Apply for an Emergency Appointment

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Overview

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

Qualifications

Before you apply for an emergency 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 emergency travel, such facts will be noted on your case file and may adversely influence the outcome of your visa application. All applicants requesting an emergency appointment are required to first pay visa fees for a regular visa appointment. Applicants who are granted an emergency appointment but subsequently refused a visa or who or missed their interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate will not be allowed to utilize this option to obtain another emergency appointment.

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 emergency appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

    Medical Emergency

    Purpose of travel is to obtain emergency medical care, or to accompany a relative or employer for emergency medical care, or to visit a relative suffering from an immediate, life-threatening medical condition.

    Essential documentation:

    1. A letter from your doctor in the Philippines describing the medical condition and why you are seeking medical care in the United States.
    2. 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.
    3. 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:

    1. A letter from the funeral director stating the contact information, the details of the deceased and the date of the funeral.
    2. 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:

    1. 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 Philippine company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an emergency appointment is not available.

    2. OR
    3. Evidence of a necessary training program in the United States of three months duration or less, to include letters from both the Philippine 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 Philippine company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an emergency appointment is not available.

    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 temporary workers to make every effort to schedule regular appointments during their planned stays in the Philippines. However, in limited cases, the Embassy will consider emergency appointments for these types of travel. A list of documentary requirements for students and temporary workers can be found on the U.S. Embassy Manila website.

    Essential documentation:

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

How to Apply

    Step 1

    Pay the visa application fee.

    Step 2

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

    Step 3

    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, which includes emergency appointments. Accordingly, you may find that it is not necessary to request an emergency appointment because there are regular dates available. If you wish to proceed with requesting an emergency appointment, then complete the Emergency Request Form or contact the call center to request assistance. Please be sure to note the type of emergency you believe qualifies you for an emergency appointment. Once you have submitted your request, please wait for a response from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, which will come via email.

    Step 4

    If the U.S. Embassy/Consulate approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your emergency appointment online. Please understand that the call center cannot schedule your emergency appointment for you, but agents are able to assist you if questions arise. Should the U.S. Embassy/Consulate deny your request for an emergency 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 no-reply@ustraveldocs.com. 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.

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