What is a U.S. Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship. This is also called a Consular Processing or consular Processing of Nonimmigrant Visa.
Visa interview appointment Wait Time
A wait time listed as “999 calendar days” indicates that the Consular Section is only providing that service to emergency cases. Please check the Embassy or Consulate website for further information. Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to check the wait time:
The estimated wait time to receive an interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate can change weekly and is based on actual incoming workload and staffing. These are estimates only and do not guarantee the availability of an appointment.
Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment
Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier 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.
Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.
Administrative Processing
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.
Administrative Processing Information
There are only two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications. 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. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. The officer may also conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.
Important Notice: Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.
About Visa Processing Wait Times – Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.
In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.
Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.
In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.
What does it control a U.S. visa or I-94?
The U.S. visa a permit to enter into the U.S. however an immigration officer at the port of entry will still examine for your eligibility for lawful entry into the U.S. Therefore, visa is for the purpose of entry into the U.S. whereas I-94 document, which is automatically generated online since 2013, is the evidence of your “lawful status” in the U.S. and duration on I-94 controls your period of authorized stay. One must always download and print I-94 right away and report any error to nearest U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) office or one can call too. One must also “always carry” a copy of I-94 while remaining in the U.S.
How long does a foreign passport should be valid for during stay in the U.S.?
Generally, a foreign passport must be valid for the “entire” duration of proposed stay in the U.S. Generally, it must be valid for six (6) months beyond the period of proposed stay in the U.S. be it for 6 months or 36 months.
The U.S. laws also require that a foreign citizen must always have a “valid passport” during the entire stay in the U.S. Therefore, foreign passport should always be up to date. We recommend the passports are renewed timely, at least 12 months advance, so that there will not be any gap in passport validity period.
A foreign passport which has a validity for a six or shorter may only receive I-94 only for the duration of the passport even if one has a longer visa duration or I-797 Approval Notice. This I-94 duration will control one’s lawful status in the U.S. Therefore, it is not wise to travel with a passport which is going to expire soon.
How long does a foreign passport should be valid while seeking a U.S. visa or seeking an entry?
Generally, a foreign passport must be valid for the “entire” duration of proposed stay in the U.S. Generally, it must be valid for six (6) months beyond the period of proposed stay in the U.S. be it for 6 months or 36 months. In some cases, U.S. Embassy or Consulate will accept passport with a shorter validity period but it has its own inherent challenges.
The U.S. laws require that a foreign citizen must always have a “valid passport” during the entire stay in the U.S. Therefore, foreign passport should always be up to date not just at the time of seeking a visa or an entry but during the period of stay in the U.S. too.
A foreign passport which has a validity for a six or shorter may only receive I-94 only for the duration of the passport even if one has a longer visa duration or I-797 Approval Notice. This I-94 duration will control one’s lawful status in the U.S. Therefore, it is not wise to travel with a passport which is going to expire soon.
Consular processing of visa involve analyzing your eligibility for the visa and preparing and collecting evidence required to prove the case, therefore, you may be better served by retaining an immigration lawyer. Write us to schedule a consultation for requesting Change of Status and give us a call at (+1) 202-600-7742