Non-Immigrant Visa Application Procedure

Step 1

Applicants should begin by completing the Electronic Visa Application Form and make their appointment via an online appointment system accessed through the US Embassy website at http://harare.usembassy.gov.

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

NOTE: You will need to enter the barcode number from the electronic visa application form 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 that shows that you, or your parents who are sponsoring you, have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study.
• If being sponsored by someone other than your parents or the school, financial information about your sponsor

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

If an applicant would like an earlier interview than the originally scheduled, he/she must complete an Expedited Appointment Request form and fax it to the Consular Section at 04-250-343. The applicant will be notified by phone if the Consular Section is able to accommodate the request. If an earlier appointment is not granted, no notification will be given.  Please note that expedited appointments will be considered only for emergencies.

Step 2

Go to the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy, 172 Herbert Chitepo Ave. Harare, for an interview and payment of the $131 non-refundable visa application fee.

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. Zimbabwe dollar payments will no longer be accepted for payment of the visa application fee.

As of May 5th, 2008 applicants no longer pay this fee in Zimbabwe dollars at Standard Chartered Bank. If an applicant has already paid this fee in Zimbabwe dollars, they must use the Standard Chartered Bank-issued fee receipt before June 1. After June 1, 2008 these receipts will no longer be accepted and all payments of the visa application fee must be made in US dollars at the US embassy on the date of interview.

Non-immigrant visa interviews are conducted by appointment only Monday through Thursday. All visa applicants must apply for a visa in person. Each person, including children, should submit:

• Valid passport
• A completed and signed visa application form