Visa Services News New Offsite Data Collection Service
How will the new process be different from the current process?
*New Visa Services begin on January 10, 2011
Category |
Current Service |
New Service |
Appointment Call Center |
Applicant pays USD 26 to schedule appointments. |
Free service |
Application Cost |
Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees |
No Change |
Application Payment |
Banamex |
Banamex, Scotiabank, or Credit Card |
DS-160 Online Application |
Application must be completed on-line in one session |
Application progress can be saved over several on-line sessions |
Interview Waiver Program
|
Many applicants who are renewing laser visa are not required to come to the Consulate for an interview with a Consular Officer |
Program will be expanded to include other visa classes in addition to the laser visa. *See below for qualification requirements |
Appearing for your appointment |
Interview Waiver Program Participants Non-Interview Waiver Program Participants |
No change. |
Passport/Visa Delivery |
Included in appointment fee. |
Free service. |
*Interview Waiver Program (IWP)
Some applicants who are renewing their visas will not need two appointments. These applicants will only visit the ASC and will not need to visit the Embassy or Consulate.
If you meet all of the requirements below, you may be qualified for the Interview Waiver Program:
-
You are applying with a Mexican passport;
-
You are applying in the same visa category (except H2);
-
Your visa is still valid or expired less than one year ago;
-
You have never been arrested or convicted of a crime;
-
You have never been deported from the United States, denied entry to the United States, or had any other problems or difficulties with U.S. Immigration or Customs authorities; and
-
You do not have dual citizenship or your second country of citizenship is a Visa Waiver Program member (see Department of State Travel Visa Waiver Program (VWP) site )
-
For IWP participants, the passport and application will be forwarded to the Embassy or Consulate for review by a consular officer.
Please note – the Embassy or Consulate reserves the right to call in any applicant for an interview. If an applicant does require an interview, a representative from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will contact the applicant to arrange a date and time to come to the Embassy to speak with the Consular Officer.
For additional information on the new visa application process, view the following pages: