All applicants are required to appear personally at the Consular Section to apply for a U.S. Visa.
However, certain applicants may be exempt from that requirement based on their age.
Applicants that do not need to appear in person must meet the following criteria:
- Children under the age of 7 are not required to appear in person for the visa interview.
- A parent may apply in place of the child, but the parent must have a scheduled appointment in the child's name and must bring an original Birth Certificate issued in the last three months and a marriage certificate (if applicable).
- If the child is applying with a legal guardian, the child must appear in person accompanied by the legal guardian with the court documents proving legal custody.
- Visa Application Procedure for children:
- If the child is
- The only family member applying for a visa, schedule an appointment in the child's name through this service.
- A parent must present the child's application at the time of the scheduled interview.
- OR
- Applying with at least one parent, schedule the parent and child through this service. The parent(s) must bring the child's application documents with them to the scheduled interview.
- Parent(s) attend the scheduled appointment to submit visa application documents.
- Documents should include:
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) Form
- General application documents for the visa type
- Child's original birth certificate issued in the last three months
- If applicable a marriage certificate
- If one parent is applying, must bring copies of missing parent's identification (DNI, or a passport with a visa)
- At the interview the Consular Officer will review the documents and determine the status of the application.
Note: A Consular Officer can request to see the other parent and/or the child in person. - Approved visas will be couriered back to the applicant based on the courier location selection made during the process of scheduling an interview.
- Adults over the age of 80, renewing a visa are not required to appear in person for the visa interview.
- Visa Application Procedure for adults over the age of 80, renewing a visa:
- Register an account through this Web site and select "Visitor Visa (B1/B2) Renewal, over the age of 80".
- Follow the instructions on the courier information page to submit visa application documents.
Note: A Consular Officer can request to see an applicant in person. - Approved visas will be couriered back to the applicant based on the courier location selection made during the process of scheduling an interview.
