Appointments for visa stamping at some US Embassies and Consulates abroad remain backlogged. Please note that each consulate has its own practices, and that you are responsible for following the consulate’s instructions for scheduling an appointment, and presenting the specific documentation requested. Some consulates have guidance for requesting an expedited appointment, while others are not considering emergency appointment requests. Some consulates permit Third Country National processing, allowing individuals to apply for visa appointments at consulates outside of their countries of citizenship.
If you will apply for a new visa stamp this winter, you are responsible for scheduling the appointment on your own and informing your academic department that your return to the US may be delayed if your visa stamp is not issued in a timely manner. Please keep in mind that it will likely be an additional 3-5 days after your appointment before your passport is returned to you with your new visa stamp.
Waiver of Interview Requirement
You may qualify to have your visa stamp issued to you without attending an in-person interview if you meet the following conditions:
- You are applying for a visa stamp in the same nonimmigrant category under which you have previously been issued a visa stamp
- You have a visa stamp in the same category that expired within the last 12 months.**
**A provision extending visa waiver eligibility to those with visa stamps that have expired within the last 48 months is currently in place but set to expire on December 31, 2023.
It is at the discretion of the consular officer whether or not the interview will be waived. Consulates almost uniformly require a visa appointment be booked before requesting a renewal without interview. Please check with the consulate where you are applying for further details – https://www.usembassy.gov/
Traveling outside the US in the next 6 months? Schedule your appointment ASAP
If you have an expired visa stamp and know you will be pursuing international travel, please schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Interviews can be booked while you are in the US with your SEVIS number.