Information for Nonimmigrants Present in the U.S., and Visiting Canada or Mexico

 

How to Apply for a Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate as a Third Country National in Canada or Mexico

Any third country national (TCN)* present in the U.S. and visitors present in Canada or Mexico who wish to apply for a nonimmigrant visa at the Embassy or consulates in Canada or Mexico, must make an appointment for an interview. U.S. Consulates are located in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver, Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Mexico City, Monterrey, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo and Tijuana.

Applicants who wish to apply for their U.S. visa in Canada must visit http://canada.usvisa-info.com/ to obtain information about how to start their application for a U.S. visa at a consular section in Canada. Applicants will be required to pay their visa application processing fee prior to scheduling an appointment. Please see the website for additional information.

Applicants who wish to apply for their visa in Mexico must visit http://mexico.usvisa-info.com to obtain information about how to start their application for a U.S. visa at a consular section in  Mexico. Applicants will be required to pay their visa application processing fee prior to scheduling an appointment. Please see the website for additional information.

*Please note that embassies and consulates along the U.S. border can no longer accept applications from non-resident TCNs who are nationals of the six countries currently designated as state sponsors of terrorism. For more information, please see the Notice: Special Visa Processing Procedures Pursuant to Section 306 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002.

Who May Not Apply for a Visa at an Embassy or Consulate at the U.S. Border?

Individuals who have been out of status in the U.S. because they violated the terms of their visa or overstayed the validity indicated on their I-94 are not eligible to apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate at the border. In other words, if you have remained in the U.S. longer than the period authorized by the immigration officer when you entered the U.S. in any visa category, you must apply in the country of your nationality or legal permanent residence. If you are not certain about your status, check with the nearest U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service office.

U.S. Embassies and Consulates routinely do not accept applications for "E" visas from third country national applicants who are not resident in their consular districts.

Additional Information

Nonimmigrants who are already in the U.S., have an expired visa, and remain in legal status are encouraged to apply for a new visa at non-border U.S. Embassies and Consulates in conjunction with foreign travel for business or pleasure. Those who plan to visit Canada, Mexico or, in the cases of students and exchange visitors, adjacent islands, may re-enter the U.S. within thirty days on expired U.S. visas as long as they possess a valid I-94 form unless they are excluded from automatic revalidation, as noted below.

Entering the U.S. - Port of Entry

CBP officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the U.S. In advance of travel, prospective travelers should review important information about Admissions/Entry requirements, as well as information related to restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products or other restricted/prohibited goods explained on the CBP website. Additionally, upon arrival (at an international airport, seaport or land border crossing), certain travelers are enrolled in the US-VISIT entry-exit program.

Re-Entry into the U.S. - Important Information

If you are traveling to the U.S. with a nonimmigrant visa, and are taking a short trip(s) to Canada and Mexico, review the Automatic Revalidation webpage. Anyone who has applied for and been refused visa issuance at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate is prohibited from re-admission or re-entry to the U.S. in the same visa category, even though they are in possession of a valid I-94 form. Travelers who are citizens of countries on the State Department's list of State Sponsors of Terrorism are prohibited from re-entering the U.S. using solely an I-94 form if their visa has expired. Citizens from State Sponsors of Terrorism countries must be interviewed and obtain a new visa rather than re-enter the U.S. using solely their I-94 form.