- Qualifications
- How to Apply
Before you apply for an expedited appointment, you must ensure that you have documentary evidence to prove the urgency. If it appears during your visa interview that you misrepresented the reasons for urgent travel, such facts will be noted on your case file and may adversely influence the outcome of your visa application. All applicants requesting an expedited appointment are required to first pay visa fees for a regular visa appointment. Applicants who are granted an expedited appointment but subsequently refused a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will not be allowed to utilize this option to obtain another expedited appointment.
Note: Travel for the purpose of last-minute tourism, weddings, graduation ceremonies, or regularly scheduled conferences, workshops, or trainings does not qualify for an expedited appointment. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance. Each expedited appointment request is evaluated on a case-by-case and space available basis.
Medical Needs
Purpose of travel is to obtain urgent medical care, or to accompany a relative or employer for urgent medical care.
Essential documentation:
- A letter from your doctor in Suriname describing the medical condition and why you are seeking medical care in the United States.
- A letter from the physician or hospital in the United States indicating that they are prepared to treat your case and providing the approximate cost of the treatment.
- Evidence of how you will pay for the cost of the treatment.
Funeral/Death
Purpose of travel is to attend the funeral of or make arrangements for repatriating the body of an immediate family member (mother, father, brother, sister, child,) in the United States.
Essential documentation:
- A letter from the funeral director stating the contact information, the details of the deceased, and the date of the funeral.
- You must also present evidence that the deceased is an immediate relative.
Urgent Business Travel
Purpose of travel is to attend to an urgent business matter where the travel requirement could not be predicted in advance.
Essential documentation:
- A letter of invitation from the corresponding company in the United States attesting to the urgency of the planned visit, describing the nature of the business and that either the U.S. or local company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an expedited appointment is not available.
Or
- Evidence of a necessary training program in the United States of three months duration or less, to include letters from both the local employer and the U.S. company providing the training.
Both letters should include a detailed explanation of the training and explain why either the U.S. or local company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an expedited appointment is not available.
Students or exchange visitors
Purpose of travel is to begin or resume a valid program of study in the United States within 60 days when no regular visa appointments are available. This option is limited only to students and exchange students who are within 60 days of their start date. It is also limited only to applicants who have not been refused a visa within the last six months at the U.S. Embassy.
Essential documentation:
- Original Form I-20 or DS-2019 indicating start date of program within 60 days.
- Evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee (when applicable).
ESTA Denied
You may request an expedited visa appointment if you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program partner but have received notice that you are no longer eligible to travel to the United States under that program. Such travelers include those who are dual nationals of Iraq, Iran, Sudan or Syria, or those who have travelled to Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, or Somalia after March 1, 2011. Your travel must be imminent to qualify for an expedited appointment. Please include in your request the date and purpose of your travel.
Essential documentation:
- A copy of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection message you received regarding your ESTA status.