Can You Get a US Visa Appointment in the GCC Right Now? A Country-by-Country Guide

Last updated: Jun 26, 2026

The US-Iran conflict that began on 28 February 2026 forced the US State Department to suspend routine consular services — including visa processing — at nearly every embassy and consulate across the Gulf.

The ceasefire first announced on 7 April held only intermittently and was repeatedly violated. Iran launched missiles and drones at the UAE on 4–5 May 2026, and further strikes hit Kuwait and Bahrain on 2–3 June 2026, closing Kuwait International Airport and damaging diplomatic missions in an attack US Central Command called an “egregious ceasefire violation”.

US and Iranian leaders subsequently agreed a fresh 60-day ceasefire and signed a memorandum of understanding on 17 June 2026 to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, per PBS News. The truce has eased tensions enough for some posts to begin reopening, but it has been violated repeatedly and the situation remains volatile.

No GCC embassy has resumed routine visa processing. Here’s where each country stands as of late June 2026. This is a fast-moving situation — verify the latest status with each embassy before making any plans.

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United Arab Emirates

Verdict: No

The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai remain open on ordered-departure status, with routine consular services suspended.

The State Department ordered non-emergency staff to leave on 3 March 2026, and all routine consular services — including visa processing, passport renewals, and non-emergency appointments — were suspended.

A security alert dated 4 May 2026 confirmed the embassy and consulate remain on ordered-departure status, operating with minimal staff. Iranian missile and drone attacks on the UAE on 4–5 May make a near-term resumption of visa services unlikely.

No timeline has been announced for resuming visa appointments.

Saudi Arabia

Verdict: No

All three US consular posts in Saudi Arabia — Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran — have suspended routine visa services. The US Mission cancelled all consular appointments on 3 March 2026.

Before the crisis, Saudi Arabia was one of the easier GCC countries for visa appointments. Wait times at the Dhahran consulate were reportedly among the shortest in the region.

When services eventually resume, Saudi may again offer faster slots than the UAE.

Qatar

Verdict: No

The US Embassy in Doha has suspended all routine consular services.

While the embassy lifted its shelter-in-place order on 30 March, this has not translated into resumed visa processing.

Americans needing emergency consular help can contact [email protected]. No visa interviews are being scheduled.

Kuwait

Verdict: No (routine visa processing); emergency services have resumed

The US Embassy in Kuwait City resumed limited operations effective midnight on 24 June 2026, after a wartime closure that began on 5 March 2026.

The embassy is now providing limited emergency American Citizen Services, and US citizens can schedule passport applications and renewals through its website. Routine visa processing and notarial services have not resumed, and the State Department says remaining services will be restored gradually, per the official security alert.

The reopening followed the mid-June ceasefire; earlier Iranian strikes on Kuwait on 2–3 June 2026 had forced the closure of Kuwait International Airport and damaged diplomatic missions.

For emergencies, American citizens can reach the embassy via [email protected] and the State Department’s 24/7 emergency line at +1-202-501-4444 (from overseas).

Bahrain

Verdict: No

The US Embassy in Manama has suspended routine consular services. A security alert dated 9 April 2026 confirmed the ongoing suspension.

Limited services — specifically US passport and consular reports of birth abroad — are available for American citizens who email [email protected]. Visa processing is not among the services being offered.

Oman

Verdict: Maybe (limited service only)

Muscat is the only GCC post still offering any visa-related services, but they are heavily restricted.

The US Embassy in Muscat is providing routine American Citizen Services, limited immigrant visa services, and emergency non-immigrant visa services.

Regular B1/B2 visitor visa appointments are not available. Only emergency non-immigrant visa cases are being considered.

If you have a genuinely urgent travel need, such as medical treatment in the US or a family emergency, contact the embassy directly to ask whether your case qualifies.

What You Can Do Right Now

Monitor embassy websites directly for resumption announcements. The mid-June ceasefire has allowed Kuwait to reopen for emergency services, but no GCC embassy has announced a timeline for resuming routine visa processing — and the situation remains unstable.
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Consider applying from outside the GCC. If your US visa need is urgent and you hold a passport that allows you to travel to countries where US embassies are fully operational, that may be your fastest path. The nearest US embassies still processing visas are in Cairo and Ankara, though expect significant backlogs.
Check whether you qualify for an interview waiver. A narrow group of applicants renewing a US visa may still submit their application by courier without an in-person interview (the “dropbox” process) via ustraveldocs.com. Since 2 September 2025, this has been limited mainly to renewals in the same visa class that expired less than 12 months earlier, plus certain diplomatic and official categories — most other applicants now need an in-person interview.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.