For those clients of ours that will be having their immigrant visa interview in El Salvador, the US embassy recently announced a change on how the process will go. They are now requesting immigrant visa applicants complete TWO visits to the embassy. The change will affect all immigrant visa applicants with appointments after August 31, 2022.
We would like the following information with you as our goal is for our clients to be prepared on the day of the interview and increase the chance of a same day issuance, avoiding unnecessary delays.
All immigrant visa applicants will visit the embassy at least twice during the immigrant visa process. Once to complete document review and biometrics, and a second visit for their visa interview.
First Visit: Document Review & Biometrics
Their first visit to the embassy is for document review to ensure applicants have all necessary papers, collect fingerprints, submit photos, and verify passport information. This process will reduce the time spent in the waiting room and – more importantly – significantly increase the chance each visa application can be issued on the day of the interview.
Applicants do not schedule an appointment for document review. They must come to the embassy between 1:00pm and 3:00pm on the same afternoon as their medical examination, except on Friday afternoons, U.S./Salvadoran holidays, or if the embassy is otherwise closed to the public. If an applicant’s medical examination occurs on a Friday or when the embassy is closed, they must visit the embassy any afternoon between 1:00pm and 3:00pm (Monday – Thursday) to complete document review.
Second Visit: Visa Interview
Their second visit to the embassy is for the actual visa interview and occurs on the date and time scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC). If an applicant did not complete document review before the day of their visa interview, they may be required to reschedule their visa appointment.
If you have any questions, please give our office a call at 972-418-0003 or contact the US embassy in San Salvador using the contact information below:
Callers in El Salvador: Call 2113-3122 or 2113-3130.
Callers in the United States 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central Time Saturdays: Call (703) 745-5476.
Email: support-elsalvador@ustraveldocs.com.