The ongoing restrictions on consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Havana have been prompted by a voluntary departure authorization granted by the State Department to its employees, in response to the disruptive impact of Hurricane Rafael in the capital. This measure, detailed in a weather alert released on November 5, was enacted due to potential infrastructure damage caused by the hurricane, as explained by a State Department spokesperson in an email to Martí Noticias.
The spokesperson further stated that the U.S. State Department "approved voluntary departure for directly hired employees of the U.S. Embassy in Havana and their eligible family members." The Embassy's operational status remains constrained as recovery efforts continue following the hurricane, restricting consular services to emergency assistance for U.S. citizens. All previously scheduled interviews will be rescheduled once the Embassy resumes full operational capacity, the official added.
Temporary Suspension of Visa Services
On Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba announced the suspension of all routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services, including interviews and document reviews, planned for November. These appointments will be rescheduled, and the Embassy will directly contact applicants soon to set new dates. The notice specifically addressed applicants with a visa status of "ISSUED" in the CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center), who are allowed to collect their visas on Wednesday, November 13, or Thursday, November 14, at 10:00 am.
Impact on Cuban Applicants
The temporary halt of visa processing was publicized on November 11, coinciding with the Embassy's closure in observance of Veterans Day, a U.S. holiday. This delay has sparked concern and frustration among many Cubans, who are troubled by the postponement of consular services. The previous week, the Embassy had announced that from November 12 to 15, it would only provide emergency services to American citizens, citing the unstable national power grid and ongoing recovery efforts after Hurricane Rafael. Routine services, visas, and other appointments would be automatically rescheduled.
Nonetheless, the latest announcement extends the timeline for restoring consular services, further complicating the situation for those affected.