Emergency travel

Expedited Appointments for Business, Student & Exchange Program Visitors

The Consular Section is committed to facilitate timely travel to the U.S. for legitimate business, students and exchange visitors by making every effort to assign the earliest possible appointment time(s). Please note that all travelers need to demonstrate their eligibility to receive a U.S. visa, and that it is the traveler’s responsibility to make timely arrangements. 

1. Expedited Procedures: Outside the normal appointment schedule, or when appointments are not available, applicants who need to travel urgently or immediately for business or professional reasons must call the Consular Section in order to ask for an expedited appointment.

a. Applicants must explain their reasons for urgent travel to staff of the Consular Section.

b. Applicants will be asked to submit documentary evidence, by fax or e-mail, in support of the telephone request (e.g. an invitation letter from the U.S. to an urgent business meeting or unexpected conference).

c. Based on the circumstances and the documentation submitted, Consular Officers will decide whether and how to expedite visa processing, i.e. schedule an urgent appointment, on a case-by-case basis, in order to ensure timely travel for all bona fide business emergencies.

3. Last-Minute Procedures: Outside the normal appointment schedule, or when timely appointments are not available (i.e. at peak travel times, such as summer or holidays), "last-minute" requests, caused by poor planning or preparation on the part of the traveler, will not be considered as urgent and will not be considered for expedited appointments.

Medical, Family or Other Emergency

Applicants who need to travel urgently or immediately for a medical, family or other emergency must call the Consular Section in order to ask for expedited appointment. All applicants for emergency travel are required to use the Electronic Visa Application Form (DS-156). Handwritten or typed applications will not be accepted.