Requesting an Expedited Appointment

If you have an unforeseen travel need as per one of the criteria listed below, you may qualify for an expedited appointment depending on availability at the U.S. Embassy.

Qualifications

Before you request an expedited appointment, you must first schedule an appointment through the regular, appointment scheduling procedure and also ensure that you have documentary evidence to prove the urgency.  Requests for emergency appointments will not be considered unless an initial appointment has been scheduled online.  If it appears during your visa interview that you misrepresented the reasons for urgent travel, such facts will be noted on your case file and may adversely influence the outcome of your visa application.  Applicants who are granted an expedited appointment but subsequently refused a visa at the U.S. Embassy will not be allowed to utilize this option to obtain another expedited appointment for the same purpose of travel.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments.  For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

Generally, only requests falling into the following categories will be considered for an emergency appointment:

1. Humanitarian request for immediate family members traveling to meet and assist a seriously ill relative or to assist with a family emergency.
2. Students (F-1, M-1 ), exchange visitor (J-1) who have not been refused a visa in the last 12 months and if there are no online appointments available in time for the expected start date of your program or you are a returning student/exchange visitor.
3. Business travelers who are attending specific meetings at the written request of an U.S. company, who are not traveling for general purposes or for mixed meeting and pleasure purposes.

Medical Need

Purpose of travel is to obtain urgent medical care, or to accompany a relative or employer for urgent medical care.

Essential documentation:

• A letter from your doctor describing the medical condition and why you are seeking medical care in the United States.
• A letter from the physician or hospital in the United States indicating that they are prepared to treat the case and providing the approximate cost of the treatment.
• Evidence of how you will pay for the cost of the treatment.

Funeral/Death

Purpose of travel is to attend the funeral of or make arrangements for repatriating the body of an immediate family member (mother, father, brother, sister, child,) in the United States.

Essential documentation:

• A letter from the funeral director stating the contact information, the details of the deceased, and the date of the funeral.
• You must also present evidence that the deceased is an immediate relative.

Urgent Business Travel

Purpose of travel is to attend to an urgent business matter where the travel requirement could not be predicted in advance.

Essential documentation:

• A letter of invitation from the corresponding company in the United States attesting to the urgency of the planned visit, describing the nature of the business and that either the U.S. or local company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an expedited appointment is not available.

or

• Evidence of a necessary training program in the United States of three months duration or less, to include letters from both the local employer and the U.S. company providing 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 if an expedited appointment is not available.

Students or exchange visitors

Purpose of travel is to begin or resume a valid program of study in the United States within 60 days when no regular visa appointments are available. This option is limited only to students and exchange students who are within 60 days of their start date.

Essential documentation:

• Original Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 indicating start date of program within 60 days.
• Evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee (when applicable).

Applying for an Expedited Appointment

Step 1

Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.

Step 2

Schedule an appointment online for the earliest available date. Please note that you must schedule an appointment before you can request an expedited date. At the time you schedule your appointment, you will see an onscreen message showing the earliest available appointment date.

If you wish to proceed with requesting an expedited appointment, then you need to send your request via email to ReykjavikConsular@State.gov.  Please be sure to note the type of urgency you believe qualifies you for an expedited appointment.  Once you have submitted your request, please wait for a response from the U.S. Embassy which will be sent as a response to your email.

Step 3

If the U.S. Embassy approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you as to the new date and time of your appointment.

Should the U.S. Embassy deny your request for an expedited appointment, you will be notified of the denial by email and you should keep your existing appointment.

Note: The email confirming or denying your request will come from ReykjavikConsular@State.gov.  Some email applications have rules which filter unknown senders into a spam or junk mail folder.  If you have not received your email notification, please look for the message in your junk and spam email folders.

Step 4

Visit the U.S. Embassy on the date and time of your visa interview.  You will need to bring a printed copy of your Form DS-160 confirmation page, one photograph taken within the last six months, your current and all old passports and supporting documents. Applications without all of these items may result in delays in processing.