Courier Service

In the interests of security and expediency, the U.S. Embassy has entered into a contract with Secure Mail Services (SMS), a private courier agency, to provide courier services to individuals applying for U.S. visas and U.S. passports at the Consular Section.

Nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applicants who attend the Embassy for an interview with a consular officer will have their passports returned to them by Secure Mail Services (SMS), a courier agency contracted to the U.S. Embassy; there is no other method of delivery available. Envelopes for the return of the passports will be on sale from the SMS in the Visa Branch waiting room on the day of the interview. Applicants will be required to purchase an envelope after the visa interview. Fees for this service begin at £14:00, payable by debit or credit card or in cash. SMS provide next workday delivery for most areas of the United Kingdom once the passport has been released to them. Further information will be available from SMS on the day of your interview.

Nonimmigrant visa applicants eligible to apply for a visa by mail or those who have been notified that they are required to submit additional documents in order for the application to be processed are required to use the services of SMS for the delivery of their documents to and from the Embassy. You may call SMS on 08709 501760 or visit their website for further information.

U.S. citizens seeking passport services should visit the U.S. passport section of this website for further information.

Why is the use of SMS a requirement of the visa application process?

Security and expediency. SMS provides for the secure delivery of documents to and from the Embassy. They also offer next workday delivery for most of the United Kingdom once they are in receipt of the passport.

If the passport is being returned by a courier service, can I expect to receive it the next workday?

The Embassy does not offer a same day visa service. Routine visa processing takes approximately 5 workdays, petition based applications (O, P, H, L & Q-1) 5 - 10 workdays. Your passport will not be released to SMS until the application has been processed. Applicants who are advised at the time of their interview that their application requires additional administrative processing should allow 60 days for their application to be processed. Their passport will be handed back to them while the Embassy conducts the administrative processing. The Embassy will notify the applicant when they are ready to proceed with the application. The applicant will then be required to contact SMS to arrange for the delivery of their passport to and from the Embassy. You may call SMS on 08709 501760 or visit their website for further information.

How can I check on the progress of my application?

If more than 7 days has passed since attending the visa interview or 10 days if a petition based application, you may wish to contact SMS on the telephone number that you will have been provided quoting the tracking number that they will have given you. At this point the Embassy and its visa information call center will not be able to track your envelope, and you must communicate with SMS directly. However, when checking the progress of your application you must take into account that the documents will not be released to the courier until processing has been completed.

Will they accept a check, or credit or debit card for the fee?

SMS accepts debit cards and most credit cards. They will also accept cash if you purchase their services on the day of the interview.

What if my visa is not issued?

Envelopes are purchased at the end of the visa interview process. Those whose application is unsuccessful, will not be required to purchase an envelope.

I am eligible to apply for a visa by mail. Am I required to use the courier service?

Yes. If you are eligible to apply for a visa by mail, or have been requested to furnish additional documents for your application to be processed, you must send your application to the Embassy by SMS. Please either call SMS on 08709 501760 or visit their website for further information. It is your responsibility to carefully review the requirement for submitting an application in this manner, as the SMS courier charges are not refundable, and cannot be applied to a personal appearance if your mail-in application if found to have been submitted in error.

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