New visa services at USA embassy and consulate in the UAE

Abu Dhabi: American missions in the UAE are starting a new appointment service for anyone applying for a non-immigrant visa to the United States of America, the USA embassy said yesterday.

The embassy said that the new appointment system will start on January 6, after which appointments will be available at both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai.

“Starting January 6, 2013, applicants will work, online or by phone, with a service provider to schedule an interview, pay the visa application fee, and arrange for the delivery of documents and passports,” the USA embassy pointed out.

According to the embassy, this new appointment service will also allow applicants to schedule a visa interview with more flexibility and up to six months in advance of travel plans.

Under the new process, applicants can go online and in a few minutes complete the visa application, pay the visa application fee, schedule an appointment, and arrange to have their passport delivered at the end of the application process to an Empost office anywhere in the UAE, the embassy said.

“The entire process can be done 24 hours a day from the comfort of home using the online system. During daytime hours, applicants can also get assistance from a live operator call centre with services in Arabic, English, and Farsi,” the embassy clarified.

The call centre can also assist with scheduling an appointment provided the applicant has already paid the visa application fee. After that, all the applicant must do is attend the scheduled interview at the embassy or the consulate general.

The US Mission wants to ensure that applicants already in the scheduling process are not negatively impacted by the change. If applicants have not already made an appointment and do not have immediate travel plans, they may choose to wait for the new system to be available on January 6.

The embassy clarified that if an applicant has already paid the visa application fee and made an appointment, that appointment will be honoured.

As per visa requirements, applicants should arrive at the embassy or consulate general as instructed in their appointment confirmation, bringing with them their DS-160 application confirmation page, passport, and National Bank of Abu Dhabi visa application fee payment receipt.

Because the process for paying the fee will be very different under the new system, it is recommended that applicants not pay the fee unless they are sure they will receive an appointment prior to December 31.

Those who pay the fee and do not have an interview before December 31 may have to pay the fee again under the new system as missions are unable to refund the National Bank of Abu Dhabi visa application fees if unused.

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