U.S. Consular Offices Prepare for Y2K Emergencies

As a consequence of the so-called Y2K "bug," some automated systems throughout the world may experience problems - including unpredictable system malfunctions - on or about January 1, 2000. The U.S. Department of State is preparing its embassies and consulates worldwide for continual operation through the beginning of the new year. U.S. embassies and consulates will be ready to assist American citizens in emergency circumstances. Their ability to assist may be affected by local Y2K disruptions.

In order for American embassies and consulates to be ready to deal with problems affecting American citizens abroad, non-immigrant visa services will be suspended for the first two business days of January 2000, and possibly longer in some locations. The American Embassy in Tallinn will suspend non-immigrant visa services on Monday and Tuesday, January 3and 4, and possibly longer. Persons needing U.S. non-immigrant visa services for travel early in the year 2000 should seek those services in December 1999.

Public immigrant visa services will be suspended for the first two weeks of January 2000 (NOTE: Estonians obtain immigrant visa services at the American Embassy in Helsinki, Finland). Individuals whose immigrant visa services were scheduled for the first weeks of January 2000 will be rescheduled as soon as possible for later in January.