January 9, 2002. - The visa issuing units at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela will close for routine applications effective Monday January 20 until further notice. The closure was prompted by the current crisis affecting the country which has caused a major reduction in Embassy staffing levels.

During the shutdown, only limited nonimmigrant visa services will be offered for documented emergency humanitarian and medical cases, high-level Venezuelan officials and diplomats, third-country diplomats who are accredited to Venezuela, and the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens who wish to depart Venezuela temporarily. Updated information will be posted at the Embassy's website:

http://embajadausa.org.ve/wwwhmain.html