Applying for a visa to the United States usually involves a long wait, especially for interviews at embassies or consulates. However, in emergency cases, there is the possibility of expediting the process through an urgent appointment, officially known as an “Emergency Visa Appointment”.
This option is not available in all cases, and requires justification of an exceptional situation. Below, we explain who can apply and how to do it.
Who qualifies for an emergency visa?
The U.S. embassy or consulate may authorize an emergency appointment if the applicant faces a critical situation that cannot wait for a regular appointment.
Some valid reasons include:
Death, serious accident or terminal illness of an immediate family member in the U.S.
Urgent medical treatments that can only be received in the U.S.
Essential business travel that cannot be postponed.
Students with imminent start dates and no appointment availability in time.
Important: An emergency does not guarantee that the visa will be approved. It only allows you to advance the interview.
How to apply?
The process to apply for an emergency visa includes several mandatory steps:
Complete Form DS-160: This is the official nonimmigrant visa application form. It must be completed online.
Create a dating system profile: Visit your country’s dating service website (e.g. ais.usvisa-info.com) and create an account.
Pay the consular fee: Payment is required before accessing the urgent appointment option.
Request emergency appointment: Once you complete the above steps, you will see the “urgent appointment request” option. There you will need to explain your case and attach documents that support the emergency.
The embassy will review the application and respond by email whether it is approved or denied.
If yes, you will be assigned an interview date in the near future.
Documents to be submitted
It is critical to support your application with clear evidence. Here are some examples:
Medical certificate or hospital letter (for medical emergencies).
Death certificate or funeral certificate (in case of death).
Letter from the university or employer (for studies or business).
Previous passports, if you have traveled to the U.S. before.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
