A comprehensive guide on how to request an emergency visa interview and what to expect during the process.
If you are planning to travel to the United States and require a visa, it is essential to plan ahead to avoid any delays or complications. However, unexpected situations can arise, such as medical emergencies or urgent business meetings that require immediate travel. In such cases, you may need to request an emergency visa appointment with the U.S. Consulate.
In this blog, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to request an emergency visa interview and what to expect during the process.
Are you qualify for an emergency appointment?
An emergency visa appointment is only granted in exceptional cases, and you must provide evidence of the emergency. You may qualify for an emergency appointment if:
You require urgent medical treatment in the United States, or a close family member requires immediate medical treatment.
You have an urgent business meeting that cannot be completed on time and requires your physical presence in the U.S.
You have a family member in the U.S. who is seriously ill or has passed away, and you need to visit them or attend a funeral.
You are a refugee or asylum seeker and have urgent reasons for travel.
You are required to appear in a U.S. Court hearing.
You have been denied ESTA or are no longer eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.
You are a student or exchange visitor who is pursuing a degree program starting in the next 60 days.
Process of requesting an emergency appointment
It is essential to have documentary evidence to support your urgency before applying for an expedited appointment. Misrepresenting the reasons for urgent travel during your visa interview can lead to such information being recorded on your case file, which could have a negative impact on the decision of your visa application.
To obtain an expedited appointment, applicants must pay the visa fees for a regular appointment beforehand. However, if an applicant is refused a visa or misses their interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate after being granted an expedited appointment, they will not be able to use this option to schedule another expedited appointment.
To request an emergency visa appointment, you must follow these steps:
Visit the website of the U.S. Consulate in your country and check if they offer emergency visa appointments.
Fill out the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form, pay the visa fee, and schedule a regular visa appointment.
Contact the U.S. Consulate via email or phone to request an emergency appointment. Be prepared to explain the nature of your emergency and provide evidence to support your request.
The U.S. Consulate will review your request and decide whether to grant or deny your request for an emergency appointment. If your request is granted, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to attend your appointment.
Types of evidence required
To support your request for an emergency appointment, you must provide evidence demonstrating your travel's urgency. The evidence required will vary depending on the reason for your emergency request. Some of the documents you may need to provide include:
Medical Emergency - A letter from a medical professional that explains the nature of the emergency, the treatment required, and the urgency of your travel.
Business Meetings - A letter from your employer that explains the purpose of your travel, the urgency of your attendance, and the consequences of delaying your trip.
Family Emergency - A death certificate or a letter from a family member that explains the nature of the emergency, the relationship between you and the family member, and the urgency of your travel.
Humanitarian Reasons - Documents that explain the urgency of your travel, such as a letter from a humanitarian organization or a court order.
Study - You are a student or exchange visitor (F, M, or J visa holders only) who (1) is pursuing a degree program that starts in the next 60 days and (2) was not denied a visa within the last six months. English language programs do not qualify for expedites, and exchanges are not for business exchanges, conferences, or meetings.
ESTA Denial - If your application in ESTA, which is the automated system that determines eligibility for visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Wavier Program, was rejected or denied, then you may qualify for an expedited appointment.
Documents required for the appointment
When attending your emergency visa appointment, you will need to bring the following documents:
A valid passport.
The confirmation page of your DS-160 application.
The payment receipt for your visa application fee.
The confirmation email that you received from the U.S. Consulate for your appointment.
Any additional documents that the U.S. Consulate requested as evidence of your emergency.
Requesting an emergency visa appointment with the U.S. Consulate can be a stressful process, but it is essential if you have urgent reasons for travel. By following the steps outlined in this blog and providing the required evidence, you can increase your chances of obtaining an expedited appointment.
If you would like SuperVisas to help expedite your visa appointment, you can start the process here.
