Routine US visa services in the UAE have been suspended since 1 March 2026, and the US Mission has not announced when they will resume. That does not mean a 2027 trip to the United States is off. It means planning differently: using a visa you already hold, using ESTA if your passport allows it, interviewing in your country of nationality, or getting your file ready so you can move quickly when UAE services return. This guide explains each route honestly, season by season.
What the US Mission says today
- On 1 March 2026 the US Mission to the UAE published that routine US visa services in the UAE are currently suspended, and that applicants whose appointments were cancelled will be contacted when routine services resume.
- Its visa page says the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai are open, but routine visa processing is not available in the UAE.
- The same page asks nonimmigrant applicants to schedule their interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality.
- Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective 1 January 2026, suspends or limits visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries. Applicants from those countries can still apply but may be found ineligible.
We check the Mission’s page before every consultation. If anything changes, we update this guide.
Four routes to the US in 2027
1. You already hold a valid US visa
A valid B1/B2 visa in your current or old passport can still be used for travel, provided it has not expired and the purpose of your trip matches the visa. Check the expiry date and the number of entries now. If it expires before your 2027 trip, you will need one of the routes below. See how US visa validity works.
2. Your passport qualifies for ESTA
If you hold a passport from a Visa Waiver Program country, such as the UK, Germany, France or Australia, you may be able to travel for tourism or business on an ESTA instead of a visa. ESTA is an online authorisation from US Customs and Border Protection and does not depend on the UAE posts. It is not a visa, and some travellers are not eligible. Use our ESTA eligibility check or read the ESTA guide.
3. Interview in your country of nationality
The US Department of State asks nonimmigrant applicants to apply in their country of nationality or residence. With UAE processing suspended, your country of nationality is the practical option. This is a legitimate route, not a loophole, but it needs planning: you must be in that country for the interview, and published wait times there vary widely and change over time. Choosing an unrelated third country because its calendar looks shorter is generally not an option.
4. Get ready for resumption
If you want to interview in the UAE, the useful work now is preparation. When services return, demand will be high, and a complete file means you can act the moment appointments open.
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay.
- Gather proof of ties to the UAE: employment letter, salary certificate, tenancy contract and bank statements. See how UAE residents prove ties.
- Collect previous US visas and travel history, and note any past refusals.
- Do not pay the visa fee until you know where you will interview. The Mission states that visa application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Planning by season
| When you want to travel | Realistic routes today | What to do now |
|---|---|---|
| December 2026 holidays | Valid existing visa or ESTA only | Check expiry dates and ESTA eligibility this week |
| Spring 2027 (Eid al-Fitr in March, spring break 5 to 11 April) | Existing visa, ESTA, or a home-country interview | If using the home-country route, research that post’s wait time now and plan a trip home around the interview |
| Summer 2027 (schools close 2 July) | All of the above, plus a UAE interview only if services resume in time | Prepare your file by the end of 2026 so you can move on any route |
| US university intake, August and September 2027 | F-1 interview in country of nationality, or the UAE if services resume | F-1 visas can be issued up to 365 days before your course starts; plan the interview as soon as you have your I-20 |
For a detailed summer and student timeline, see our summer 2027 US visa timeline.
Be wary of guaranteed slots
Some advertising in the UAE still offers guaranteed or 24-hour US appointments in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. While routine processing is suspended, no agency can book a routine interview in the UAE. Genuine emergencies are handled by the Mission itself, with evidence. If someone promises a routine UAE slot for money, ask them to show you where the appointment will take place before you pay.
How FastUSTravel helps
We handle B1, B2, F1 and F2 visas, and ESTA, which is a travel authorisation rather than a visa. Right now that means checking whether your existing visa or ESTA covers your trip, mapping the home-country route for your nationality, and preparing your DS-160 and supporting file so it is ready for whichever route you use. We do not handle work, immigrant or transit visas, and the decision on any visa belongs to the consular officer. Tell us your nationality and travel dates and we will set out your options.
Related guides: applying for a US visa in your home country and Proclamation 10998 and which nationalities are affected.
Frequently asked questions
Is the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi open for tourist visas?
The Embassy and the Dubai Consulate are open, but routine visa processing is not available in the UAE. Routine visa services have been suspended since 1 March 2026. Genuine emergencies are handled separately by the Mission, with evidence.
When will US visa appointments resume in the UAE?
No date has been announced. The Mission says it will post updates on its website and contact applicants whose appointments were cancelled when routine services resume.
Can I apply for a US visa in my home country while living in the UAE?
Yes. The US Department of State asks nonimmigrant applicants to apply in their country of nationality or residence, so interviewing in your country of nationality is an accepted route.
Can I use ESTA instead of a visa?
Only if your passport is from a Visa Waiver Program country and you are eligible. ESTA covers short tourism and business trips. It does not cover study, and some travellers must apply for a visa even with an eligible passport.
Should I pay the US visa fee now so I am ready?
Not until you know where you will interview. The Mission states that visa application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Does my existing US visa still work while services are suspended?
The suspension affects new applications processed in the UAE. A valid visa you already hold can still be used for travel, subject to the usual checks at the US border.
Sources
- US Mission UAE, suspension of routine visa services, 1 March 2026: https://ae.usembassy.gov/cancellation-of-visa-and-u-s-citizen-services-appointments-due-to-security-situation/
- US Embassy and Consulate in the UAE, visas: https://ae.usembassy.gov/visas/
- US Department of State, adjudicating NIV applicants in their country of residence: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/adjudicating-niv-applicants-in-their-country-of-residence.html
- US Department of State, student visas: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
All sources checked on 24 September 2026.
