Consular services at US embassies around the world are still being disrupted as a result of the US Embassy bombings last month in Kenya and Tanzania. All visa processing is still on hold, according to the State Department, at the consulates in Nairobi, Kenya; Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; Tirana, Albania; and Islamabad, Pakistan. The Tirana and Islamabad consulates have been closed due to terrorist threats. Also, the Kinshasa, Congo Embassy remains closed to all visa processing because of civil unrest in that country. Consular posts around the world have been instructed to accept nationals of affected countries for processing of NONIMMIGRANT visas. Immigrant visas have special procedures as outlined below.

The State Department is releasing the following country specific information -

Tirana, Albania - closed for all visa processing; non-immigrant visa applicants may go to any US visa-issuing post to process. Emergency immigrant visa cases are being handled in Athens or any other post where an Albanian can travel. Emergency is defined to include a) DV-98 cases, b) people who will be turning 21 and "aging out" of their visa category, c) fiancée cases and d) urgent family reunification cases (to be determined on a case by case basis).

Yaounde, Cameroon - The Cameroon embassy is handling Congolese cases. First time DV applicants from Congo should be at the Consular Section at 8 am on Mondays. Those asked to supply further documentation should return to the consulate on a Tuesday with the additional information. Emergency immigrant visa cases should call the consulate at 237-22-17-94 after 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tanzanian and Kenyan applicants should identify themselves as such so the post can provide specific information on documentation. Cases from Congo, Tanzania and Kenya will be given expedited appointments. Non-immigrant visa applicants can apply Wednesday through Friday 8 am to 11 am. Immigrant visa applications are accepted Mondays and Tuesdays 8 am to 12 p.m.

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo - Embassy closed to all visa processing; non-immigrant visa applicants may go to any US visa-issuing post to process. Emergency immigrant visa cases are being handled in Cameroon or any other post where a Congo national can travel. See Tirana, Albania entry for definition of "emergency".

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Handling emergency cases from Kenya and Tanzania. Applicants can just show up with out an advance appointment. Be sure to identify yourself as Kenyan or Tanzanian to guards and staff. The consulate will expedite these cases. Hours - 8 to 10 am Monday through Friday.

Athens, Greece - Handling Albanian emergency immigrant visa cases (see Albania above to find out what constitutes an "emergency case"). Albanian immigrant visa applicants should contact the consulate by fax (30-1-725-3025), e-mail (consul@ibm.net), or by phone between 2 and 4 pm (30-1-720-2451). Albanian citizens need visas to get into Greece. Nonimmigrant visa applicants should appear Monday through Friday between 8 am and 11 am. Immigrant visa applicants should appear on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until 8:30 am.

Nairobi, Kenya - Closed to all visa processing. Non-immigrant visa applicants may process at any post in the world. Emergency immigrant visa cases are being handled in Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, Harare, or any other post where a Kenyan national can travel.

Islamabad, Pakistan - Closed to all but extremely limited emergency visa processing. See definition of "emergency" in the Tirana, Albania entry. Non-immigrant visa applicants by appointment only except properly documented F-1 and J-1 cases. These applicants can walk in to the consulate between 9 am and 12 noon Monday through Friday. Appointments will not be scheduled more than 30 days in advance. All local and TCS drop box services and requirements remain unchanged.

Johannesburg, South Africa - Handling emergency immigrant cases from Kenya and Tanzania. Those applicants should contact the consulate at 27-11-646-6900 in advance and identify themselves as a Kenyan and Tanzanian. Case details can be faxed to 27-11-646-6913 to get a head start. Nonimmigrant visa applicants should show up Monday through Friday 8:30 to 11:30 am.

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania - Closed to all visa processing. Non-immigrant visa applicants may process at any post in the world. Emergency immigrant visa cases are being handled in Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, Harare, or any other post where a Tanzanian national can travel.

Kampala, Uganda - Processing nonimmigrant visa applications for Kenyans and Tanzanians. Kenyans and Tanzanians are being scheduled for interviews between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments must be obtained in person at the consulate.

Harare, Zimbabwe - Handling emergency immigrant visa cases from Tanzania and Kenya (see definition of "emergency" under Tirana, Albania). Contact the consulate at 263-4-794-521 ex.232 in advance and identify yourself as Tanzanian or Kenyan. You may also fax your case details to 263-4-796-488. Nonimmigrant visa applicants can appear Monday through Friday between 8 am and 12 noon.