Delays in Visa Processing in Several Countries Due to Conflict in Middle East
U.S. visa appointments have been canceled across multiple countries after American embassies and consulates have suspended routine visa processing due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. U.S. embassies and consulates in several countries, including Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, have temporarily suspended visa services, and others in the region could follow depending on future events. At this time, consular services in Turkey remain operational.
Background
Following the initial attacks in the Middle East on February 28, 2026, the U.S. State Department implemented widespread consular closures due to unrest in the region. In times of crisis and conflict, the State Department (which oversees all embassies and consulates), tends to revert to its core mission of protecting and evacuating U.S. citizens (by organizing task forces, scheduling evacuation flights for U.S. passport holders, etc.) and limiting exposure to its own overseas staff. It is likely that nonessential personnel at the Consular Posts have departed the region. This means that more routine services, such as visa appointments for foreign nationals, are postponed or canceled until the State Department deems the security situation more stable.
Potential Impact on Visa Applicants
The suspension of visa services will likely have a widespread impact on future visa processing. In September 2025, the State Department updated its policy on third-country visa processing, requiring most applicants to apply in their country of nationality or legal residence. Accordingly, applicants in this region, with some limited exceptions, will be unable to process their visas until visa services resume. As a result, we anticipate significant backlogs and delays in visa processing once the suspension is lifted.
Pryor Cashman is closely tracking how any current or future changes to visa processing may affect our clients. Visa applicants and their employers should consult their Pryor Cashman attorney with any questions or concerns about the latest available information.
- -
Director of Government Affairs Philip Folkemer and Associate Elina Savinetskaya were contributing authors to this client alert.
