Questions
- What do I do if I find out I can’t make it to my scheduled visa appointment once it’s made?
- Where can I obtain information about visa denials? Can I apply again if I was denied?
- How long should I plan to be at the Consulate?
- How long does the entire process take from beginning to end?
- If I’m a renewal, do I need to bring supporting documents to the interview?
- Do I have to leave my passport at the U.S. Consulate if my visa is approved?
- How long will it take for my passport and visa to arrive after the appointment?
- Can I apply for a temporary visa to use until my new visa arrives?
- What happens when my passport expires but the visa in my passport is still valid?
- How can I find out if my current visa is still valid?
- What do I do if my visa was lost or stolen?
- My family is applying together. Will they interview us as a family or individually?
- Can I renew my visa before it expires or do I have to wait until after its expiration date?
- What do I need to wear for the photo?
- I qualify for the Visa Waiver Program because I have a European, Japanese, Australian, etc., passport. How do I comply with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)?
- What do I need to bring if I’m going for medical treatment in United States?
- Do minor-age children need to come to the visa interview?
- Is there any way to obtain a visa for my American citizen child?
- I live in the United States and I want to help my relatives get a visa to visit me. What can I do to help them?
- What do I do if my visa has an error or incorrect information when I receive it?
- Whom do I contact to find out why my U.S. visa has not been delivered or if I lost the Multipack ticket?
- Where can I find more information about obtaining a visa for the United States (for tourism, business, study, work, etc.)?
- Where can I turn in my I-94 card that was given to me when I last entered the United States?
- What if there is an emergency and I need a visa immediately?
- How do I make a group appointment?
- What should I bring to my appointment at the Consulate?
- How do I make an appointment for a tourist (non-resident) visa to visit the United States?
- My visa was cancelled by U.S. Immigration Authorities and I want to apply for a pardon. Do I need to file a petition with an Immigration Attorney?
1. What do I do if I find out I can’t make it to my scheduled visa appointment once it’s made?
• Internet appointments may be rescheduled once, free of charge.
• Telephone appointments may also be rescheduled, but you must pay for the phone call.
2. Where can I obtain information about visa denials? Can I apply again if I was denied?
• Yes, you can apply again if your visa was denied. The State Department's Visa Office offers information about immigration law and visa denials at "Visa Denials".
3. How long should I plan to be at the Consulate?
• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
Return to question table
4. How long does the entire process take from beginning to end?
• On average, applicants should be prepared to be at the Consulate from 3 to 5 hours.
5. If I’m a renewal, do I need to bring supporting documents to the interview?
• Yes, if you are renewing your visa you are still required to bring documents to support your ties to Mexico and financial solvency.
• You are also encouraged to bring your previous passports and visas.
6. Do I have to leave my passport at the U.S. Consulate if my visa is approved?
• No, unless you requested a visa in your Mexican passport.
7. How long will it take for my passport and visa to arrive after the appointment?
• Laser visas will be delivered to you through the Multipack courier service in approximately 2-3 weeks.
9. What happens when my passport expires but the visa in my passport is still valid?
• The validity of a combined Border Crossing Card and B-1/B-2 visa (BBBCV) is independent of the validity of the passport. If your BBBCV visa is valid, you may enter the United States by land even if your Mexican passport has expired. If traveling by air, or if you have a different classification of visa, a valid passport is required to enter the United States. In those instances, it is permissible to travel with two passports your current passport and the expired passport with the valid visa inside.
10. How can I find out if my current visa is still valid?
• Visas have an expiration date clearly marked on the visa. After that date, the visa is no longer valid and a new application should be made.
• If you wish, you can click on the following to see samples of currently valid visas.
11. What do I do if my visa was lost or stolen?
• You must make a new appointment and obtain a police report from local authorities to bring to the interview.
12. My family is applying together. Will they interview us as a family or individually?
• In most cases, the consular officer will interview the family together as a whole.
13. Can I renew my visa before it expires or do I have to wait until after its expiration date?
• Yes, you can apply for the new visa before your previous visa expires. Please note that the previous visa will be cancelled or as part of the process of issuing a new visa.
14. What do I need to wear for the photo?
• In Mexico, most applicants will be photographed at the time of the interview. Please do not wear earrings, hats, glasses or head coverings for the photo. Only applicants under the age of 7 and over 79 who are not present at the interview need to attach a photo to the DS-156 form.
15. I qualify for the Visa Waiver Program because I have a European, Japanese, Australian, etc., passport. How do I comply with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which began to accept VOLUNTARY applications starting on August 1, 2008. ESTA is a new fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Go to the ESTA website
16. What do I need to bring if I’m going for medical treatment in United States?
In addition to meeting the other requirements for B-2 status, the following documentation is also required for persons seeking medical treatment in the U.S.:
· Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason the applicant requires treatment in the United States.
· Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, expressing a willingness to treat this specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
· Statement of financial responsibility from the individuals or an organization that will pay for the patient’s transportation, medical and living expenses. The individuals guaranteeing payment of these expenses must provide proof of ability to do so, often in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns.
17. Do minor-age children need to come to the visa interview?
• All children ages 7 and above need to be physically present during the interview.
18. Is there any way to obtain a visa for my American citizen child?
• No. American citizens by law cannot be issued visas. If you believe that your child is an American, please contact the Consulte’s American Citizen Services Unit or visit the following website.
19. I live in the United States and I want to help my relatives get a visa to visit me. What can I do to help them?
• You may provide a letter of invitation or support. However, this cannot guarantee visa issuance to a foreign national friend, relative or student. Visa applicants must qualify for the visa according to their own circumstances, not on the basis of an American sponsor's assurance.
20. What do I do if my visa has an error or incorrect information when I receive it?
• Please click on the following to send us a message with your information and we will contact you about how to correct the visa with no further charge.
21. Whom do I contact to find out why my U.S. visa has not been delivered or if I lost the Multipack ticket?
• You should contact Multipack, the courier service you paid to deliver your visa.
22. How can I find more information about obtaining a visa for the United States (for tourism, business, study, work, etc.)?
• For information on all types of visas please click here.
23. Where can I turn in my I-94 card that was given to me when I last entered the United States?
• If you left the United States with your Form I-94 still in your possession, your departure was not recorded properly. If you do not correct this record or if you cannot reasonably prove that you departed in a timely way when you next apply for admission to the United States, DHS may conclude you remained in the United States beyond your authorized stay. If this happens, you may be returned immediately to your foreign point of origin.
If you failed to turn in your I-94, please send it - along with any documentation that proves you left the U.S. to
ACS Inc.
1084 South Laurel Rd.
London, Kentucky 40744
USA
Documentation to prove your departure can include the boarding pass from your flight. If you exited the country by a land border it is much harder to verify that you did- in fact - leave the country on the date you claim. If you have any documentation of your arrival in your home country (i.e. passport stamp), then you should send a copy of that. If the above office does not have any supporting documents to substantiate your claim to have left the U.S. on a certain date, there is no guarantee that you will be entered into the record as having done so. We strongly urge you to keep a copy of what you send to ACS Inc. and to carry it with you the next time you come to the U.S. in case the CBP officer has any questions about your eligibility to enter.
Please click on the following to read detailed information from the CBP website.
24. What if there is an emergency and I need a visa immediately?
Please click here to make an expedited appointment
25. How do I make a group appointment?
Please click here to make a group appointment
26. What should I bring to my appointment at the Consulate?
Please click here to bring a list of recommended documentation
27. How do I make an appointment for a tourist (non-resident) visa to visit the United States?
Please click here to make an appointment