Expedited Appointment Process for U.S. Visa in China

In cases of unexpected and urgent travel needs, and in some limited circumstances when U.S. visa applicants can’t wait for a normal appointment, they may be considered for an expedited appointment. There is no additional fee for making an expedited appointment.

Caution

Before requesting an expedited appointment, you must make sure that you meet all the criteria and that you have documentary evidence to prove your situation’s urgency. If the consular officer determines that you misrepresented your reasons for urgent travel, it may adversely influence the outcome of your visa application, as he/she will note such facts in your case file.

Please note that if you qualify for an expedited appointment, all you get is an earlier appointment. An expedited appointment neither guarantees you a visa nor does it increase the chances of getting a visa. You still have to qualify for that visa independently in all aspects.

Not Eligible

• Those who are clearly eligible for drop box renewal service.
  
  
• You must not have been refused a visa within the past 6 months (except for students).
  
  
• If you would like to attend an event that could have been planned well in advance, such as large conventions, weddings, last-minute tourism, assisting pregnant relatives, annual meetings, graduation ceremonies, etc.
  
  
• If you have previously received an expedited appointment and were refused a visa, you may not get another one.

Eligibility

In certain cases, these types of applicants for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa may request an expedited appointment:

• Medical Need
  You may request an expedited appointment if you need to travel to obtain urgent medical care or to accompany a relative or employer for the same.
  
  Required documents:
  • A letter from the physician in China describing the medical condition and that you need to seek medical care in the U.S.
  • A letter from the physician or hospital in the U.S. indicating that they are prepared to treat the case and the approximate cost of the treatment.
  • Evidence of money that would show how you will pay for the treatment. (Travel insurance or any other kind of health insurance is not available to purchase. You will have to come up with the money by yourself.)
    
    
• Death/Funeral
  You may request an expedited appointment if you need to travel to attend the funeral of or make arrangements for repatriating the body of an immediate family member (father, mother, brother, sister, child) who passed away in the U.S.
  
  Required documents:
  • A letter from the funeral director that includes the contact information, the details of the deceased, and the funeral date.
  • Evidence that proves that the deceased is an immediate relative.
    
    
• Students or Exchange Visitors
  If you need to begin or resume a valid program of study in the U.S. within 60 days when no regular visa appointments are available, and you have not been refused a U.S. visa within the last 6 months. If your program start date is more than 60 days away, you are not eligible.
  
  Required documents:
  • Original Form I-20 (F Visa) or Form DS-2019 (J Visa) indicating that the start date of the program is within 60 days.
  • Evidence of payment of the SEVIS Fee, when applicable.
    
    
• Urgent Business Travel
  You may request an expedited appointment if you need to attend an urgent business matter where the travel requirement could not have been predicted in advance. Required documents: One of the following pieces of evidence is required:
  • An invitation letter from the corresponding company in the U.S. attesting to the urgency of the anticipated visit, describing the nature of the business and that either the U.S. or local company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity in the absence of an expedited appointment or drop-off service.
    
    
  • Evidence of a necessary training program in the U.S. of three months’ duration or less. Include letters from both the local employer and the U.S. company that provides the training. Both letters should include a detailed explanation of the training and explain why either the U.S. or local company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity in the absence of an expedited appointment or drop-off service.
    
    
• EVUS Denied
  If your EVUS travel authorization was denied recently, and you need to apply for a new visa urgently, you may request an expedited visa appointment.
  
  
• ESTA Denied
  Citizens of certain countries can travel to the U.S. on the visa waiver program (VWP). However, if they are a dual citizen of Iraq, Iran, Sudan, or Syria, or if they have traveled to Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, or Somalia after March 1, 2011, they are not eligible to travel under VWP. If such individuals need to urgently travel to the U.S., they may qualify for an expedited appointment. Required Documents:
  • A copy of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) message you received regarding your ESTA status.
  • Details about the date and purpose of your travel.
    

Application Procedure

All expedited requests must be in made in English.

1. Complete Form DS-160.
   
   
2. Pay the visa application fee.
   
   
3. Schedule an appointment for the earliest available date. Before you can request an expedited date, you must schedule an appointment. When you schedule an appointment, it will display the earliest available appointment date, which includes expedited appointments. Accordingly, you may find that it is not necessary to request an expedited appointment because there are no earlier dates available.
   
   If you would like to request an expedited appointment, submit the Expedited Request with explanations in English. Submit it online or contact the call center to request assistance. You must specify the type of urgency that you believe qualifies you for an expedited appointment. After submitting the request, wait for a response from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate by email from [email protected].
   
   
4. If your request is granted, schedule an expedited appointment. The call center cannot schedule an expedited appointment for you, but they can help with questions.
   
   
5. Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the date and time of your interview. Carry all relevant documents with you.