IMPORTANT CHANGES TO NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PROCEDURES STARTING IN MARCH

Beginning March 9, 2012, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul has implemented new visa application procedures. With only one payment (the current MRV fee based on the visa classification), the following services will be provided to all applicants under the Global Support Strategy (GSS) by our authorized partner, CGI Stanley:

• MRV fee collection, either over the counter or online, at any Citibank, or online payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through your own bank, where available.
• Scheduling of visa appointments
• Providing information on general visa inquiries
• Delivery of passports for approved visa applications and additional required documents

Applicants who have paid the visa application fee (MRV fee) at Shinhan Bank before March 9, please read carefully before for important information about scheduling your interview appointment. Applicants who have paid the MRV fee at Shinhan Bank and wish to have an interview before April 1 must schedule an interview by email. Applicants who have paid the MRV fee at Shinhan Bank and who wish to interview after April 1 may appear at the embassy without a scheduled interview. Please see below for important details.

Beginning March 9, nonimmigrant visa processing now follows these steps:

Step 1: Please visit the GSS website for details regarding visa types, application requirements, and application fees.

Step 2: Pay the visa application fee. Information regarding payment options and instructions for how to pay the fee is available here. 

Step 3: Complete the visa application (Form DS-160) online at http://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. Print the Confirmation Page when finished.

Step 4: Go to the GSS website to make an appointment for an interview at the Embassy, or call the GSS call center. (You must wait at least 4 hours after paying the fee). When making an appointment, you will also choose where you want your passport sent if your visa is approved. Please print the appointment confirmation letter. The appointment letter must be printed at the time your appointment is confirmed. You will not be allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy without the appointment letter.

Step 5: Come to the Embassy for your interview on the appointed day. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. In addition to your supporting documents for the visa application, you must bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, a printed copy of your appointment letter, and a printed copy of your appointment letter..

Step 6: Passports with visas will be returned to you at your home or business at no extra cost, or you may opt to pick them up at one of several service centers around South Korea. You will specify the method and address when you make your appointment (Step 4).

AFTER MARCH 8, VISA APPLICANTS MAY NOT PAY VISA FEES AT SHINHAN BANK

Shinhan Bank no longer collects visa fees. Payments made at Shinhan bank before March 9 will be accepted during the period of the receipt’s validity. If the fee was paid at Shinhan Bank, an appointment cannot be made via the website, and must be made by e-mail. Please note, after March 8, 2012 Shinhan Bank will not be able to assist customers with issues related to visa receipts. Beginning March 9, please resolve fee payment issues directly with the U.S. Embassy.

DIPLOMATIC VISAS and GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PROGRAMS

Applicants for no-fee visas in categories including A, G, C-3, government-sponsored J programs, and diplomatic passport holders, please see this page for details on visa processing.

UNUSED VISA APPOINTMENT PINS

Unused VisaPoint™ personal identification numbers (PINs) are no longer valid. If you paid the MRV fee at Shinhan Bank before March 9, 2012 an interview must be scheduled by e-mail.

In connection with these changes, please be informed of the following:

• VisaPoint™ personal identification numbers (PINs) for visa appointment scheduling are no longer available for purchase.
• MRV fee payments can no longer be made through Shinhan Bank. through March 8, 2012. Applicants who pay within this period, or applicants who paid the fee but have not yet booked an appointment, must schedule an interview by e-mail.
• Applicants who have paid the MRV fee at Shinhan Bank before March 9 and who wish to interview before April 1, 2012 must send an email to seoulinfo@state.gov to schedule the appointment.  This email should include your name, date of birth, Shinhan Bank receipt number, visa category, date of receipt issuance, and desired interview week. Please write "NIV Appointment" in the subject line. You will receive a response from the U.S. Embassy notifying you of your interview date and time. 
• Applicants who have paid the MRV fee at Shinhan Bank before March 9, 2012 and who wish to interview after April 1, 2012 may appear at the U.S. Embassy after April 1 without scheduling an interview. You must bring your original Shinhan Bank receipt, a printed copy of your DS-160 confirmation page, valid passport, and any other required application documents. 
• MRV fee payments are not transferable. When an applicant pays the MRV fee, the applicant’s passport (or a photocopy of the passport’s biographic page) must be presented to the bank teller. The applicant’s passport number will be tied to the MRV fee paid at the bank. The same rule applies to online payment of MRV fees.   

The changes noted above may require two groups of visa applicants to pay special attention to their fee payment and appointment scheduling:

Nonimmigrant visa applicants who paid the visa application fee at Shinhan Bank before March 8 but did not purchase an appointment pin by March 2 or schedule the appointment by March 8.

If you have paid the visa application fee (also called the “MRV fee”) at Shinhan Bank but did not purchase a VisaPoint™ personal identification number by March 2 and have not scheduled a visa interview appointment by March 8, please send an email to Seoulinfo@state.gov with your name, date of birth, Shinhan Bank receipt number, visa category, date of receipt issuance, and desired interview week. Please write "NIV Appointment" in the subject line. You will receive a response from the U.S. Embassy notifying you of your interview date and time. 

Applicants who have paid the MRV fee at Shinhan Bank before March 9, 2012 and who wish to interview after April 1, 2012 may appear at the U.S. Embassy after April 1 without scheduling an interview.  You must bring your original Shinhan Bank receipt, a printed copy of your DS-160 confirmation page, valid passport, and any other required application documents.