Visa Services, U.S. Embassy London

Update on the Operator Assisted Information Service

While call volumes are beginning to return to normal, the Operator Assisted Information Service continues to be busy. If travel is not imminent, please delay making the call. On calling the Service you will hear an opening message before making your selection. If an agent is not available to take your call within 20 seconds of you making that selection, you will receive a message advising you to call...

My spouse is applying for an immigrant visa and I would like to accompany him to the visa interview with our baby who is a U.S. citizen. Is this OK?

Yes, a U.S. citizen wishing to accompany his or her spouse or fiancee to the immigrant visa interview may do so.  However, your name must be entered onto the security access list otherwise you will not be admitted.  Please call the Operator Assisted Information Service who will advise you how to do this.  Please note that you will be required to present photo-id on the day.   Your children...

I have scheduled an appointment to apply for a visa and have just found out that the arrangements I had made for child care have fallen through. I will need to bring my child with me even though he is not applying for a visa. Is that ok?

You may bring your child to the visa interview.  If your child is under the age of 12 you need take no further action other than bring books or toys to entertain him or her, keeping in mind that electronic items of any kind are not allowed within Embassy premises, as the interview will take 2 – 3 hours.  In cases of children aged 12 and over, their names must be on the security access list...

Just watched the video. What happens if my visa application is refused?

If you are found ineligible for a visa under U.S. visa law, your passport will be returned to you together with a written explanation of why you did not qualify for the visa.  Your passport will also be returned to you at the interview if your application is subject to additional processing, as your application could take 90 days or more to process.  Once processing has been completed, the Nonimmigrant...

I have just finished watching the YouTube video. It says that only the visa applicant will be allowed into the Embassy for the interview. This is a problem for me as I am disabled and need assistance. What do I do?

If you are disabled and need assistance, you can arrange for someone to accompany you to the visa interview.  If you have not yet booked the interview you should notify the agent at the time of your call of the name of the person who will accompany you.  They will take his or her details and add their name to the access list.  If the interview is booked, then please call the Operator Assisted Information...

Just seen the YouTube video that says I have to leave my passsport at the Embassy. I cannot do that as I am traveling to France a couple of days after my interview.

If your application is successful and we are able to issue you with a visa, you will be required to leave your passport at the Embassy.  If you are unable to do this, you should consider rescheduling the appointment for a time when you will not require your passport.  If you wish to go ahead with the interview, you may ask that your passport is returned to you while your application is processed. ...

I have just seen your YouTube video. It’s great, but doesn’t tell me how long I should expect to be at the interview.

As you can see, the interview is a two-stage process.  You will be called up to hand in your visa application forms and documents and have a set of your fingerprints scanned electronically.  You will then be asked to take a seat and wait for the visa interview which will be conducted by a U.S. consular officer.  While the period of time this takes will vary depending on the time of day and number...

We are changing the way in which we process visas!

We have begun prescreening visa applications for those who have ever been arrested, convicted or cautioned of an offense, or have ever been denied entry into or removed from the United States.  We realize that the wait time for an appointment with the Visa Coordination Officer can, at times, extend to several months. Pre-screening a prospective visa application is one way in which we can reduce...

Scheduling a Visa Interview

If you are traveling for business or tourism for less than 90 days you may not require a visa.  Our Visa Wizard will help you decide http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/visawizard/index.html. If you are required to apply for a visa, the Operator Assisted Information Service will schedule the appointment for you.  Callers from within the United Kingdom should dial 09042-450-100. Calls to...

Wait Times for an Appointment

You can find out the typical wait time for a nonimmigant visa interview by following this link http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait_result.php?post=London&x=49&y=20.  This information is updated weekly. If you would like to know the earliest available appointment, call our Operator Assisted Information Service for further information.