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Non-Immigrant Visas

Application Procedure 

How to Apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa

Step 1

Applicants should begin by completing the Electronic Visa Application Form and make their appointment via an online appointment system.

Individual application forms must be completed and interview appointments must be booked for each individual applicant, even minor children.

NOTE: When you complete your electronic visa application form, write down your barcode number.  You will need this barcode number in order to schedule your appointment online. 

Persons applying for employment-based visas must appear in person for the visa interview and present their original petition and approval notice from the United States Immigration and Nationality Service.  

Personal interviews are also required of applicants applying for student and exchange visitors' visas.  Applicants applying for exchange visitors' visas must have a valid Form DS-2019, issued by the sponsoring U.S. institution.

Applicants for student visas in addition to having the 1-20 should be prepared to present any or all of the following information:

·         Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended

·         Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.

·         Proof that the SEVIS Fee has been paid;

·         Financial evidence showing that you, your parents, or a sponsor have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study

To find the current wait time for a visa appointment in Harare, please click here.

If an applicant needs an earlier interview, they should send an e-mail to:consularharare@state.gov

Step 2

Go to the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy, 172 Herbert Chitepo Ave. Harare, for your interview.  On the date of the interview, each individual applicant applying for a visa is required to pay a non-refundable processing fee of U.S. $131.00, payable in U.S. dollars only at the Embassy.  Applicants who fail to pay this fee to the US Embassy cashier will not be allowed to complete their visa interview and will be forced to make a new visa interview appointment.

Non-immigrant visa interviews are conducted by appointment only Monday through Thursday.  You will need to bring the following items to your non-immigrant visa interview: 

·         A completed EVAF DS-156 application form.

·         A current passport valid for six months after your appointment date.

·         One 5cm x 5cm photograph with a white background.*  

·         $131 U.S. dollar processing fee.

·         If you are a male between the ages of 16 thru 45 years, you must also present a completed DS-157 form.

·         Depending on the purpose of your travel, you may also have to submit additional forms. To learn more about these requirements, please click the "Non-Immigrant Visas" link to the left.

The Embassy is unable to recommend the services of a photographer. Many passport applicants have been able to obtain satisfactory photos at Focal Point Travel Plaza, Kodak Express (next to News Café), Newlands Shopping Center, 9 Sanlam Centre, Newlands, Tel 746277 or 776758 or at Tony’s Studio, shop 15a Southampton Arcade corner of First Street and Union Avenue, tel. 793-598 or 793-278. Both studios’ provides same day photo service.

Your application will be reviewed by a consular officer.  In some cases, additional reviews will be required.  Your information will be submitted and checked in the world's foremost security database, which includes comprehensive information drawn from both U.S. and Foreign Law Enforcement Agencies worldwide.  If your name or a close variation indicates security concerns the process will be delayed.  Additional steps will vary from requests for additional interviews and information to official registration and fingerprinting. This may add at least 6 to 8 weeks to the processing time.

If you have a valid visa in an expired passport, you can still use it if you also have a current valid passport; just carry both passports.

Visas are usually available for pick up the next day.  Special clearances, incomplete applications and fraud investigations may influence the processing time of individual visa cases.  If you are denied a visa and want to appeal, you must pay the US$131 processing fee and submit a new application.