General Information

Citizens of a foreign country wishing to visit the United States temporarily generally must first obtain a non-immigrant visa. There are many types of non-immigrant visas depending on one’s reason for traveling to the U.S. For general information on non-immigrant visas for the U.S. as well as the various types of non-immigrant visas, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s Visa web site.

U. S. law requires that your eligibility for a non-immigrant visitor’s visa be determined on the basis of strong, well-established ties to a residence outside the United States, as well as on the basis of reasonable, credible plans for your visit to the United States. The consular officer’s decision is therefore not made on the basis of any one single fact or document, but rather on the totality of the circumstances presented at the interview.

Visa Waiver Program

Temporary Visitors from certain countries may travel to the U.S. without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Visitors must not only be citizens of a Visa Waiver country but must also meet the requirements of the program.

Expedited Processing

The Consular Section understands that there are times when applicants have urgent cases that need expedited processing. An urgent case may be one of the following:

• A death in the family
• An urgent business matter
• The need to attend a Court hearing
• A student whose classes will start in the U.S. in less than two months

Applicants with an urgent need to travel to the U.S. should contact the U.S. Embassy Praia at 260-89-00 or the Consular Section via email at praiaconsular@state.gov. The Consular Section will make every effort to schedule and process urgent cases as quickly as possible. Applicants should be prepared to present documentary proof that their case requires expedited processing. Depending on the type of case, proof might include:

• Death cases - Death certificate or letter from funeral home
• Urgent business cases - Documents from a reputable U.S. business explaining the nature of the urgent business matter
• Court cases - Court summons (or other legal document explaining the need for the applicant’s presence in the
• Students – Documents from the student’s college or university, a form I-20, proof of SEVIS fee payment.

Drop Box Process

A Drop Box process is available for A and G visa applicants (Foreign Government Officials and officials of International Organization who are on official travel). However, A-3 and G-5 applicants cannot use the drop-box process. People that qualify for the Drop Box may deposit their completed visa application with the Consular Section every Monday from 8:00am until 9:00am. A and G visa applicants who qualify for the Drop Box must first do the following:

1. Complete the electronic Form DS-160, and print the confirmation page.  (Please note:  the Embassy no longer accepts the old DS-156 visa application form.)
2. Bring the following items to the U.S. Embassy:
   
   (a)  The DS-160 confirmation page
   
   (b)  One (1) recent passport photograph, 1.5 inches square, for each applicant, if you did not upload a photo when you filled out the DS-160.  Photographs should be no more than 6 months old. Every applicant must have a full front face photo. Do not staple on the head or face of photograph.
3.  A passport valid at least six months beyond your expected arrival date. (Those who are not citizens of Cape Verde should present their residence permit or passport containing their Cape Verdean residence visa.)