Apply for an Expedited Appointment

On this page:

• Overview
• Qualifications
• How to Apply

Overview

If you have an unforeseen travel need as per one of the criteria listed below, you may qualify for an expedited appointment at the U.S. Embassy depending on appointment availability. It is important to ensure you meet all the criteria, because applicants are only allowed to create one expedited appointment request.

Qualifications

Before you apply for an expedited appointment, you must ensure that you have documentary evidence to prove the urgency. During your visa interview, if it appears that you misrepresented the reasons for expedited travel, such facts will be noted on your case file and may adversely influence the outcome of your visa application. Applicants who are granted an expedited appointment but are subsequently refused a visa or who missed their interview at the U.S. Embassy will not be allowed to utilize this option to obtain another expedited appointment.

Please note that if your request for an expedited appointment is denied you will not be able to make a second request during the course of your visa application and you should attend the regular appointment you scheduled initially.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for an expedited appointment. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

Medical Needs

If the purpose of travel is to obtain urgent medical care, to accompany a relative or employer for urgent medical care, or to visit a relative suffering from an immediate, life-threatening medical condition, provide the following documentation:

• A letter from your doctor 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 the treatment

Funeral/Death

• If the 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, grandparent, or grandchild) in the United States, provide the following 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

If the purpose of travel is to attend to an urgent business matter where the travel requirement could not be predicted in advance, provide the following 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 the 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
• An explanation as to when an applicant was first informed of the necessity to travel to the United States and why a regular appointment was not obtained

Students or exchange visitors

If the purpose of travel is to begin or resume a valid program of study in the United States within 60 days and no regular visa appointments are available, and the applicant has not been refused a visa within the last six months at the U.S. Embassy, provide the following documentation:

• Original Form I-20 or DS-2019 indicating start date of program is 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 and 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

How to apply:

To submit a request for an expedited appointment, please send an email to ConsularAshgab@state.gov explaining your justification. Please attach any relevant evidence or documentation to your request email.