What should I do if my U.S. visa interview was canceled due to embassy closures?

If your interview in Israel, Lebanon, Qatar, or the UAE was canceled, you do not need to take immediate action. The Department of State will typically notify applicants via email once operations resume. However, due to "Ordered Departures" of staff, delays may last several months. You may eventually request a case transfer to a third-country embassy (such as Frankfurt or Yerevan), though these posts are currently experiencing high volume.

How does the termination of TPS for Yemen affect my legal status?

The official termination date is May 4, 2026. If you currently hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from Yemen, you must transition to another legal immigration status (such as a family-based Green Card, Asylum, or an employment visa) before that date to avoid losing your authorization to stay and work in the U.S.

Can I still fly to the U.S. from Dubai (DXB) or Doha (DOH)?

As of March 3, 2026, flight operations at these hubs are severely disrupted or fully suspended due to regional airspace closures. While some limited repatriation flights may exist, the FAA has issued "Do Not Fly" warnings for much of the region. Do not travel to these airports without a confirmed, re-validated ticket and a direct confirmation from the airline that the flight is departing.

I am a Green Card holder stranded in the Middle East. Will I lose my residency?

U.S. law generally requires Permanent Residents to return within six months to avoid "abandonment" concerns. If you are stuck due to the current conflict, keep a paper trail: Copies of canceled flight tickets. Screenshots of "Do Not Fly" advisories and NOTAMs. Emails from the U.S. Embassy regarding closures. This documentation will be essential to prove that your extended stay was involuntary when you eventually re-enter the U.S.

What is "High-Risk Adjudication" for visa applicants?

Following the events of February 28, 2026, the U.S. government has introduced enhanced security screenings for applicants from conflict zones. This often results in Administrative Processing (Section 221(g)), involving deep background checks that can take months. There is currently no way to expedite these security-based holds.

Is Special Student Relief (SSR) still available for F-1 students?

While SSR has historically helped students from Lebanon and Yemen, recent DHS policy shifts indicate that these benefits—such as increased work hours and reduced course loads—may be ending for certain groups this month. Students must contact their Designated School Official (DSO) immediately to verify the status of their Form I-20.

Are U.S. embassies in the Middle East closed in March 2026?

Several U.S. embassies — including Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Bahrain — have suspended routine visa services due to security concerns. Some locations are operating with limited staff and prioritizing emergency services for U.S. citizens. Always check the specific embassy website for updates.

Will my visa interview be canceled?

If your interview was scheduled at a post that suspended routine services, it will likely be canceled or postponed. Many applicants are not receiving immediate rescheduling dates. Monitor your visa scheduling account and embassy announcements for updates.

Can I transfer my visa case to another U.S. embassy?

In some cases, applicants may request a transfer to a third-country embassy (such as Frankfurt or Yerevan). However, approval is discretionary and many posts are experiencing high demand and long wait times.

Is it safe to travel to the Middle East right now?

Multiple countries in the region are under Level 4: Do Not Travel advisories. Travelers should monitor official U.S. government updates and prioritize personal safety.

Middle East Travel Advisory (March 2026): U.S. Visa Processing and Mobility Disruptions

TL;DR: Emergency Travel Advisory

We strongly advise against all travel to the Middle East at this time. This applies to U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, dual nationals, and visa-dependent individuals. Due to regional combat operations, U.S. Embassies have suspended services, airspace is largely closed, and the DHS has announced major policy shifts, including the termination of TPS for Yemen. Prioritize your physical safety above all immigration timelines.

Middle East Security Update: Visa & Travel Impacts (March 2026)

The security situation in the Middle East has changed rapidly after regional combat operations began on February 28, 2026. As a result, the U.S. government has issued multiple Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisories, suspended embassy services, and made major immigration policy changes.

If you are waiting for a visa interview, sponsoring a family member for a green card, holding TPS, or studying in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, these developments may directly affect you.

Above all, please remember that your safety comes first. We know this situation is stressful and fast-moving. Embassy closures and visa delays are driven by serious security concerns. If you are in the region, prioritize your personal safety, follow local guidance, and monitor official U.S. Embassy alerts. Immigration timelines can be addressed once conditions stabilize.

Below is what you need to know — and what steps you can take now.

Key Takeaways

U.S. Embassy Closures: U.S. Embassies in Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Bahrain have suspended consular services.
Ordered Departures: Non-emergency U.S. personnel and families have been ordered to leave the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
TPS for Yemen Terminated: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen will end on May 4, 2026.
Airspace Disruptions: The FAA and European aviation authorities have issued “Do Not Fly” warnings for much of the region.
Visa Delays Expected: Many immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interviews are canceled or postponed indefinitely.

What’s Happening?

The U.S. government has significantly updated immigration operations and travel guidance in response to escalating hostilities in the Middle East. These changes affect everything from family-based green card interviews to the physical safety of U.S. citizens and visa holders currently in the region.

Flight and Travel Impacts

The FAA and EASA have issued "Do Not Fly" warnings for the region. As of today, civilian flight paths are almost entirely disrupted by missile and drone activity.

Current Airspace Closures

Total closures:

Iran (through March 7)
Israel (through March 6)
Iraq
Qatar
Kuwait
Bahrain

Partial closures:

UAE (NOTAM issued for partial airspace closure)
Jordan (closed nightly from 3:00 PM to 6:00 AM)

Flights between Europe/United States and Asia are being rerouted over Africa or the Caucasus, adding 3–5 hours to travel time.

Major Airline Suspensions

Airline	Current Status	Affected Routes	Notes
Emirates	Most routine flights suspended	Dubai (DXB) hub operations disrupted	Limited repatriation flights; availability not guaranteed
Etihad Airways	Largely suspended	Abu Dhabi (AUH) routes impacted	Operating select evacuation flights only
Qatar Airways	Fully suspended	Doha (DOH) operations halted	Qatari airspace fully closed
Lufthansa	Suspended	Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman	Canceled until further notice
Delta Air Lines	Suspended	Tel Aviv and regional connections	No announced restart date
United Airlines	Suspended (select routes)	Tel Aviv	Monitoring security conditions
Air France-KLM	Suspended	Israel and Lebanon routes	Subject to security review
British Airways	Suspended	Tel Aviv	Operations paused due to airspace risks

Important Travel Reminder

Do not go to the airport without confirmed ticketing.
Rebooking options may be limited due to airspace closures.
Monitor airline websites directly for real-time updates.
Expect longer travel times due to rerouted flight paths over Africa or the Caucasus.

Current U.S. Embassy Operations

Location	Consular Status	Travel Advisory	Security Note
Israel (Jerusalem)	Closed	Level 4: Do Not Travel	Ben Gurion Airport closed; shelter-in-place active.
Lebanon (Beirut)	Suspended	Level 4: Do Not Travel	Airstrikes reported in Beirut; exit via commercial air if possible.
UAE (Abu Dhabi/Dubai)	Limited	Level 3: Reconsider Travel	Routine visas postponed (March 2–4); threat of drone strikes.
Qatar (Doha)	Suspended	Level 3: Reconsider Travel	Routine services paused until further notice.
Saudi Arabia	Partial	Level 2: Increased Caution	Normal operations in Riyadh; shelter-in-place in Dhahran.

How Immigration Processing Is Affected

Federal officials have implemented these pauses primarily for security and personnel safety. Remaining staff are strictly focused on American Citizen Services (ACS), such as issuing emergency passports for evacuations, rather than processing green cards or visas.

Visa Interview Cancellations

If your visa interview was scheduled in the region, it will likely be canceled or postponed without a new date.

Enhanced Security Screening

For the few posts still operating, the administration has introduced "High-Risk Adjudication" holds. This means any applicant from a conflict zone may face:

Mandatory deep background checks
“High-Risk Adjudication” holds
Administrative Processing under Section 221(g)

These reviews can take months or longer.

Staff Evacuations

Under "Ordered Departure" status, the people who typically interview you for a visa are no longer in the country. This significantly slows:

Family-based immigrant visas
Employment-based visas
Student visas
Tourist visas

Major Policy Shifts: TPS and Student Relief

The legal landscape changed overnight on March 2, 2026, with a series of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcements.

Termination of TPS for Yemen

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem officially terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen.

Deadline: Status officially ends on May 4, 2026.
Impact: Holders must find another legal status (such as Asylum or a family-based Green Card) or prepare to depart.
Reasoning: The administration cited a shift in national interest and determined that statutory conditions for the designation are no longer met.

Special Student Relief (SSR)

F-1 students from Lebanon and Yemen may lose certain work authorization benefits under Special Student Relief programs. Students should:

Confirm I-20 validity
Check employment authorization expiration dates
Consult their Designated School Official (DSO)

Who Else Is Affected?

The current situation impacts several distinct groups of US foreign nationals:

Visa Applicants: Those with scheduled interviews in the Middle East will likely see their appointments canceled or deferred indefinitely.
TPS Holders: Specifically, individuals under TPS Yemen must now seek alternative legal status before the termination takes full effect.
F-1 Students: Students from Lebanon and Yemen using Special Student Relief (SSR) must monitor expiration dates, as some programs are ending this month.
Green Card Petitioners: U.S. citizens sponsoring family members currently located in conflict zones may face years of "Administrative Processing" delays.
Green Card Holders Abroad: Stays outside the U.S. longer than six months may raise abandonment concerns.

What Travelers and Visa Holders Should Do

Prioritize Your Safety

If you are in the region, follow local safety instructions and U.S. Embassy alerts. Avoid high-risk areas and do not travel unless necessary. Your personal safety should always come before immigration timelines.

Enroll in STEP

Avoid Unnecessary Travel

Do not travel to major transit hubs such as DXB (Dubai) or DOH (Doha) without confirmed ticketing. Airport access and flights may be restricted or canceled with little notice.

Keep Documentation

If you are a green card holder stranded abroad, keep records of canceled flights, airline notices, and government advisories. This documentation may help demonstrate that any extended stay outside the United States was due to circumstances beyond your control and not an abandonment of permanent residency.

What Happens Next?

The situation remains fluid. While the government may suspend consular services for safety reasons, policy decisions such as TPS termination are often challenged in federal court.

Ellis will continue monitoring Department of State and USCIS announcements and provide updates as they become available.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.