U.S. EMBASSY KAMPALA VISA SERVICES

Welcome to U.S. Embassy Kampala's Visa Unit webpage.

The Embassy processes nonimmigrant visas for applicants who normally reside in Uganda.  Nonimmigrant visa classifications include all types of visas for travelers who intend to visit the United States temporarily including: tourists, business travelers, students and exchange visitors, religious workers and other petition-based temporary worker visas, and all applicants who intend to transit the United States enroute to another country.

Applicants for nonimmigrant visas should review the links listed on the left side of this webpage for additional information that may pertain to the specific type of visa they are requesting.  In addition, the U.S. Department of State website at http://www.travel.state.gov/ has information regarding U.S. visa policy and application procedures.

All immigrant visas for applicants residing in Uganda (excluding adoption cases -- see adoption information under U.S. Citizen Services) are processed by U.S. Embassy Nairobi.  Those applicants who are the beneficiaries of immigrant visa petitions should review U.S. Embassy Nairobi’s webpage at http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/ for additional information.  The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi also processes all K1 fiancée visas and all Diversity Visa applications for residents of Uganda.

Applicants who are the beneficiaries of I-730 petitions (family member following-to-join petitions commonly referred to as Visas 92 and 93 cases) are interviewed by special appointments only at U.S. Embassy Kampala.  These appointments are made directly with the Consular Section via telephone.  Please see the contact information for additional details on scheduling an appointment.

NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PROCEDURES
All applicants appearing at U.S. Embassy Kampala for a nonimmigrant visa interview are required to have pre-booked an appointment via the internet, and will be required to present their appointment confirmation page printed from the appointment website.  Applicants who fail to present an appointment confirmation will not receive a visa interview, and will be advised to request an appointment via the internet for a future date.
Holders of diplomatic and official passports are not required to book an interview appointment and may appear at the Consular Section with a completed DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form and other documentation between the hours of 7:30 AM and 11:30 AM, Monday - Thursday.  (Please note that the Embassy is closed on most Ugandan and U.S. holidays.)

1)  In order to obtain a visa appointment, applicants must first complete and print out the DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) online at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.  Applicants must correctly complete all fields within the form, click on "submit," and then print out all three pages of the application.

2)  Once the EVAF is completed, applicants then must go the appointment website and enter the "bar code number" (this number is located on the third page of the DS-156 EVAF, at the top and center of the page) in order to obtain an appointment date.
The appointment website is located at:  https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=KMP&appcode=3

3)  Once an appointment time has been selected the applicant must print out the appointment confirmation sheet.  This appointment confirmation sheet and all three pages of the DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form must be presented at the Embassy on the day of the visa interview.  The applicant should NOT email the visa application form and supporting documents to the Consular Section, as an application will only be considered when it is hand delivered by the applicant during their interview.

4)  Applicants should appear at the U.S. Embassy on the day and time of their appointment with all the required forms.  Each applicant should be prepared to demonstrate their purpose of travel to the United States, and for most visa classifications must also be able to overcome a presumption of immigrant intent by demonstrating that their circumstances in their country of residence would compel them to return to their country of residence after a visit or completion of a course of study in the U.S. 

In other words, applicants must demonstrate strong economic, social, and/or familial ties that would compel them to return to their country of residence.  Examples of documentation often presented include letters of invitation and/or support, personal bank statements for at least the three preceding months, evidence of salary and/or personal income, evidence of employment, level of education obtained, etc. 

Please note that on February 20, 2008 the U.S. Embassy Kampala instituted a program with the Ugandan Banking Association whereby prospective visa applicants may request that their financial institution send their account statements directly to the U.S. Embassy Kampala.  This program is voluntary, but statements received directly from participating financial institutions assists visa officers in ensuring that bank statements presented in association with a visa application are not altered, fraudulent, or stolen. 

Applicants who wish to have their financial statement forwarded to the U.S. Embassy should review the information contained in the Press Release of February 20, 2008 and complete (or have their sponsors complete) the required authorization form for their bank.  Participation is limited to the financial institutions that are members of the Ugandan Banking Association.  Applicants should ensure that they present the authorization form to their participating financial institution at least one week before their scheduled visa interview.  Applicants who elect not to participate in the program, or who use the services of other financial institutions, may still present paper bank statements during their visa interview.

The presentation of supporting documentation does not guarantee visa issuance, but assists a consular officer in determining whether or not the applicant qualifies for the visa classification requested.  There is NO requirement that sponsors send letters of invite or support directly to the Consular Section.  Applicants should instead hand carry any letters of invite or support to their visa interview along with other supporting documents.

5)  In addition, all applicants are required to present a current passport valid for at least six months beyond their anticipated date of travel, and any previous passports that they have held.
Only visa applicants will be admitted to the Consular Section, except in cases of:
- both parents of minor children should accompany the child to the interview, and also be prepared to present an official birth certificate for the child as well as their own identification (if one parent is deceased, an official death certificate should be presented, and for guardians who are not the minor's biological parents evidence of legal custody should be presented);
- assistants for the elderly or infirm may accompany an applicant into the Consular Section;
- translators for applicants who speak languages other than Luganda (Consular Section staff translate for Luganda speakers).

6)  Visa applicants are required to pay a $131 (or equivalent in Ugandan Shillings) visa application fee at the Consular Cashier at the U.S. Embassy.  This fee must be paid in cash and is nonrefundable.  Applicants paying the fee in U.S. Dollars are encouraged to pay in exact change as this assists in expediting the visa process.  Each applicant must also present two identical photographs, 2 X 2 inches square, on a white background.  Additional information on photograph requirements, and local vendors that provide photographs which usually meet these requirements can be found at: http://kampala.usembassy.gov/photo_requirements.html.  Applicants who present photographs that do not meet these requirements and dimensions cannot be interviewed and will have to return on another day with replacement photos.

Additional Information for Males between the ages of 16 and 45
All male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality, must also complete and submit the Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form (DS-157) at the time of application.  It is not required that applicants complete this form online, but applicants are strongly encouraged to do so.  The DS-157 is not an electronic form, but applicants may complete all required fields, and then print the form directly from the internet. The DS-157 form and other types of visa forms can be found on the internet site http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.

Additional Information for Student (F1) and Exchange Visitor (J1) Applicants
All student and exchange visitor applicants are also required to complete and submit the Contact Information and Work History Form (DS-158).  It is not required that DS-158 forms be completed online, but applicants are strongly encouraged to do so.  The DS-158 is not an electronic form, but applicants may complete all required fields, and then print the form directly from the internet.  The DS-158 form and other types of visa forms can be found on the internet site: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.
Applicants for student and exchange visitor visas should also review the links listed on the left side of this webpage for information regarding the payment of the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee, and other requirements regarding student and exchange visitor visas.  A receipt showing evidence of SEVIS Fee payment most be presented by first time student and exchange visitor visa applicants during their interview.  This fee cannot be paid at the Consular Section.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON VISAS
Do not wait until the last minute! Inform yourself of visa application requirements and apply for your visa at least three weeks in advance of your planned travel dates. Everyone applying for a visa, including applicants renewing visas, is required to appear in person at the U.S. Embassy.  (Applicants who require an expedited appointment for an emergency such as a death in the family, or emergency medical treatment may contact the Consular Section directly via telephone with such requests.  Applicants renewing student visas or first time student and exchange visitor applicants who have not been denied visas in the past will also be considered for expedited appointments.  Please see the Contact Information link. 

Other requests for expedited appointments will Not be considered.)
Since no assurance regarding the issuance of a nonimmigrant visa can be made in advance, applicants and/or sponsors are advised not to purchase nonrefundable air tickets or make final travel plans (payment for accommodation, conference fees, etc.) until it has been determined that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria for the visa classification requested and the applicant has been issued a nonimmigrant visa.

All applicants should also be aware that the submission of fake or altered documents or misrepresentation of facts in any way may render an applicant permanently ineligible for a nonimmigrant and immigrant visa to the United States.  Cases of stolen financial or other documents may also be referred to local authorities for investigation.

Processing Time
Most applications for nonimmigrant visas are processed within 48 hours, and applicants' passports are generally ready for pickup the next business day for cases where it was determined that the applicant met the eligibility criteria for the visa classification requested.  Certain cases may require additional processing time that can take weeks or months to complete; therefore, all applicants are encouraged to apply at least several weeks in advance of their anticipated travel dates. Click here for information on Visa Wait Times (http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php) at U.S. Embassies worldwide.

A citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa. This visa can be a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.  Nationals of certain countries are not required to have visas if they are traveling to the U.S. for tourism and a visit of 90 days or less.  Additional information about the Visa Waiver Program (http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html) may be found by clicking here.

Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry has authority to grant or deny admission. The CBP officer, not the consular officer, also determines how long the bearer of a visitor visa is permitted to remain in the United States.  The CBP officer will stamp the applicant’s passport when the applicant enters the United States, and the stamp will indicate the length of stay authorized.

Note on Country of Residence
Applicants for visitor's and other types of nonimmigrant visas should apply at the American Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it is often more difficult to demonstrate that they qualify for a visa if applying outside the country of permanent residence.