Non-Immigrant Visas
General Information
| IMPORTANT INFORMATION: |
|
The U.S. Embassy in Macedonia is pleased to announce changes to the nonimmigrant visa application and appointment process. Starting December 3, 2012, applicants will no longer be required to purchase a PIN number as part of the application process. Applicants must still pay the visa application fee (also known as the Machine Readable Visa or “MRV” fee), but we now offer more convenient options for paying the visa fee. We will also offer many convenient locations throughout Macedonia where applicants can pick up their visas. Beginning December 3, 2012, the U.S. Embassy will provide services for visa information, appointments, and visa fee payment as follows: Complete visa information, MRV (visa fee) payment and appointment scheduling are available via three methods:
The MRV fee (visa application fee) may be paid online or over the telephone, with a MasterCard or Visa credit card. It may also be paid in person in Macedonia at any Komercijalna Banka location using Denars or in Kosovo at any Raiffeisen Bank, using Euros. Applicants who wish to pay at a bank must first log on to http://usvisa-info.com to print a deposit slip. More convenient visa delivery: Applicants from Macedonia will now be able to pick up their visas at various locations throughout Macedonia. There is no additional charge for this service. Applicants from Kosovo will still pick up their visas at the U.S. Embassy. To begin the process of applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa, applicants should go to http://usvisa-info.com or contact our Visa Information Service at the numbers listed above. The telephone information service will be open for extended business hours from 7:00 to 21:00 local time, Monday through Friday. Regular business hours will resume after 60 days. Please note than an online visa application must be completed and required visa application fees must be paid before an appointment can be scheduled. It is our goal to ensure that applicants already in the scheduling process are not negatively affected by these changes. If you have already paid your MRV fee prior to December 3, 2012, but have not yet scheduled an appointment, please send an email to consularskopje@state.gov. |
Non-Immigrant Visa Services
The U.S. Embassy Skopje is designated as the venue for U.S. nonimmigrant visa services to citizens of Kosovo. To request an appointment for an interview, please purchase a personal identification number at Raiffeisen Bank. Once the pin is activated call 038-247-973 to schedule an appointment. Provide your full name, passport or travel document number, purpose of travel and proposed date of travel.
Kosovo citizen passport holders require a non-immigrant visa for temporary visits to the United States. In order to qualify for a non-immigrant visa, you must generally prove to the consular officer that you have a residence in a foreign country which you do not intend to abandon, that you intend to enter the United States for a period of specifically limited duration, and that you seek admission for the sole purpose of engaging in legitimate activities related to your visa class. These factors are often established by showing permanent employment, meaning business or financial connections, close familly ties, and social and cultural associations that will indicate a strong inducemnt to return from abroad. The most widely known nonimmigrant visa category is the visitor visa (B), which is used by aliens who wish to enter the United States temporarily for business purposes or for tourism, visiting relatives and friends, or similar reasons. Other categories of nonimmigrant visas include for those persons who wish to enter as representatives of foreign governments (A&G), in transit (C), as crewmen (D), students in academic or language programs (F), temporary workers and trainees (H), journalists (I), and exchange visitors (J). To schedule an interview appointment, see How to Apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa. Interviews generally take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, except on Macedonian and American holidays. The average visa appointment wait time is given at
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html
Please not that ONLY persons applying for a visa will be admitted to the embassy. Visa applicants with children who are not applying for a visa should make appropriate arrangements for child care. Minors who apply for a visa may be accompanied by one adult.
Also NOTE that certain items are prohibited when entering the Embassy such as cell phones, tape recorders or players, cameras, electronic items, smoking items, sharp instruments, ect.
Please watch this brief video (DSL/cable) for additional information on the U.S. visa program.
Valid Visas in Old Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Passports for Kosovo Citizens:
Effective November 30, 2011 the US Embassy in Skopje will no longer consider the old, blue colored “Federal Republic of Yugoslavia” passports as valid travel documents for the purpose of visa issuance. If you wish to travel with a new Kosovo passport you must apply for a new U.S. visa. You also must bring your valid U.S. visa in your old Federal Republic of Yugoslavia passport with you to the visa interview so that the old visa may be cancelled by the Consul. Issuance of a new U.S. visa is not automatic. You must apply and qualify for a brand new visa, and bring all required documents to the visa interview. Please see the following link for instructions on applying for a new U.S. visa.
However, if you have a current, dark red colored “Republic of Serbia” passport, and a valid US visa in one of the old “Federal Republic of Yugoslavia” passports, you may travel with that passport along with a valid “Republic of Serbia” passport.
Are You Coming to the United States Temporarily to Work or Study?
-
We are confident that you will have an interesting and rewarding stay. However, if you should encounter any problems, you have rights and you can get help!
