The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai have temporarily cancelled all scheduled consular appointments through July 15 due to regional security concerns. The US Mission announced the decision as part of temporary operational changes affecting routine services across both diplomatic locations.
Officials said everyone with appointments during the affected dates should avoid visiting the embassy or consulate. Instead, consular staff will contact applicants directly with new appointment details once rescheduling becomes available.
The temporary suspension applies to all consular appointments scheduled between July 13 and July 15. Both the embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai are operating under the same temporary service arrangements.
The US Mission advised applicants not to travel to either diplomatic office during this period. Individuals do not need to contact the embassy in person or request new appointments themselves. Instead, updated scheduling information will be sent using the contact details provided during the application process.
Officials also confirmed that no walk-in services have been introduced to replace the cancelled appointments. Applicants are encouraged to keep their appointment confirmation records and regularly check their registered email accounts for further instructions.
The service update was announced through official US Mission communication channels on July 13. The same guidance was also shared across official social media platforms to ensure applicants receive consistent information.
Although routine appointments have been suspended, emergency consular services remain available. US citizens requiring urgent assistance, including emergency passport services and other time-sensitive matters, can still contact consular officials through the US Citizen Services Navigator.
Consular staff will review emergency requests individually and provide further guidance through email or other approved communication methods. The US Department of State also continues to offer emergency support through its international assistance phone lines.
Officials have advised US citizens living in or traveling across the Middle East to stay informed by following updates from their nearest US embassy or consulate. They also encourage travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which provides official travel alerts and important operational updates.
The temporary changes also affect routine US visa processing in the United Arab Emirates. According to the latest information released by the US Mission, routine visa services remain suspended until further notice. No official date has been announced for the full return of normal visa operations.
Applicants waiting for tourist, business, student, employment, or immigrant visas should continue monitoring official scheduling systems for future updates. Any appointments scheduled during the affected period will not take place and will be rescheduled by consular staff.
Companies arranging travel for employees are advised to confirm visa requirements before making travel plans. Officials recommend keeping application records, payment receipts, and appointment confirmations until replacement interview dates are provided.
The US Department of State has noted that visa appointment availability depends on staffing levels and operational capacity at each diplomatic mission. New interview appointments will be released as resources become available, although published waiting times remain estimates rather than guaranteed schedules.
Applicants seeking expedited visa interviews must continue following existing procedures. This generally includes completing the required visa application, paying the necessary fees, scheduling the earliest available appointment, and providing documentation that supports an urgent request. Each application will be reviewed based on local consular guidelines.
The US Mission also confirmed that temporary staffing adjustments remain in place. Some non-emergency US government personnel have been relocated outside the United Arab Emirates, reducing the number of staff available for routine consular work.
Despite these operational changes, emergency assistance continues to be available for US citizens. Officials emphasized that future updates regarding visa processing, appointment scheduling, and citizen services will be shared through official embassy, consulate, and US Department of State communication channels. Applicants are encouraged to rely only on these official sources for the latest information.
