Overview
You may be eligible to apply for a U.S. visa without an interview based on your age, or if you are renewing a prior U.S. visa that expired less than 48 months ago. If qualified, you only need to pay the visa application fee, fill out the DS-160 visa application form online, and provide an updated photo.
Starting Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the Embassy will be open every Wednesday between 08.00 – 10.00 a.m. for Interview Waiver (Drop-off Service) except on local or U.S. holidays and circumstances beyond our control.
Kindly note that you can make use of a third party to drop off the documents. Note that processing time is approximately two weeks.
Certain individual petition-based nonimmigrant work visa applicants (H, L, O, P, Q), students (F and M), student exchange visitors (J), and their qualifying derivatives may be eligible to have their in-person interview waived through December 31, 2022. See the full details here : https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-waivers-of-the-interview-requirement-for-certain-nonimmigrant-visas.html
Renewal
Some applicants applying for visa renewal are eligible to apply through Interview Waiver (IW). This special exemption applies only to applicants who meet ALL of the following qualifications:
Applicant’s prior visa was issued at the U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo AND
- Applicant is applying for the same visa class and category as the previous visa, with the same passport type and nationality AND
- Applicant was age 14 or older when the previous visa was issued, AND
- Applicant’s visa does not have the words “clearance,” “waiver,” or “blanket” printed on it AND
- The applicant’s current visa is still valid, or it expired less than 48 months ago. The prior visa must be submitted with the new application.
To apply using Interview Waiver at the U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo, you must:
- Complete the DS-160 application online prior to coming to the Embassy
- Pay the visa fee (USD $185 for tourist visas), payable in USD or SRD equivalent cash only, for each applicant at the Embassy
- Submit the DS-160 application confirmation sheet and bring the printed version for each applicant
- Submit current valid passport and passport(s) with prior U.S. visa (must be original, not a copy). Applications of children: Both valid passports of parents (with valid visa) if applicable
- Submit current 2 x 2 inch photo not older than six months – with a light or white background and without eyewear. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement
Important Notes
All applicants must qualify on their own merit. Spouses, parents, or any family members who do not meet all of the criteria will not be eligible for Interview Waiver and must schedule a regular appointment when they are available.
The U.S. Embassy reserves the right to interview any applicant. If an interview is required, you will be requested to come in for one at the U.S. Embassy Consular section.
If you drop off your documents for renewal but are not actually eligible for Interview Waiver, you will be asked to schedule a regular appointment. Please make sure you are eligible before coming to the Embassy.
APPLICANTS UNDER AGE 14 AND AGE 80 OR OVER
Children under the age of 14 can qualify to receive their visas without an interview as long as at least one parent already has a valid B1/B2 visa or qualifies to renew their visa through Interview Waiver (IW) and is applying at the same time.
To apply for a child’s visa using Interview Waiver, you must:
- Complete the DS-160 application online for each applicant prior to coming to the Embassy
- Pay the visa fee (USD $185 for tourist or student visas), payable in USD or SRD equivalent cash only, for each applicant at the Embassy
- Submit the DS-160 application confirmation sheet and bring the printed version for each applicant
- Submit prior visa, if applicable
- Submit current 2 x 2 inch photo not older than six months. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details
- Submit current passport
- Submit proof of parental relationship, such as an original Surinamese Familieboek or birth certificate, which will be returned along with the passport once the visa is issued.
Applicants age 80 or older are not required to schedule an interview at the Embassy, regardless of whether they are first time applicants or renewals.
To apply using Interview Waiver, you must:
- Complete the DS-160 application online prior to coming to the Embassy
- Pay the visa fee (USD $185 for tourist or student visas), payable in USD or SRD equivalent cash only, for each applicant at the Embassy
- Submit the DS-160 application confirmation sheet and bring the printed version for each applicant.
- Submit prior visa, if applicable
- Submit current 2 x 2 inch photo not older than six months. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details
- Submit current passport