

Unfortunately, due to the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy Consular Section is currently closed.  We are unable to schedule any visa appointments for the week of May 17-May 21 and will be unable to accommodate expedited appointments.  We suggest that you make alternate travel plans.

I have a visa appointment scheduled during the week of May 17-May 21.  Can I reschedule my appointment at another U.S. Embassy in a neighboring country?

Each U.S. Embassy has its own scheduling system and requirements for visa applicants.  Fees paid in Thailand for the visa interview cannot be used abroad.

I have a visa appointment scheduled during the week of May 17-May 21.  Can I reschedule my appointment for the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai?

The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai has its own appointment system and you must live within their consular district to schedule an appointment there.  Please see http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/ for more information.

I have a visa appointment scheduled during the week of May 17-May 21.  Can I make a special request?

Due to the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy Consular Section will be closed for the week of May 17 – May 21.  As such, we will be unable to reply to visa inquiries and/or special requests during that period.  We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience our disruption of service has caused.

I am an immigrant visa applicant – can I come in for my scheduled appointment, to drop off documents, or to pick up my visa?

If you had/have an immigrant visa appointment for the week of May 14-May 21, it will be rescheduled.  You will be contacted with a new date and time once the Embassy reopens.  If you have been told to bring in documents on Mondays or Wednesdays, or to come in to pick up your visa, please do not come in until the Embassy reopens.  Please look for announcements on the Embassy website.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground in Bangkok remains tenuous, to quote The Nation’s website:

Thailand teetered yesterday between a last chance for peace and what could be even bigger urban warfare than has already occurred these past few days. It all hinges on behind-the-scenes talks reportedly taking place and whether increasingly uncontrollable pockets of angry protesters can be reined in.The casualty toll slowed its climb a bit during the day, but many observers believed the night could explode into something worse than the wee hours of yesterday morning.

The conclusion of this dramatic series of events remains, at the time of this writing, unclear. However, all hope that the conflict will be resolved with no further loss of life.

For more information about this unfolding state of affairs please see: US Embassy Bangkok or US Embassy Thailand.