Apply for an Expedited Appointment

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Overview

If you have an unforeseen travel need as per one of the criteria listed below, you may qualify for an expedited appointment depending on availability at the U.S. Embassy.It is important to ensure you meet all the criteria, because applicants are only allowed to create one expedited appointment request. 

Qualifications

Before you apply for an expedited appointment, you must first schedule an appointment through the regular, appointment scheduling procedure and also ensure that you have documentary evidence to prove the urgency. Request for emergency appointments will not be considered unless an initial appointment has been scheduled online.If it appears during your visa interview that you misrepresented the reasons for urgent travel, such facts will be noted on your case file and may adversely influence the outcome of your visa application. All applicants requesting an expedited appointment are required to first pay visa fees for a regular visa appointment. Applicants who are granted an expedited appointment but subsequently refused a visa at the U.S. Embassy will not be allowed to utilize this option to obtain another expedited appointment for the same purpose of travel.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

Generally, only requests falling into the following categories will be considered for an emergency appointment:

  1. Humanitarian request for immediate family members traveling to meet and assist a seriously ill relative or to assist with a family emergency.
  2. Students (F-1, M-1 ), exchange visitor (J-1) who have not been refused a visa in the last 12 months and if there are no online appointments available in time for the expected start date of your program or you are a returning student/exchange visitor.
  3. Business travelers who are attending specific meetings at the written request of an U.S. company, who are not traveling for general purposes or for mixed meeting and pleasure purposes.
Medical Need

Purpose of travel is to obtain urgent medical care, or to accompany a relative or employer for urgent medical care.

Essential documentation:

  • A letter from your doctor describing the medical condition and why you are seeking medical care in the United States.
  • A letter from the physician or hospital in the United States indicating that they are prepared to treat the case and providing the approximate cost of the treatment.
  • Evidence of how you will pay for the cost of the treatment.
Funeral/Death

Purpose of travel is to attend the funeral of or make arrangements for repatriating the body of an immediate family member (mother, father, brother, sister, child,) in the United States.

Essential documentation:

  • A letter from the funeral director stating the contact information, the details of the deceased, and the date of the funeral.
  • You must also present evidence that the deceased is an immediate relative.
Urgent Business Travel

Purpose of travel is to attend to an urgent business matter where the travel requirement could not be predicted in advance.

Essential documentation:

  • A letter of invitation from the corresponding company in the United States attesting to the urgency of the planned visit, describing the nature of the business and that either the U.S. or local company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an expedited appointment is not available.

or

  • Evidence of a necessary training program in the United States of three months duration or less, to include letters from both the local employer and the U.S. company providing the training. Both letters should include a detailed explanation of the training and explain why either the U.S. or local company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an expedited appointment is not available.
Students or exchange visitors

Purpose of travel is to begin or resume a valid program of study in the United States within 60 days when no regular visa appointments are available. This option is limited only to students and exchange students who are within 60 days of their start date.

Essential documentation:

  • Original Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 indicating start date of program within 60 days.
  • Evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee (when applicable).

ESTA Denied

You may request an expedited visa appointment if you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program partner but have received notice that you are no longer eligible to travel to the United States under that program. Such travelers include those who are dual nationals of Iraq, Iran, Sudan or Syria, or those who have travelled to Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, or Somalia after March 1, 2011.  Your travel must be imminent to qualify for an expedited appointment. Please include in your request the date and purpose of your travel. 

Essential documentation:

  • A copy of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection message you received regarding your ESTA status.

Applying for an Expedited Appointment

Step 1

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

Step 2

Pay the visa application fee.

Step 3

Schedule an appointment online for the earliest available date. Please note that you must schedule an appointment before you can request an expedited date. At the time you schedule your appointment, you will see an onscreen message showing the earliest available appointment date, which includes expedited appointments. Accordingly, you may find that it is not necessary to request an expedited appointment because there are no earlier dates available.

If you wish to proceed with requesting an expedited appointment, then complete the Expedited Request Form in English or contact the call center to request assistance. Please be sure to note the type of urgency you believe qualifies you for an expedited appointment. Once you have submitted your request, please wait for a response from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate which will arrive via email.

Step 4

If the U.S. Embassy or Consulate approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your expedited appointment online. Please understand that the call center cannot schedule your expedited appointment for you, but agents are able to assist you if questions arise. Should the U.S. Embassy or Consulate deny your request for an expedited appointment, you will be notified of the denial by email and you should keep your existing appointment.

Note: The email confirming or denying your request will come from no-reply@ustraveldocs.com. Some email applications have rules which filter unknown senders into a spam or junk mail folder. If you have not received your email notification, please look for the message in your junk and spam email folders.

Step 5

Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the date and time of your scheduled visa interview. Each applicant should bring the following:

  1. A valid passport and any old passports even if they are expired;
  2. A printed copy of your appointment confirmation letter;
  3. A printed copy of your visa application confirmation page, form DS-160;
  4. Visa application fee receipt from CATHAY UNITED BANK OR VFS GLOBAL;
  5. One new photograph taken within the last six months, facing the camera, showing ears, size 2x2 inches, on a white background
  6. Any supporting documents you wish to submit with your visa application.

Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.