What can I expect on the interview date?

All applicants, including children under 14, should appear at the Consulate General interview at the appointed time. Late arrivals may not be processed. Please bring all documents indicated on the checklist to the interview.  Applicants will go through a pre-screening process, have their fingerprints taken, and be interviewed by a consular officer.

Visitors may bring small, hand-carry items such as a purse or a small folder containing application documents. Please take note of the prohibited items that will not be allowed into the Consulate and may result in you missing your visa appointment.

Prohibited Items (NOTE: DO NOT bring to the Consulate. The Consulate cannot store these items. Visitors in possession of these items will be turned away from the Consular Section).

• Firearms/Edged weapons;
• Explosive devices;
• Flammable liquids;
• Any food or consumable. Drinking water is available;
• Other weapons/contraband;
• Any bags, such as travel bags, backpacks, suitcases, briefcases, or cloth bags. Applicants can only carry hand bags 12 x 10 x 3 inches (30 x 24 x 7.5 centimeters);
• Computers/accessories, including laptops;
• iPads and other tablet devices;
• Still/video cameras;
• Pocket knife with a blade of less than 2.5 inches;
• Other large electronic or electrical devices

Non-Dangerous Prohibited Items (Can be Retained at the Guard Checkpoint)

• Small electronic devices (cellular telephones, Smart phones, BlackBerry units, PDAs, Bluetooth devices etc.);
• iPods and MP3 players;
• Handheld gaming devices;
• Smartwatches;
• Wearable electronic fitness devices;
• USB/thumb drives;
• Recording devices (includes smart watches and other non-traditional devices);
• Other items deemed contraband by Consulate Regional Security Office

If you have items which are not permitted to bring into the Consulate, you may wish to store it to the Nearby Luggage Storage. The Consulate General does not vouch for the price or quality of service of any of the organizations. This list of suggestions is provided only as a convenience for those requesting services we are unable to provide.

Access to the Consulate is limited and generally only applicants are permitted to enter and be present during visa interviews. On a case-by-case basis, applicants may be accompanied by ONE non-applicant to assist the applicant during the visa application process if a special need is demonstrated. Please note: The Consulate has the right to refuse entry to any person.

• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring one person to assist them if they are over 80 years of age, are a minor child, or are disabled and require assistance to complete the application process.
• Due to waiting room size, the large volume of applicants and the time required to screen consular clients, persons not meeting the criteria above will not be permitted to accompany an applicant. Drivers, friends, and extra relatives, including the relatives of interpreters, must wait outside or return to meet the applicant after the interview has been completed.

Most applicants will be told if they qualify for a visa at the time of the interview. Because it usually takes several business days to process and print the visa, applicants should not purchase tickets to the United States until they have received their passport with the U.S. visa affixed inside.

See also: Related Information on Applying for an Immigrant Visa