Apply for an Expedited Appointment
Overview
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. It is important to ensure you meet all the criteria, because applicants are only allowed to submit one expedited appointment request. Be advised, the consular section considers all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis; requires documentation to support a request; has the sole discretion to decide whether to grant or deny a request.
Qualifications
Before you apply for an expedited appointment, you must ensure that you have documentary evidence to prove the urgency. If it appears during your visa interview that you misrepresented the reasons for expedited 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 or who or missed their interview at the U.S. Embassy will not be allowed to utilize this option to obtain another expedited appointment.
The following types of travel do not qualify for an expedited appointment: attending weddings, attending graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, attending cultural exchange events, attending business training, participating in annual business/academic/professional conferences, and enjoying last-minute tourism. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.
Medical Needs/Urgent humanitarian reasons
Purpose of travel is to obtain expedited medical care, to accompany a relative for expedited medical care, or to visit a relative suffering from an immediate, life-threatening medical condition. Urgent humanitarian reasons will be considered on a case by case basis.
Essential documentation:
- A letter from your doctor in Equatorial Guinea 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, grandparent, or grandchild) 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
An expedited appointment would be appropriate when the purpose of travel is to attend to an urgent business matter or training where the travel requirement could not be predicted in advance and or a severe financial loss to a company or person will occur.
Attending training, sales meetings or conferences are not considered urgent business travel if the need for urgent action is the result of the petitioner’s or applicant’s failure to apply for a visa in a timely manner ahead of necessary travel.
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 explaining why the applicant’s presence is essential.
Students or exchange visitors
The purpose of travel is to return to the U.S. to attend classes or resume working in a timely manner. We expect students and exchange visitors to make every effort to schedule regular appointments during their planned stays in Equatorial Guinea. However, in limited cases, the Embassy will consider expedited appointments for these types of travel.
Essential documentation:
- Original Form I-20 or DS-2019 indicating start date of program within 60 days.
- Evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee (when applicable).
We may also consider an expedite request if it meets one or more of the following criteria:
Compelling U.S. government interests (such as urgent cases for the Department of Defense or DHS, or other public safety or national security interests may also qualify for expedited appointments or be required to be submitted on a referral form.
How to Apply
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. Accordingly, you may find that it is not necessary to request an expedited appointment because there are regular dates available.
Step 3
If you wish to proceed with requesting an expedited appointment, please email Malaboconsular@state.gov. Please be sure to note the criteria 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 come via email.
Step 4
If the U.S. Embassy approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you of the time and date of your expedited appointment. If approved, you should also cancel your existing appointment to avoid having duplicate appointments in the system. 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 malaboconsular@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 5
Visit the U. S. Embassy/Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You will need to bring a printed copy of your appointment letter, your DS-160 confirmation page, one recent photograph, your current passport and all old passports. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.
