A New Approach to the Visa Application Process: Questions and Answers

In an effort to make the U.S. visa application process faster, easier and more convenient for our clients, as of December 12, 2011, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem will implement new application and appointment procedures. 

1.    I understand there is a new process for applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States.  Can you explain the changes?

It is now faster, cheaper, and more accessible to apply for a visa at the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.  The new system will improve the visa application process while decreasing the overall fees paid by the applicants.  With only one payment -- the current non-refundable machine-readable visa (MRV) application fee determined by visa classification -- the following services will be provided to all non-immigrant visa applicants:

• MRV application fee collection, either by phone, online, or over the counter at any Israeli Postal Bank or Bank of Palestine branch.
• Scheduling of interview appointments (through the call center or online)
• Information on general visa inquiries
• Delivery of passports for approved visa applications
• Courier service to the Consulate for cases requiring additional documentation

Beginning on December 12, visa applicants must schedule their visa appointments via a new website (http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com) or with the assistance of an operator at a call center (local: 02-5677833; U.S.-based: 703-439-2344). Applicants will no longer be required to pay an additional fee to make an appointment or obtain courier service. 

2.    What is the new process for applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States?

3.    When will the new process take effect?

As of December 12, 2011, all visa interviews must be scheduled using the new system.  Applicants with existing interviews will not be affected by this transition, and they should attend their scheduled interview at the Consulate. However, these applicants will need to register for courier service at http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com. Applicants interviewed prior to December 12, 2011 will receive their visas directly from the courier service (Aramex or Shaal) they designated at the time of their interview. These applicants will be responsible for all courier fees associated with the pass back of their visas.

The personally identifiable numbers (PINs) previously used to schedule an appointment will no longer be valid as of December 11.  These PINs are non-negotiable and non-refundable.  As of December 12, all new appointments must be scheduled online (http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com) or through the call center (local: 02-5677833; U.S.-based: 703-439-2344)]. 

4.    What is the reason for this change?

These new procedures are designed to make the visa application process simpler and more efficient for both the applicants and the consulate.  We expect that these changes will not only decrease overall costs but will also improve the quality of customer service.

5.    I already paid my MRV application fee, but I was not able to schedule an appointment before the new procedures took effect. How can I schedule my appointment?

MRV application fees paid prior to December 12, 2011, at the Israeli Postal Bank or Cairo Amman Bank will be honored for a year from the date of payment.  Applicants who pay the fee before the new system goes into effect, but who have not yet booked an appointment, must schedule an interview directly through the call center (local: 02-5677833; U.S.-based: 703-439-2344).  As before, MRV application fee payments are valid for a single application within one year from the date of payment.

6.    Where can I obtain additional information about the visa application process?

Additional information is available on-line at http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com or by calling the call center (local: 02-5677833; U.S.-based: 703-439-2344).  The call centers can also provide visa-related services, including scheduling visa appointments, answering visa-related questions, and assisting applicants in choosing a UPS or WASSAL delivery location.

There is also a U.S.-based phone number (703-439-2344) that can be used by applicants who are scheduling appointments from outside of Jerusalem, the West Bank, or Gaza. 

Visa applicants can also use SKYPE to obtain information:

• SKYPE number = 753813
• Name: USvisajerusalem

7.    What are the hours of the call center?

• The local call center (02-5677833) is available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, Sunday to Thursday. 
• U.S.-based call center (703-439-2344) is available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

8.    Why is the new website a .com domain and not a .gov domain?  Don’t all U.S. government websites use the .gov domain?

The new website, http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com, is being run by a private company on behalf of the U.S. government.  Thus, the website uses the private .com domain.

9.    What will be the cost of a visa?  Do you expect fees to increase?

The current MRV visa application fees remain the unchanged.  For most visa categories the application fee is $160.  Applications for petition-based visas in the H, L, O, P, Q and R categories cost $190.  Depending on the applicant’s nationality or visa category, there might be additional reciprocity fees payable at the time of visa issuance.

10.    What were the costs under the old process?

The visa application fee (MRV – Machine Readable Visa Fee) will now cover all costs associated with applying for a visa.  This includes the cost for setting up the appointment and the courier delivery fee.  The MRV application fees remain unchanged. 

Under the old process, applicants paid the application fee ($140 for tourists, $150 for petition-based cases, and $390 for treaty traders and treaty investors).  In addition, applicants needed to purchase a PIN in order to schedule an appointment and an additional fee (on average $22) to have the passport delivered.

11.    The consular officer denied my visa.  Can I get a refund on my application fee?

The MRV application fee is nonrefundable. 

12. What documents do I need to have in order to apply?

To make a visa appointment, you will need an online visa (DS-160/CEAC) application confirmation number, an MRV payment receipt, a photo that meets the requirements at http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html, and a current passport. 

Certain visa categories may require additional documentation.  For example:

• Student (F) and vocational training (M) visa applicants require a Form I-20 and a SEVIS fee payment receipt;
• Cultural exchange visitors (J) visa applicants require a Form DS-2019 and a SEVIS fee payment receipt (depending on program sponsor); and,
• Petition-based visas require a DHS approval Form I-797.  These include the work (H), intercompany transfer (L), foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities (O), performers (P), international cultural exchange visitors (Q) and religious workers (R) visa categories.

13. Where do I find the DS-160 on-line visa application?

You can locate the DS-160 visa application at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. 

14. How can I select an interview appointment time?

You must first create an account on-line at http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com or through the call center (local: 02-5677833; U.S.-based: 703-439-2344) and follow the instructions given there.  You will be able to select an interview appointment time after you pay the required MRV application fee and complete the DS-160 application form.  The system automatically defaults to the next available appointment.  Appointments are opened approximately six months in advance for scheduling. 

15. How can I apply for an expedited interview appointment?

The Consulate General expedites visa appointments for medical emergencies, and in limited cases for unanticipated business or student travel if the required departure date is before the next available appointment date.  Further information on what constitutes an expedited appointment is available on the Consular Section website at:  http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/emergency_appointments.html 

Applicants must first follow the step-by-step appointments outlined in question # 2.  Once the applicant schedules their appointment, they should send an email to JerusalemExpediteAppt@state.gov with specific details justifying their request.  Applicants are encouraged to provide scanned supporting documentation, if it is available.  The applicant will be expected to bring this information to the interview, in addition to any forms or other supporting documents required for your visa classification. 

The Consular Section will strive to respond to your request as expeditiously as possible, generally within two business days.  If your request is approved, you will receive an email confirmation with your new date and time.  If your request is denied, you will receive an email response indicating that you should appear for your visa interview as scheduled.  

Please be advised that the granting of an expedited appointment in no way guarantees visa issuance.  U.S. law places the burden of qualifying for a nonimmigrant visa solely on the applicant. 

16. How do I submit additional documents to the Consulate after my interview?

If the consular officer requested additional documents, you will need to log into the system (http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com) using your passport number, date of birth, and nationality.  When you reach the applicant summary page, you will have an option to select “Register for Courier Service.”  You will be taken to a screen with a form to print out to provide to the courier along with the documents requested by the Consulate after your interview.  You can also change the courier option that you originally choose at this point.  You will need to drop off your documents at a courier service point (a full listing of courier service points are available at: http://jerusalem.usvisa-info.com).  The courier will deliver your documents to the Consulate.  Please note that due to security screening of all incoming mail, it typically takes 2-3 weeks for the Consular Section to receive and process any documents submitted following the interview. 

17. How will I receive my visa after it has been issued?

Passports with visas will be delivered to applicants within five to seven business days after the date of issuance.  You can specify the delivery address online (http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com) or through the call center (local: 02-5677833; U.S.-based: 703-439-2344).  No additional courier fee payments are required.  The new system even provides for direct home/office delivery service at no additional cost to the applicant.  The applicant will receive a confirmation e-mail when the passport is ready for pick-up.

18. Where can I find information on the current wait time for interviews?

You can find this information at http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com after you log in and pay the MRV application fee.  Wait times for visas are also posted on the U.S. Department of State website at  http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html

19. How can I track the status of my passport?

You can track the status of your passport the following methods:

• The on-line self-service website– http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com
• The interactive voice response (IVR) system –  02-5677833
• By speaking with a service agent during business hours – 02-5677833

20. How are group nonimmigrant visa applications handled under the new system?

Under the new system, groups of five or more applicants traveling to the same location for the same purpose can schedule a group appointment.  The representative of the group should register at http://Jerusalem.usvisa-info.com.  Once the applicants have completed their applications, the group representative should e-mail JerusalemGroups@csc.com.

21. I purchased an appointment PIN and was not able to use it prior to December 12, 2011.  Can I get a refund?

No, PIN numbers are obsolete and are nonrefundable once these new procedures are implemented.

The Department of State has announced an increase in nonimmigrant visa application (Machine Readable Visa - MRV) fees, effective April 13, 2012. Click here to  Learn more about how this change may impact you.

Nonimmigrant visas are for international travelers, (citizens of other countries), coming to the U.S. temporarily. This visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (airport, for example) and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security immigration inspector to enter the U.S. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.

International travelers come to the United States for a wide variety of reasons, including tourism, business, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work. The type of visa needed is defined by immigration law, and relates to the principal purpose of your travel.

Do not schedule an appointment until you have read the following information carefully.  As processing times for visa may vary, we strongly encourage you to schedule your interview well in advance of your travel.  Final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.

• Step 1: Application Procedure and Forms
• Step 2: Scheduling a Visa Interview
• Step 3: Paying the Required Fees
• Step 4: Photo Requirements
• Step 5: Interview Day Details

Many answers to questions you may have about nonimmigrant visa have already been answered in our Frequently Asked Questions page.  Please review this page before contacting us; we can only address questions that are not already covered by our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact the Visa Section