How do I apply?

Visa applicants must be interviewed in person by a U.S. Consular Officer. Applicants for visas should generally 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 may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside your country of residence. For example, those applying at the U.S. Consulate in Mauritania should be Mauritanian citizens or hold legal Mauritanian residency and be able to demonstrate strong economic, familial, and/or social ties to Mauritania. All non-Mauritanian applicants should have residency permits that extend through their anticipated dates of travel. Minor children included in a parent’s passport require their own application and fee. 

Remember: You alone are responsible for the accuracy of the information in your application. Intentionally submitting false information either on the application itself or during the visa interview can lead to a finding of a permanent ineligibility. Never sign the application you are submitting without reviewing it first for accuracy if you have had help filling it out.

Every applicant's circumstance is different. We encourage you to carefully review our non-immigrant visa categories before beginning the application process. 

How to Apply Using the DS-160

1. Complete your DS-160 application online.
2. Print confirmation page at the end of the application on a laser printer.
3. Pay the visa application fee at Banque Mauritanienne Pour le Commerce International (BMCI).
4. Schedule an appointment for an interview. 
5. Gather the necessary documents to bring to the interview with you. We encourage you to bring your old passport with you.
6. Report for the interview.

NOTE: Fulfilling the visa application requirements detailed in the items listed above does not guarantee issuance of a visa. A visa may be issued only when the applicant independently qualifies for visa status.