Preparing for the Visa Interview
You will receive written confirmation of the date and time of the scheduled appointment and the receipt for the MRV application by email within approximately one hour of booking the appointment. If the email is not received, we suggest that you check your spam filter. If that proves unsuccesful please either call the Operator Assisted Information Service in order for them to retransmit the email or download the appointment confirmation letter from the Embassy website.
You must bring the Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Confirmation letter and MRV Fee receipt with you for presentation to the security guards at the gate. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the appointment.
Access to the Embassy
Only applicants with a scheduled appointment will be admitted into the Embassy. The exception being children under the age of 18 accompanied by a parent, translators and assistants for the disabled. If you require assistance, please give the name of the person who will accompany you to the operator when callling to schedule the appointment.
The Interview
On the day of your interview, a set of your fingerprints will be electronically scanned. If you have a cut or blister on any of your fingers or thumbs, your application will not be processed. You will be required to reschedule an appointment for a later date.
What happens if I am late for the appointment?
Applicants who arrive at the Embassy more than 30 minutes after their scheduled appointment will not be seen by a consular officer. They will be required to reschedule a new appointment for another day.
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How long can I expect to be at the Embassy?
You should anticipate being at the Embassy for approximately two to three hours.
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Is there disabled access at the Embassy?
Applicants with prearranged appointments are asked to bring a friend, relative or carer if they are disabled and require assistance. Nonimmigrant visa applicants should provide the Operator Assisted Information Service with the name of that person when calling to schedule an appointment for an interview. Immigrant visa applicants should call the Operator Assisted Information Service to notify them of the name of the person accompanying them.
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How will my passport be returned to me?
All visaed passports will be returned to the applicant by Secure Mail Services (SMS), a courier agency contracted to the U.S. Embassy. SMS has a desk located in the Visa Branch Waiting Room. On the day of the visa interview you will be required to purchase an envelope for the return of your passport once visa processing has been completed. The fee for the courier service starts at £14:50; payable by credit or debit card or in cash.
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How long will my application take to process?
The average visa processing time for successful applicants is five business days, (the period is five to ten business days for petition based applicants - O, P, H, L, Q-1 and R) during which time the applicant's passport must remain with the Embassy. Once processed your visa and passport will be handed to the courier company, Secure Mail Services (SMS) for delivery. Applicants who are advised at the visa interview that their application requires additional processing should allow approximately 90 days for their application to be processed. However, in some cases, processing can extend to six months or longer. Once processing has been completed, the applicant will be contacted for the passport. A further four weeks should be allowed for the visa to be issued and the passport returned.
While the visa is being processed, there is no mechanism for "status checks". We will not respond by email to inquiries concerning cases pending at this office for less than the times specified. Please do not call the Operator Assisted Information Line or SMS as they will not have the ability to trace a package that has not yet left the Embassy.
Please note that the processing times quoted are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. It is important that you keep this in mind when applying for the visa. It is not be possible to expedite a case simply because an applicant has not allowed sufficient time for the application to be processed.
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I cannot wait for my passport to be returned to me by courier.
Visa processing will not be completed on the day of the interview, therefore, it will not be possible to hand back your passport. Your passport will be handed to SMS once we have completed processing. Once SMS is in possession of the passport, it will be possible to arrange with them for expedited delivery.
We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel and do not make final travel plans until the visa has been issued and they are in receipt of their passport.
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Visa Interview
