(London, Paris, Seoul, Tel Aviv)

In response to the August 1, 2003, deadline to implement the personal interview requirement for non-immigrant visa applicants, the American Embassies in London, Paris, Seoul and Tel Aviv have recently posted updates to their websites providing detailed instructions regarding how to schedule an interview and/or request a waiver of the interview requirement. Please review the links below:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/niv/august.htm

http://www.amb-usa.fr/consul/niv.htm

http://usembassy.state.gov/seoul/wwwhniv.html

http://telaviv.usembassy.gov/publish/consular.htm

Effective August 1, 2003, a personal appearance at all consulates around the world will be required for all non-immigrant visa applicants, with the exception of the following:

• children 16 years of age or under;

• adults 60 years of age or older;

• diplomats and those traveling on official government business;

• applicants who, within twelve months of the expiration of the previously issued visa, are seeking re-issuance of a non-immigrant visa in the same classification at the same consular post of the individual's usual residence, and for whom the consular officer has no indication of visa ineligibility or noncompliance with U.S. immigration laws and regulations 

• Foreign nationals for whom a waiver of personal appearance is warranted in the national interest of because of unusual circumstances.

In addition to these basic exceptions, some other limited exceptions are permitted with certain consulates. For example, in London, the Embassy will waive an interview for United Kingdom and other European Union passport holders or for those who are permanent residents of the United Kingdom and are applying to renew the same category of visa that has expired within the last 12 months.   Paris will waive the interview for applicants who within twelve months of the expiration of their previously issued visa are seeking re-issuance of a visa in the same classification. Seoul may waive the interview for individuals applying for visitor visas under the Business Referral Program (BRP) and certain employment based categories, e.g., H-1B. 

Note that visa applicants aged 16 or over who were born in, or hold a passport from, any of the following countries are required to apply for a visa in person: North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Iraq and Libya.

It is imperative that every visa applicant review and carefully follow the precise instructions provided on the Consulate's website.  Applicants must be careful to follow all procedures and present all required documents in order to avoid a rejection of the application and further processing delays. As a general rule, Consulates will not issue the visa and return the applicant's passport the same day as the interview.  Rather, the passport will be returned to the applicant via a delivery service, normally within 20 days, but it can take longer.

Note also that there are additional processing requirements for and information required for:

• nationals of North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria & Sudan

• nationals of China, North Cyprus, Russia, Somalia & Vietnam

• applicants who have a criminal conviction, are HIV positive, have a medical ground of ineligibility, have been denied admission to or have been deported from the United States

Information on procedures at all other Consulates around the world is available on our website link to U.S. Department of State at http://www.jackson-hertogs.com  and http://www.state.gov/www/regions_missions.html.

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