New Visa Appointment Service

[seaborn 1]

February 23, 2011

U.S. Embassy Announces New Visa Appointment Service

On March 1, 2011, the US Embassy in Accra will transition to a new nonimmigrant (visitor) visa appointment service. As of March 1, all nonimmigrant visa applicants must schedule appointments through the U.S. Visa Information Service at www.ustraveldocs.com or by calling 233-263 011 685 and 233-544 339 697.

The following steps will be necessary as of March 1, 2011 to apply for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa:

Step 1 Pay the visa application fee at any Ecobank branch.

Step 2 Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application form (CEAC/DS-160).

Step 3 Schedule a visa interview appointment at www.ustraveldocs.com. Three pieces of information will be required to schedule an appointment:

passport number

MRV fee payment receipt

The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page

Step 4 Visit the U.S. Embassy in Accra on the date and time of the visa interview. Applicants will need to bring a printed copy of the appointment letter, the DS-160 confirmation page, one recent visa photograph, current and all old passports, and the original visa fee payment receipt. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.

Step 5 Applicants will collect issued visas in person at the U.S. Embassy in Accra.

For further information about the U.S. visa process, please visit www.ustraveldocs.com .

Applicants who have already scheduled visa appointments will not be impacted by this change. Those who have already scheduled an appointment through the current online system should bring their Standard Chartered receipt and proceed via the current process. Applicants who have paid their MRV fee prior to March 1, 2011, but have not scheduled an appointment, will have a grace period from March 1, 2011 until April 30, 2011 to use their MRV fee for appointment scheduling. Anyone with an MRV receipt obtained prior to March 1 will have to pay the MRV fee again if they have not scheduled an appointment before April 30, 2011.

Does this apply to K1 filers, I didn't think they had to fill out an DS-160.

[C_María 6]

It looks like a lot of countries are transitioning into the new system right now. My fiance is in Mexico and we just had to fill out the DS-160 and schedule an interview though people who went two weeks ago did not! The form is simple but long and it goes through electronically and gives you a receipt with a barcode that you print out and bring with you. I'm sure someone from your country will be able to tell you a little better exactly what's going on, looks like you might have a little time before your NOA2 to see a few people go ahead of you. Good luck!

[GhLove 4]

I believe this process is only for NON-immigrant visas, which is for a temporary visa. The K-1, K-3/CR-1, fiance and spouse visa are Immigrant visas (used for permanent stay).

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

K1 is non immigrant at sometimes and immigrant at others. When it comes to paying at the embassy it is non immigrant. So you will have to pay for the visa as the embassy requires and bring proof of payment to the interview with you.

[Evans and Flor 2]

As you have stated here" On March 1, 2011, the US Embassy in Accra will transition to a new nonimmigrant (visitor) visa appointment service." It clearly states VISITOR, that doesnt have to do with K1 visa.

[Ban Hammer 12,830]

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