Once you have submitted your US visa application and the U.S. Embassy Visa Application Center (VAC) processed it, you have to schedule the first available interview appointment. Any person between 14 and 79 years old are required to participate in a U.S. visa interview with a consular officer.
Full Answer
Does the US visa application process include an appointment?
Despite the digital revolution, which has led to most application processes to be completed online, the US Visa application process includes an appointment in a United States embassy, which you must attend in person.
How do I schedule an emergency appointment for a US visa?
Before you can schedule your appointment, you must complete DS-160 form, pay the non-refundable visa fee, and so on. Send an emergency appointment request to the US Embassy or Consulate.
How early can you book a US visa appointment?
Schedule Your Appointment Early However, whether your case is an emergency or regular appointment, the earlier you book your appointment, the better. The US embassies recommend that applicants book their US visa appointment date days before their intended travel date. This will allow the embassy or consulate to have enough time to process the visa.
What is the first thing in the US visa application process?
This is the first thing in your application process. The form must be completed by providing answers to every required item. You cannot schedule your visa appointments without first completing the form. You will start your online visa application by choosing the location where you are to apply for your US visa.
How to get an expedited visa appointment?
In all cases: You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.
Does administrative processing include time?
These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.
Can a consular officer refuse a visa?
The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing.
How long do you have to wait to get an interview with the consulate?
First keep in mind one thing: be on time for the interview. It is likely that you will need to wait an hour or even longer before being interviewed by a consular officer. But don’t take the risk to arrive late. It’s better to be there at least 10 minutes before.
How old do you have to be to get a visa?
Any person between 14 and 79 years old is required to participate in a U.S. visa interview with a consular officer. Sometimes, if you don’t live in a capital or in a big city, finding the closest embassy to schedule an interview might be tricky. Here you can find a complete list of all U.S. Embassies all over the world.
How long is an ESTA interview?
According to the ESTA website the interview usually lasts between 5 and 15 minutes, but the appointment itself, from the wait until the end, can be very long, so plan accordingly and don’t take unnecessary risks that might severely hinder your application process.
How to use this step-by-step guide?
There are two websites for scheduling US visa appointments. Which website to use depends on the country where you plan to schedule your visa appointment
PART 1: Schedule US visa appointment in Asia, Central America, parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East
Determine the country where you plan to schedule your US visa appointment. If the country is in the below list, continue with instructions here from PART 1. If not GO TO PART 2.
PART 2: Schedule US visa appointment in North and South America, parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East
Determine the country where you plan to schedule your US visa appointment. If the country is in the below list, continue with instructions here in PART 2. If not, GO BACK TO PART 1.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If need to travel to the US urgently, you may qualify for an expedited US visa appointment. Keep in mind that you must have a strong reason and must be able to provide documentary evidence to prove it.
CONCLUSION
That’s it, folks! Follow this step-by-step guide to schedule US visa appointment. If you have any questions or stuck at any step, feel free to comment here or email me.
How long does it take to schedule a consular appointment?
Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC’s acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section. Currently, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most consular posts are operating at a limited capacity as they work through a backlog of immigrant visa applications and scheduling may take significantly longer.
How long does it take to get an appointment with NVC?
How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC’s acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.
What is the CSPA for a parent visa?
There is also a law called the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), which applies to a narrow range of cases and may allow the principal applicant's son or daughter to remain eligible under this petition. At the time of the parent's visa interview, the consular officer will determine whether or not CSPA is applicable in your particular situation.
Do you have to appear to be interviewed for a job?
No, only applicants must appear to be interviewed.
Do you have to bring original documents to the court?
Yes, you must bring the original civil documents that you scanned and submitted through CEAC. If you do not bring your originals, you will delay the processing of your case.
Can a child's visa be expedited?
Unfortunately, if visas are not available before the child's birthday , the NVC cannot expedite the case. There is also a law called the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), which applies to a narrow range of cases and may allow the principal applicant's son or daughter to remain eligible under this petition.
When is a visa available?
A visa is available to you when your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date shown for your preference category and country of chargeability in the applicable chart in the Visa Bulletin, as described above in the Acceptance of Adjustment of Status Applications section.
What is the DOS visa bulletin?
DOS, working with the Department of Homeland Security, revises the Visa Bulletin each month to estimate immigrant visa availability for prospective adjustment of status applicants. If DOS makes any changes to either chart in the Visa Bulletin after publishing it, we will review those changes and determine if any further action is necessary. Check the latest dates for filing adjustment of status applications .
What does U visa mean?
If the Visa Bulletin shows “U” in a category, this means that immigrant visas are temporarily unavailable to all applicants in that particular preference category and/or country of chargeability.
What is visa retrogression?
Sometimes, a priority date that is current one month will not be current the next month, or the cut-off date will move backward to an earlier date. This is called visa retrogression, which occurs when more people apply for a visa in a particular category than there are visas available for that month. Visa retrogression generally occurs when the annual limit for a category or country has been exhausted or is expected to run out soon. When the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, a new supply of visa numbers becomes available. Usually, but not always, the new supply returns the cut-off dates to where they were before retrogression.
What is priority date for I-130?
For family-sponsored immigrants, the priority date is the date that the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, or in certain instances the Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow (er), or Special Immigrant, is properly filed with USCIS.
Do you need a visa to become a permanent resident?
A visa must be available before you can take one of the final steps in the process of becoming a lawful permanent resident. Because more prospective immigrants want lawful permanent residency than the limited numbers of immigrant visas allow, not everyone can immediately get an immigrant visa.
How to apply for a nonimmigrant visa?
To schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment, you must have the following information and documents available: 1 A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions. If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application; 2 Your visa application (MRV) fee payment receipt; 3 Your DS-160 confirmation page; 4 Your e-mail address; and 5 If applicable, required documents based on visa class (such as a petition approval for petition-based visas; more information about visa types and information about each can be found here ).
How long does a passport last for a nonimmigrant visa?
To schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment, you must have the following information and documents available: A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions.
Where to send emergency appointment request?
Send an emergency appointment request to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This procedure varies with the country. Make sure to fill out all required fields.
Can you get a visa at an emergency appointment?
Even during an interview at an emergency appointment, you are treated as a normal visa applicant. You must qualify for a U.S. visa in every respect.
How Quickly Can I Get an Emergency Appointment for a US Visa?
You can get an emergency appointment as soon as two to five working days after you request an emergency appointment. If your request is granted, then be prepared to attend your visa appointment with all the required documents on the new emergency date.
How Quickly Can I Get an Emergency US Visa?
The processing time for your emergency visa may take up to 5 weeks. This is the same processing time as a regular visa application because the embassy may grant you an emergency appointment, but the processing time for the visa itself won’t be expedited.
How Can I Get an Emergency Visa to USA?
To get an emergency visa for the US, you have to schedule a regular visa appointment online and select “Request Expedite”. After you’ve done this, you will receive step by step instructions on how to continue. You have to make sure that your request for an emergency visa contains the following details:
What If My Request for a US Emergency Visa Is Denied?
If your request is denied, you should attend the visa interview at the original time when you submitted your application. You cannot submit another request for an emergency visa.