Applications for Nonimmigrant Visas

Who may apply for a nonimmigrant (temporary) visa at the US Embassy in London?

Anyone who is physically present in the UK may submit an application for a nonimmigrant visa. An applicant physically present in the US may not apply for a visa at the US Embassy in London.

How to apply for a nonimmigrant visa in London?

Scheduling Appointments:

Most nonimmigrant visa applicants are required to appear in person for an interview with a consular officer at the US Embassy, London. Interviews are by appointment only and are scheduled by calling the Embassy's Operated Assisted Information Service from within the United Kingdom on 09042 450 100, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm and Saturday, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Callers from within the United States can ring 1-866-382-3589 for information or to schedule an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview. Callers will be charged a fixed rate of $16.00 for up to 7 minutes, payable by credit card only (VISA, MasterCard or American Express).

Emergency and expedited appointments are available for certain C-1/D, I, O and P visa applicants only. Visas granted at emergency appointments will generally be processed within 48 hours. Emergency appointments cannot be rescheduled or cancelled. If the applicant is unable to attend, a normal appointment will then need to be scheduled by the applicant.

A few appointments are reserved each day for British L-1 and H-1 applicants. Priority appointments will be considered on a space-available basis where the start date on the applicant's Form I-797 Notice of Action has passed. Priority appointments cannot be guaranteed and will not result in expedited processing of the visa application following the interview. There may also be some priority appointments available for British F-1, J-1 and M-1 applicants, depending on the start date of the applicant's training or course of study. As noted above, priority appointments are not guaranteed and there is no expedited visa processing.

With the exception of emergency appointments, all normal appointments can be cancelled/rescheduled one time. If an applicant is unable to attend a rescheduled appointment, the applicant must wait at least 4 weeks before scheduling a new appointment.

Applicants should be aware that they have been assigned a scheduled appointment arrival time at the Embassy and that there will most likely be other people present with the same arrival time. Applicants should expect to be at the Embassy for several hours on the date of the interview and should be aware that the Embassy will refuse admission to people who arrive more than half an hour late for their appointment.

Applicants may not to bring luggage, large bags or other items that must be searched and x-rayed, as screening such items slows the entry of all applicants. In addition, the use of mobile phones, PDAs, and cameras or other electronic devices is prohibited in the waiting rooms. Finally, with the exception of baby formula, breast milk and prescription medications, no liquids are permitted inside the Embassy. There is however a snack shop which sells drinks, sandwiches and other refreshments.

Attorneys are not permitted to be present during the interview and attorneys are not allowed to discuss a case with the consular officer after an interview. Attorneys are, however, permitted to sit in the waiting room while clients are interviewed.

Documents and Fees:

Each visa applicant, regardless of age, is required to submit his or her passport together with a completed and signed nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-156 and all supporting documents. Male applicants between the ages of 16 - 45, and all male and female applicants aged 16 and over who were born in or hold a passport from North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Libya, China, Russia, Vietnam and Somali must also complete a supplemental nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-157. All visa applicants are required to submit the electronic version of Form DS-156. The US Embassy no longer accepts other versions. An electronic version of Form DS-157 is not yet available. A recent full-face color or black and white photo 2 inches by 2 inches square must be stapled to Form DS-156. All applicants for J-1, J-2, F-1, F-2, M-1 and M-2 visas, regardless of age, must also complete Form DS-158 (contact information and work history). Links to these forms and photograph specifications may be found on our Resource Links page.

Married couples and families applying together may schedule one appointment. Individual visa appointments must be scheduled for all other applicants. Children under the age of 14 are not required to attend an interview. The parent(s) of a child under the age of 14 may submit the child's passport and completed visa application form at their interview. Passports submitted for routine visa applications will normally be mailed back to the applicant(s) approximately 3 -10 working days from the date of the consular interview. If additional processing is required, applicants should allow a minimum of 60 days for processing.

All passports will be returned to applicants by Secure Mail Services (SMS), a private courier agency contracted with by the US Embassy. Envelopes for the return of passports are available for purchase in the Visa Branch waiting room. Applicants will be required to purchase an envelope after their interview for a fee of £13.50 (approximately $26.00), payable by debit or credit card or in cash. Each envelope can hold up to 5 passports. At the time of purchase, the applicant will be given a unique Tracking ID number with which to track the progress of their passport(s). SMS provides next workday delivery for most of the UK. Applicants who are asked to provide additional documents before their visas can be processed are required to use SMS for the delivery of those documents to the US Embassy. Delivery can be arranged by calling SMS on 08709 501 760. A link to additional information regarding SMS may be found on our Resource Links page.

Every visa applicant is required to pay a visa application fee of $100 (currently £63) before submitting an application. Payment must be made by credit or debit card when the appointment is scheduled (VISA, MasterCard or American Express only; VISA electron debit cards are not accepted). In addition to having a credit or debit card available when making the appointment, applicants should also have the passport number(s) of each person requiring an appointment and an e-mail address to provide the operator. Confirmation of the appointment and the receipt for the application fee will be sent by e-mail.

Applicants for J-1, F-1 and M-1 visas are also required to pay to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the United States a fee of $100 to defray the cost of enrollment in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Proof of payment must be brought to the applicant's visa interview. Some applicants may also be required to pay a visa issuance fee (based on reciprocal fees charged to US citizens for similar services by the applicant's government) before an approved visa will be issued. If an issuance fee is required, the applicant will be advised and payment must be made to the Embassy cashier in cash (sterling or dollar equivalent) or with one of the following credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, Diner's Club and American Express.

All US Embassies and Consulates are now required to collect a complete set of fingerprints from people applying for all visas. Applicants with cuts or blisters on any of their fingers will be required to reschedule and return when quality fingerprints can be taken.

Cuban nationals are required to complete two nonimmigrant visa application Forms DS-156 and provide two color photographs, but only one visa application fee is required for each applicant. Male and female applicants aged 16 and over are also required to complete supplemental nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-157.

Chinese, Russian, Somali & Vietnamese nationals are required to complete one nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-156. Applicants aged 16 and over must also complete supplemental nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-157.

Northern Cyprus nationals are required to complete one nonimmigrant visa application form DS-156 and provide four color photographs.

The following applicants may apply for a nonimmigrant visa by mail:

• Applicants under the age of 14;
• Certain applicants for official and diplomatic visas who are physically present in the UK and are eligible to receive a visa;
• An applicant granted a waiver of personal appearance in the national interest or because of unusual circumstances, including but not limited to an emergency or unusual hardship, as determined by a consular officer; and
• Applicants aged 80 and over, if they are a UK or EU passport holder or have Indefinite Leave To Remain in the United Kingdom and are eligible to receive a visa. The ability to apply by mail does not apply to applicants over age 80 who have been refused a visa or have been denied entry into or removed from the US. All applicants who were born in or hold a passport from North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran or Libya are required to schedule an appointment for an interview. In some cases, a special advisory opinion may be required and such additional processing may take a minimum of 60 days or more.

All applicants who are eligible to apply by mail are required to use SMS for the delivery of their documents to and from the US Embassy. Delivery can be arranged by calling SMS on 08709 501 760. Applicants who apply by mail should expect a processing time of approximately 15 working days from the date of mailing to receipt of the passport(s). If additional processing is required, applicants should allow a minimum of 4 - 16 weeks for processing. Links to visa application forms, SMS and photograph specifications may be found on our Resource Links page.

If an applicant is ineligible for a visa and requires a waiver of ineligibility, visa processing may take a minimum of 14 - 16 weeks. Applicants who have been arrested and/or convicted of a crime must also complete a personal data sheet, Form VCU1, and submit copies of court record(s) for all convictions.

Some nonimmigrant visa applicants may be subject to additional special security screening procedures. Affected applicants will be advised of the need for additional processing when their applications are submitted and will be advised to expect delays. Additional screening procedures may take a minimum of 60 days or more.

Visa Waiver Program:

In order to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals of the following countries must present an individual machine-readable, tamper-resistant passport at a US port of entry: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. New passports issued by Visa Waiver Program countries on or after October 26, 2005 must also include a digital photo, otherwise, the applicant will be required to obtain a visa for travel to the United States. The only passports issued on or after October 26, 2006 that will be valid for travel under the Visa Waiver Program are e-Passports, which include an integrated computer chip capable of storing biographic and biometric information and a digitized photograph.