Renew My Visa

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Overview

It is important to know that your visa may still be valid if the passport it is in expires. You can travel to the United States with your old passport containing a valid visa and your new, valid passport.

To facilitate the renewal process for tourist and business visas, the Consular Section accepts renewal applications for some visa applicants without requiring a personal interview. In many cases, applicants do not need to appear at the Embassy at all. 

However, to be able to qualify for the renewal process, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Your visa is either unexpired, or expired less than four years (48 months) ago;
  • You are applying for another visa of the same type as your previous visa;
  • You have complied with the terms of your previous visa;
  • You must normally and legally reside in Algeria (foreign residents should present their residency card at the time of the appointment).

How to Apply for Visa Renewal Service

Step 1: DS-160 Application

Determine your visa type by reading Common Nonimmigrant Visas. Each visa type explains the qualifications and application items. Choose the visa type that applies to your situation.

Be sure to also review the Visa Waiver Program. If your country of citizenship participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need to apply for a visa if you are traveling for business or pleasure and will only be staying in the Unites States for 90 days or less.

Complete the Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.

Step 2:  Update Profile

Log-in to our online applicant system to create a profile and select courier service options (if available).  Please ensure all your personal and contact information on your www.ustraveldocs.com profile is correct otherwise there will be delays in your visa application processing. 

As you go through the process you will answer the interview waiver questions which will evaluate your eligibility to apply for a visa without an interview. You will also be prompted to select the courier location where you will dropoff and pickup your documents. 

Step 3:  Make Payment

You will be prompted to pay the visa application (MRV) fee using the payment options available in your country of application. 

Step 4:  Print Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter

After you enter your MRV fee payment receipt on your profile you will have access to Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter if you qualify to renew your visa. Otherwise you will be directed to the interview appointment calendar. 

Gather all the required documents listed on the interview wavier confirmation letter, including your DS-160 confirmation page, MRV fee receipt, current and previous passports, photo, and a letter explaining your travel purpose and itinerary. Depending on the visa category, you may require additional documentation and a reciprocity fee. Please refer to your specific visa category page for additional required documents.

Step 5:  Go to Courier Location

Go to one of the courier locations specified  here with your required documents.

Step 6:  Delivery to Consulate

The courier will deliver your documents to the U.S. Embassy.

Step 7:  Passport Retrieval

At the end of the visa adjudication process, the U.S. Embassy will return your documents and your passport to you at the chosen document delivery address in your profile. You will receive an email and SMS once your documents are ready for pickup at the courier location you selected. 

Important Note: The use of the mail-in service does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, applicants may still be required to appear for a visa interview.

Renewals for Children under the Age of 14 and Adults over the Age of 79

If you are renewing your visa in accordance with the above requirements, and you are a child under the age of 14 and an adult over the age of 79, then you do not need to be physically present to renew your visa.  These applicants are not required to have their fingerprints taken, and for that reason, a family member or other representative can deposit the passport with the visa to be renewed.

Provide All Your Passports

If you are renewing your visa, please remember to provide all your current and expired passports.  Applicants with dual nationalities should present passports for both countries.  It is important that you provide all your passports when you apply for your visa renewal so that the consular officer can review your travel patterns for the complete time period.  If you do not provide all requested passports, you could be required to complete a personal interview in order to decide your case.

Note: It is not necessary to submit your expired passport (with U.S. visa) if you submitted it for passport renewal and it was not returned to you.

General Information

If the passport containing the visa has expired, you will need to first renew the passport, and then deposit both the new and all old passports at the Consular section.  Additionally, all applicants must pay the visa fee, and bring a printed copy of the confirmation page of the online DS-160 form as well as a 2x2 color photograph.

NOTE: Please keep in mind that submitting an application under this visa renewal service does not guarantee approval of a visa.  The adjudication of all visa applications must comply with all U.S. rules and regulations regarding visa issuance.

Apply for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa