August 9, 2001

 

US EMBASSY TO IMPLEMENT APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR
NON-IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS STARTING MONDAY, AUGUST 13

Starting Monday, August 13, 2001, the US Embassy will temporarily change the non-immigrant visa application process to accommodate the increased number of applicants and lessen the time each person spends in the Consular Section. To best serve the public, the Consular Section will implement an appointment system and schedule interviews for applicants who require them.

Applicants for non-immigrant visas should note the new procedures:

1. All non-immigrant visa applicants should submit their complete visa application packet to Consular Staff during the Consular Section's normal schedule of Monday through Thursday at 07:30 for general applicants, 09:30 for applicants who have previously been refused a visa, and between 14:00 and 15:00 for applicants who qualify to use the Embassy's Drop-Box program. Qualified applicants who do not live in Bucharest may continue to use the DHL service.

An application packet includes: a completed application, a passport valid for at least six months after the intended date of return from the US, a receipt from Banca Transilvania showing payment of the $45 visa processing fee, a passport-type photograph, and supporting documents specific to the applicant's case. Information on the types of non-immigrant visas and documentation helpful in the application process is listed on the Embassy's web site, www.usembassy.ro, under "Consular Section."

2. Consular employees at the reception desk will accept the application packets and conduct a preliminary review for completeness and the applicants will depart the Embassy.

3. Applicants except those using the Drop-Box Program will return at 15:30 the same day and will either receive back the passport with a visa, or a pre-selected appointment date and time for a consular interview. Applicants who have previously been refused a visa within the past six months and do not present new evidence in support of their applications will not be re-interviewed. Drop-Box Program applicants will return the following day at 16:00 to pick up their passports.

4. Due to the limited number of appointments available, applicants will not be able to change the date or time of their consular interview. An applicant who believes he or she has a true emergency may request an interview date and time change in writing by fax: (+40) 1 211 3360; e-mail: visas@usembassy.ro; or by letter delivered to the Consular Section, American Embassy, Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest. Only the Consul may approve a change in interview date.

5. On the day of the consular interview appointment, the applicant must bring all of his or her supporting documents plus any other items specified on the appointment sheet. Applicants are asked to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to their interview time. Anyone arriving more than 30 minutes late for the interview may request a new interview date.

6. An applicant must present his/her appointment letter for admission to the Consular Section. No one will be admitted without the appointment letter. Friends, family members and sponsors are reminded that applicants over 18 years of age must attend the interview unaccompanied.

7. If the visa is approved, the applicant may return at 15:30 to pick up his or her passport.

Questions regarding the new process can be directed to the Non-Immigrant Visa Unit at
(+40) 1 210 4042 or visas@usembassy.ro. Applicants who are not certain if they qualify for the Drop-Box or DHL program or need further information on the visa application process can visit the US Embassy's web site, www.usembassy.ro.