Expediting a Visa Interview

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, employment or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location.  Please refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site.  You will need to provide proof of why an earlier appointment is needed.

In all cases, you must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment.  Once completed, a consular section will review your request for an expedited appointment.

The Applicant should request a letter from the hiring department attesting to the urgency of the situation.  The letter must attest to the urgency of the planned visit, describing the nature of the employment and that stating that either the U.S. and/or Temple University will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an expedited appointment is not available.

 

Sample Letter

United States Embassy/ Consulate

City in Which Embassy/Consulate is Located

Country in Which Embassy/Consulate is Located

Name of TU Employee

Visa Case #  

Passport #  

Date of Visa Interview:  

To the US Consular Officer:

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has approved an H-1B Petition [USCIS Receipt Notice #] with Name of TU Employee listed as the Beneficiary.

Temple University would appreciate it if you could issue Name of TU Employee a (List Type of Visa such as H-1B, O-1) visa as soon as possible as s/he is desperately needed to Explain Why The Applicant is Critical To Your Department.  Explain the negative outcome if the Employee does not receive a visa stamp in a timely manner.

More about our services can be found at provide a website for your department.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Signature of Applicant's Supervisor

Name of Applicant's Supervisor

Title of Applicant's Supervisor