FAQ's

New Visa Procedure Questions and Answers

What is the new process for applying for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States?
Before applicants can schedule an appointment, they will be required to complete the DS-160 online application and pay the visa application fee (MRV fee).  If the applicant chooses to pay the MRV fee at Banamex or Scotiabank, each applicant will print a deposit slip with the correct amount of the MRV fee and the applicant's receipt number.   The MRV fee can also be paid by credit card through the appointment website or by telephone.  The appointment website will be available soon.

Whether the applicant schedules an appointment through the web site or through the call center, the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form bar code number and the MRV receipt number will be collected prior to the scheduling of the appropriate appointment for the ASC as well as the consular section appointment, if required.

During the scheduling process, applicants will have an opportunity to choose a convenient DHL location to pick up their passports with the approved visa. 

What is the difference between an Applicant Service Center (ASC) and a call center?
An ASC is a facility contracted by the U.S. government to collect biometric data from visa applicants prior to submission to the consular section.  The call centers provide other visa-related services, including making visa appointments, answering visa-related questions, collecting other applicant information, and assisting applicants in choosing a DHL location where the passport and visa can be picked up. 

How will the new process work? 

Before making an appointment online or contacting the Call Center to make an appointment, applicants will download a deposit slip and pay the visa application fee at any Banamex or Scotiabank location.    The fee can also be paid online or by telephone using a credit card.

Applicants will have to provide an MRV receipt number and a DS-160 confirmation number prior to making an appointment online or at the call center.  Applicants will be able to select a convenient DHL location near them to safely collect their passports and approved visas or Border Crossing Cards (BCCs.)  There will no longer be a separate appointment-scheduling fee or a separate courier fee.

The applicant will answer a series of questions either online or through a call center agent to determine whether the applicant needs just an ASC appointment or both an ASC and a consular section interview. If the applicant requires two appointments:  

The first appointment will be at the ASC, where digital photographs and fingerprints will be collected. 

For those applicants who will require a consular section interview, the appointment system will simultaneously book a second appointment at the Embassy or Consulate.  At the second interview, the applicant will be interviewed by a Consular Officer. 

Applicants who qualify for visas will be able to collect their passports at the courier facility they designated when they scheduled their appointment.

Where is the ASC closest to me?
The list of available sites will be available soon

What number do I call to make an appointment through the new process?
Starting January 10th, you will be able to use one of  11 local telephone numbers across Mexico to schedule an appointment through a call center.  There is also a local US number that can be used by applicants who are scheduling appointments from outside of Mexico. The list of phone numbers will be available soon.

Can I make an appointment online?
Yes, an applicant can make an appointment online.  The appointment website will be available soon.

When will the new process take effect?
January 10, 2010

What if I made an appointment prior to January 10 that will occur after January 10?
If you have scheduled an appointment for a date after January 10th, you will be contacted and assisted in rescheduling your appointment in the new system at no additional cost. Please ensure you provide a valid telephone number at the time you schedule your appointment.  If your telephone number has changed, please contact  the Call Center  as soon as possible so that there will be no delays in contacting you.

What are the advantages of an Applicant Service Center (ASC) for Visa Applicants?

The visa application fee (MRV - Machine Readable Visa Fee) will now cover all costs associated with applying for a visa.* This includes the cost for setting up the appointment and the courier delivery fee.  The MRV fee will remain unchanged.  For example, a person applying for a tourist visa will continue to pay USD 140 for the visa application, but will no longer have to pay an additional fee when calling to make an appointment or for courier delivery.

• Some non-Mexican applicants will continue to pay an issuance fee following approval of their visas (see http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html to see the reciprocity schedule).
• Some recipients of "L" intra-company transferee visas will also continue to pay an issuance fee (see http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html#temp for L fee information)

Certain applicants who are renewing their visas will no longer have to visit the Embassy/Consulate for an interview with a Consular Officer.  Some of these applicants will still be required to appear at the ASC for fingerprinting.  Others will not have to visit either the ASC or the Embassy/Consulate in person and will be able to send a representative to submit their applications at the ASC.

What were the costs under the old process?
Under the old process, applicants paid the application fee (USD 140 for tourists, USD 150 for petition based cases, USD 390 for treaty traders and treaty investors).  In addition, they paid USD 1.25 per minute for visa information and to schedule the appointment.  They also paid an $80-135 MXP fee to have the passport delivered to the applicant's home.

Won't the new process require many applicants to make trips to two separate locations?
We estimate that one-quarter to one-third of applicants will need to visit only the ASC and not the Embassy or Consulate.  Other applicants will need to visit two locations, the ASC and the Embassy/Consulate. 

What if I choose not to use the ASC?
All applicants are required to use the ASC.

What if I want the courier to deliver the passport to my home or office?
Under the new process, applicants will pick up passports at a courier facility.  We believe that this procedure provides the greatest security for visa applicants.

Are the Applicant Service Centers (ASCs) being implemented only in Mexico?
No.  ASCs are part of a Global Support Strategy (GSS) that will be implemented at visa processing posts worldwide within the next two years.  ASCs will be implemented in large volume visa processing countries to improve the applicant experience.

The U.S. Consulates in Ciudad Juarez, Monterrey, and Nuevo Laredo have already been using ASCs.  How will the process change at those posts?
Many aspects of the process will seem similar to applicants.  However, those applying at the U.S. Consulates in Ciudad Juarez, Monterrey, and Nuevo Laredo will no longer pay a surcharge for ASC processing.  They will now pay only one visa application fee, just like the applicants at all of the other Mexico posts.  In addition, the MRV fee and the completion of the DS-160 will be required prior to booking an appointment.  Lastly, they will no longer arrange for DHL delivery of their documents while at the ASC.  Instead, applicants will select the desired location for document pick-up as part of the appointment scheduling process.  This will considerably shorten the time spent at the ASC.

Is the ASC staffed by U.S. Government employees?
No, ASC staff work for a company contracted by the U.S. Department of State, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC).  CSC is the same firm contracted to operate our current Visa Call Center.