Visa Services and Application Procedure

For complete information on U.S. visa requirements, including studying, doing business or just visiting, click here: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/

To read the complete State Department announcement/statement on Biometric Passports, click here: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2004/35066.htm

For a complete list of Visa Waiver Countries, click here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa_waiver.html#2

To visit the U.S. Consular homepage, click here: http://travel.state.gov/

Processing Time
SAME DAY PROCESSING for nonimmigrant visas in Kampala. Applicants do not require appointments and all cases are adjudicated on the day of application.

General Information on Visas
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.

Note on Country of Residence:
Applicants for visitors' 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 will be difficult to qualify for a visa if applying outside the country of permanent residence.

Scheduling Your Application
Applications are accepted Monday through Thursday (except Ugandan and U.S. holidays). Applicants should be in line no later than 7:30 A.M. All applicants present by 7:30 a.m. will be admitted that day for a visa interview. There is no need to arrive earlier than 7:30 a.m. nor is there an advantage in doing so.

In order to be admitted, the applicant must be present with her or his passport. There are no exceptions. If you have a previous passport, you MUST bring it with you to the interview!!

Only visa applicants will be admitted to the application area, except:
- parents of minor children;
- assistants for the elderly or infirm;
- required translators for languages other than Luganda.

Note: Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The U.S.Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) officer at the port of entry has authority to deny admission. The CBP, not the consular officer, determines how long the bearer of a visitor visa is authorized to remain in the United States.