The Non-Immigrant Visa Unit is pleased to announce that, in order
to assist visa applicants in securing visa interviews prior to the beginning
of the summer peak season demand period, it is establishing unscheduled,
first-come first-served afternoon interview slots during the months of
March and April for non-immigrant visa interviews.
A Visa with Ease
During the months of June, July and August, however, there
may be unavoidable delays of four to six weeks to get a visa appointment,
so persons who may wish to travel to the United States during the peak period
are encouraged to apply early.
To encourage early applications, the U.S. Embassy has agreed to accept 100 to
150 visa applicants in the afternoons, Monday through Thursday, on a first-come,
first-served basis, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. During this time, the Non-Immigrant
Visa Unit will accept applications for all non-immigrant visa categories. Applicants
using this expanded service will not be served before 1:00 and those persons
who are not accepted for an interview because the interview quota has been reached
should try again on another day.
As Easy as 1, 2, 3 ...
Application: Go to the U.S.
Embassy website for information regarding
the category of visa that may be appropriate for you. Download the electronic
visa application form. We now require prospective applicants to fill
their applications out online, print a copy of the application and bring
the copy with them when they apply.
Filling out the application online does not mean that
it is automatically transmitted to the U.S. Embassy. Only when the online application is printed out and brought
into our consular offices will the information be scanned into our system.
Thus, if corrections need to be made applicants may do so at the Embassy.
Handwritten applications cannot be scanned into our system. That is why filling
out the application online saves time for both applicants and U.S. consular
officers. Online applications ensure that applicants are processed faster,
and have less waiting time.
Photographs: We remind applicants to pay close attention
to photograph requirements as listed on the website. Often applicants are turned
away because they have the wrong type of photograph. Many camera shops that
process passport photographs are aware of the requirements for a U.S. visa
application: A 5 cm x 5 cm recent, high quality, clear, color photograph for
each applicant showing full face forward against a white background (no photographs
with dark glasses or head-coverings other than religious wear which shows face,
ears, and hairline).
Necessary documents and information: The Embassy website
lists documents which are required for the application process. However, in
many cases other supporting documents may be required. Applicants should make
sure to bring in any and all supporting documents/information, which may be
relevant to their application (e.g., old passports, employment letters, bank
statements, statement of salary, employment contract, etc.). Applicants will
also need to know the exact address and phone number of the place where they
will be staying, even when this is a hotel.
The above
list, as well as the one listed on the website is not an exhaustive list. Depending
on the situation of the applicants, additional documents may be required. Applicants
should use their best judgment in determining what documents or information will
be necessary to support their application as well as refer to the website for
the documentation required for their particular visa category.
Fee: Go to 77 branches of the post office and pay the
$100 MRV fee.
Arrival at Embassy: Come in to the U.S. Embassy between
the hours of 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. (The Embassy
is located on 71 Hayarkon Street in Tel Aviv.) No appointment is necessary.
Please remember that applicants who arrive after 2:30 p.m. will not be processed.
Documents will be pre-screened by consular employees to make sure all requirements
have been met. Applicants with unsatisfactory documents will be asked to
leave and come back after correct documents are procured.
Interview: At the start of the interview applicants will be asked to do a finger
scan. The finger scanning process takes less than 30 seconds to complete
but is an important part of the interview process. Finger scanning is a very
effective method of protecting our borders, making it safer for applicants
to travel, and making the United States a safe place for a visit.
Issuance and validity: If the applicant is issued a visa,
in most cases it will be available the same day. Passports
should take no more than 48 hours to arrive at the applicant's home. Some visas
may take longer to process and these applicants will be asked to return at
a later date.
The validity of the visa is not the amount of time an applicant may
remain in the United States. The time allowed in the U.S. will be determined
by immigration officials upon presentation of the visa at the port of entry.
The validity of your visa is simply the period that it may be used to apply for
admission to the United States. During its validity period, the U.S. visa remains
usable even if the passport in which it is contained expires. To use the U.S. visa,
applicants must simply travel with both the expired passport (containing the
valid visa) and the new passport.
Additional processing: Some applicants who are otherwise qualified will not
receive their visa the same day because of additional processing requirements.
This is not a permanent refusal of the applicant. Applicants who require additional
processing will be notified by telephone or e-mail when this processing is finished
so that they can come in for their visa. The time for this processing varies
and we cannot give a time frame for its completion.
Refusal: Of course, not all applicants who apply for a visa
are eligible to receive one and, thus, will be refused. All refused applicants
are given a letter explaining the refusal. Refused applicants may reapply at
a later date. Most refusals are based on the present situation of the applicant
and it is unlikely that the applicant's
situation will change in a short time. For more information on eligibility,
refer to our website. Unfortunately, we cannot refund fees paid by any applicant
who has been refused a visa.
