Renew My Visa

Overview

As of December 1, 2017, applicants who wish to renew their visa do not need to physically come to the Embassy. Applicants may now send their documents through Cargo Expreso by appointment long as they meet the requirements detailed below.

The Embassy of the United States is currently accepting visa renewal applications through Cargo Expreso under the interview waiver process, this process uses an appointment system by which applicants choose a day to drop off their applications at the Cargo Expreso location of their choice.

Applicants using the interview waiver will also see significant waiting times to schedule their drop-off appointment at a Cargo Expreso location. Plan your trip accordingly.

Qualifications

You may be eligible for the Interview Waiver if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are applying to renew a visa.
  • Your most recent visa is still valid or expired less than 48 months ago.
  • Your most recent B1/B2 visa was valid for 10 years.
  • Your most recent visa application for the same visa category that you are currently seeking to renew was approved
  • Your last visa has not been stolen, lost or damaged.
  • Your last visa has not been canceled or revoked.
  • You are a Salvadoran citizen or a permanent resident of El Salvador. If you are a permanent resident of El Salvador, you must submit proof of residency along with your application.

You will NOT be eligible for a the Interview Waiver if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • You have never had a U.S. visa
  • You have a U.S. visa that expired more than 48 months ago
  • Your last valid visa was cancelled or revoked
  • You lost your previous passport that had a valid or expired U.S. visa

The H2B or H2A visa applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Applying for the first time or if you have a valid H2B or H2A visa (or if it has expired in the last 24 months) and you are applying for the same type of visa.

The H1B1, C1/D, P or R visa applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Applying for a renewal of a visa that has expired in the last 24 months and you are applying for the same type of visa.

The F, M and academic J visa applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Must have previously been issued any type of U.S. visa. In addition, the most recent visa application cannot have been refused for any reason and there cannot be any indication of a visa ineligibility.

If you are found not eligible for the Interview Waiver you can request a visa using the regular process

How to apply

Step 1
Create a profile in our system. Follow this link and click on “New User”.  Complete all fields and create a password.

Step 2
Complete the DS-160 form. Be sure to read the Guidelines for Completing the DS-160 Form carefully. All information must be correct and accurate. Once the form is submitted, you cannot make any changes. You will need your DS-160 number to book your appointment.  Please note that the call center cannot help you complete your DS-160.

Step 3

Pay the visa fee. The visa fee page lists the visa types and correlating visa fee in US dollars and local currency.  To pay your visa fee, read the Bank and Payment Options page. This page explains how to make your visa fee payment. You must keep your receipt number to book your visa appointment.

Step 4
Schedule an appointment.  Log in and click on “Schedule Appointment” on the left-hand side of your screen.  For each applicant you will need:

  • The applicant's passport number
  • The receipt number from Banco Cuscatlan. (Click here if you need help finding this number.)
  • The ten (10) digit barcode number from the applicant's DS-160 confirmation page

In the system, you will be able to select your visa type, enter personal data, add dependents, select your document delivery location, and confirm visa payment.  The system will ask multiple questions in order to verify if the applicant meets all the requirements for the Interview Waiver.

NOTE: If you qualify for the Interview Waiver, you will receive a confirmation letter at the end of the scheduling process, which contains a list of documents required.  Print two copies of the Interview Waiver confirmation letter and submit the documents listed previously.

Step 5

Mail your documents to the Embassy.  Go to the Cargo Expreso branch that you selected with the following documents:

  1. 2 copies of the Interview Waiver confirmation letter. One copy of this letter will need to be attached to the outside of the envelope in which you will submit the documents.
  2. Current passport
  3. Your old passport if your last visa is not in your current passport.
  4. DS-160 confirmation sheet
  5. 5cm x 5cm photograph taken within the last six months
  6. For H2B, H2A, H1B1, P and R visas you must include a copy of the approved petition (I-797) or the approval notice email from USCIS, and if you stayed after the expiration of your visa, provide copies of all approved or pending extensions of stay (I-129).
  7. For C1/D visas you must include a letter from your employer.
  8. For F, M and academic J visas include a copy of the I-20 and a copy of SEVIS payment.

The shipping of the documentation is per applicant, if you apply with your family you must send an envelope with all the mentioned documents per person, even if the applicant is a minor.

Cargo Expreso will send all documents to the US Embassy and return the passport to the agency you previously selected. If you have any questions about the visa renewal process please contact our call center in the following link: Contact Us

Apply for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa.