Embassy of the United States

Visitor ( B1 / B2 )

First-time Applicants

If you are going to visit for business or pleasure, you must apply by interview for your B1/B2 visa through Visa Information Web Services at www.us-visaservices.com or by calling 003-08-131-420 from within Korea or 866-222-1107 within the U.S. (open M-F, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Korean standard time, closed on Korean and U.S. holidays). Applicants who are between the ages of 55 and 79 may schedule an expedited appointment that is valid for 30 days by calling 003-08-131-420 within Korea or 866-222-1107 within the United States.

The following categories of applicants DO NOT need to apply by interview:

• Applicants applying before their 14th birthday, if either parent holds a valid U.S. visa.
• Applicants applying on/after their 80th birthday.

A child 13 years old or younger DOES NOT need to come to the Embassy for a nonimmigrant visa (NIV) interview. The child's parent(s) may bring in the child's application at the time of their interview and apply on the child's behalf.

Please click here for a list of B visa application materials.  Please bring all the required application materials fully prepared to your scheduled appointment.

You may apply without an appointment if your travel is due to a genuine emergency such as a death or critical illness of an immediate relative.  During working hours please come to the Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Reception Window with B visa application materials, verification of family relationship (i.e., Certificate of Family Relationship, marriage certificate etc.), and a death certificate or medical doctor's explanation.  The NIV Reception Window is open between 8:30-11:00 and 12:30-3:30, Monday through Friday. The Embassy is closed on both U.S. and Korean holidays. There is no visa processing when we are closed. You will be interviewed and finger scanned at the time of your application.  We cannot guarantee issuance or same-day processing.  Please understand if there are delays.

If you have ever lost or had your passport stolen that contains a valid U.S. visa, the U.S. visa in that passport is invalid even if you recover the passport. Do not use that visa to travel to the United States.  You must apply for a new visa.  Please note that if you are found eligible, a limited one-year validity visa will be issued for the first year.

To apply for a new visa, please schedule an interview online at www.us-visaservices.com or by calling 003-08-131-420 within Korea or 866-222-1107 from within the U.S. (open M-F, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Korean standard time, closed on Korean and U.S. holidays).

Please submit the B visa application materials, as well as the following:

• Entry/exit records from Korean Immigration. (See "How to Obtain a Certificate of Entry/Exit Record ")

 

Updated October 21, 2009