Summer Travel

Q: How early should I apply for a visa?

 The answer is:  “As soon as you can”!  The embassy’s visa section is always very busy in May, June, and July.  If you are making  plans for summer vacation, including travel to visit family or friends in the United States, NOW is the best time to apply for your U.S. visa.  At this time of the year, fewer applicants apply for visas; this means a better availability of appointments and shorter wait times.  Ideally, applicants should make their appointments at least two months before the date that they wish to travel.  Applicants who are planning to travel this summer and do not yet have an appointment should make one soon.  This will help you avoid the longer waiting time for an interview appointment and the disappointment and inconvenience of disrupted travel plans.

Q: What if I need an expedited appointment?

Applicants with emergency travel needs should first try to obtain a timely appointment through our on-line appointment system before contacting the Visa Information Service.  More information on expedited appointments is available at:  http://georgetown.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant-visas/emergency-travel.html.  Failure to plan ahead for non-emergency travel is not grounds for an expedited appointment; the visa services section will schedule expedited appointments only in those cases where a genuine emergency exists.

The waiting period for an interview appointment varies with demand. At this time of year, the embassy is able to offer appointments within three to five business days.  However, during certain times of year, like the busy summer season, the wait can be as long as several weeks.

Qualified applicants can ensure their ability to obtain a visa in time for their planned travel by requesting their appointments early.

Q: If I am issued a Visitor Visa, when will the visa be ready?

Qualified applicants generally receive their visas in two business days after their visa application interview

Q: What do I need to bring to the interview?

Applicants applying for visitor visas need only bring their passport, photograph, and DS-160 confirmation page.  Unless requested, supporting documents for regular B1/B2 visas are not required.  The interviewing officer will evaluate the applicant’s qualifications based on the interview and information available from the application form.  This policy allows for better consideration of the applicant’s qualifications.  All applicants should come to their interview prepared to speak about their reasons for visiting the United States and their home, family, and employment circumstances in Guyana. Applicants applying for visas for other purposes, such as student or crewmember visas, should come prepared with all required documents.

You may obtain a list of specific required documents for different visa categories by contacting our Visa Information Service on telephone number 225-8732 (local) or 703-439-2359 (U.S).  Applicants should check their passports to make sure they have AT LEAST six months remaining validity from the date of their planned travel and that their passports are in good physical condition. The Embassy cannot issue a visa in a passport that is damaged or mutilated or will expire soon.  For step-by-step visa application instructions, please visit the Embassy’s website: http://georgetown. usembassy. gov/niv-how-to-apply.html.

“Ask the Consul” is a bi-weekly column from the U.S. Embassy answering questions about U.S. immigration law and visa issues. If you have a general question about visa policy please email it to us at AskGeorge@state.gov.  We select questions every other week and publish the answers in Stabroek News and on our website at http://georgetown.usembassy.gov/ask-the-consul.html .  Information about visas and travel can be viewed at http://georgetown.usembassy.gov, http://travel.state.gov, and at http://www.dhs.gov.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare their own documents and avoid third-party advice.  U.S. Consular rules change frequently and non-US government advisors often provide inadequate or inaccurate information.

Other than the questions we select, we DO NOT respond to questions sent to Ask the Consul. Please contact the Visa Information Service on telephone number 225-8732 or 703-439-2359 if you have procedural questions or e-mail visageorge@state.gov for case specific information.