Nonimmigrant Visa Unit
The Personal Interview with a Consular Officer
The personal interview with a consular officer (if one is required) and the information that the applicant provides in writing on the application forms are critical elements of the visa process. As a result of the large number of people applying for visas each day, the interviews are often short. It is essential that the visa applicant be able to describe a clear, coherent travel plan and provide accurate answers to all written and oral questions. Inconsistent, inaccurate or unrealistic answers make it difficult for the consular officer to conclude that the proposed trip is temporary in nature, or that the applicant is otherwise qualified for a visa.
When should I arrive at the Embassy for my appointment?
The date and time of the visa interview are printed on the barcode receipt issued by Banco de Crédito. The day of the interview, the applicant must arrive at the Embassy 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Applicants who arrive late will not be admitted and will have to contact the Visa Information Center to request a new interview date.
Who may accompany the visa applicant to the interview?
Only the visa applicant will be admitted, unless the applicant is under 18 years of age or 80 or over. On a case-by-case basis, the Embassy will allow visa applicants with disabilities or other special needs to be accompanied.
How long should I expect to be at the Embassy on the day of my visa interview, and how long will the interview last?
It is not possible for us to predict exactly how long you will be at the Embassy. We interview applicants as efficiently as possible consistent with making reasoned, legally supportable decisions; however, you should be prepared to wait several hours before being interviewed by a consular officer. Please wear warm clothing, as part of the visa waiting area is outdoors. We make every attempt to expedite the interview for elderly applicants, applicants with infants, disabled applicants and other applicants with special needs. If you have a disability or a special need that is not apparent, please mention it to one of the consular employees who wear red, grey or black pinstripe suits and have U.S. Embassy identification badges. These employees circulate throughout the waiting area.
The interview itself will generally last five to ten minutes, but may be shorter or significantly longer. For your convenience we have restrooms and a cafeteria on site. The cafeteria serves a selection of food and beverage items.
What happens if my visa application is approved?
If the consular officer approves your visa application, your passport (with visa) will be delivered to your home seven to 10 working days after the interview, through the DOMESA courier service. DOMESA has a small office in the waiting area. In order to receive your passport with the visa, you must pay the DOMESA fee after your interview and before leaving the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit. If you live in some areas of Colombia, you will have to pick up your passport from a DOMESA office.
Immediately upon receipt of your visaed passport, be sure to check the information on the visa to make sure your name, date or birth, etc. are correct. If you find any errors, please bring your passport to window 14 of the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit at 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
What if I need to travel very soon after my interview?
In making your travel plans, you should allow at least 10 working days from the time of your interview for visa processing. However, in the event that you have a reason for needing to travel sooner, you may ask the interviewing consular officer, while you are still at the interview window, to expedite the process. In some cases we are able to return passports more quickly. The consular officer will evaluate your situation and, if your reason is compelling and credible, will attempt to speed up the visa production/delivery process.