Renew My Visa

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Overview

Applicants meeting the following criteria may be eligible for visa renewal by mail:

  • The applicant is residing in Saudi Arabia.
  • The applicant has never been arrested or convicted of a crime, deported from the United States, or denied entry to the United States.
  • All sections of the DS-160 online application have been answered completely and accurately.
  • Visa renewal by mail can take up to 2 weeks.  All applicants must be able to be without their passports for this period of time.

 B1/B2 visa:

  • The applicant is a citizen of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, or the United Arab Emirates, or holds a Palestinian Authority passport.
  • The applicant is at least 40 years old or 17 years old and under.
  • The applicant is applying to renew a prior full-validity B1/B2 visa that expired no more than 48 months ago.
  • The applicant has not been refused a U.S. visa after the expiration of the last issued B1/B2 visa.

Please note that applicants who have not provided fingerprints because they were under 14 years old at the time of their last visa application will need to come to the Embassy for fingerprinting.  Fingerprinting is generally scheduled for Sundays from 13:00-14:30, but the Consular Section will notify applicants if this is necessary.

 J1 or J2 visa

  • The applicant is renewing a J1 or J2 visa to continue in the same school or program as the prior DS-2019.

  • The applicant is renewing a J1 or J2 visa that expired no more than 12 months ago.

  • The applicant has not been refused a U.S. visa after the expiration of the last issued J1 or J2 visa.

 C1/D or D visa

  • The applicant is renewing a C1/D or D visa that expired no more than 12 months ago.
  • The applicant has never been refused a U.S. visa after the expiration of the last issued C1/D or D visa.

Required Documents and Submission Locations

Please submit only the following required documents as requested by the U.S. Embassy or Consulates General.  Do not submit bank statements, HR letters, travel reservations, or any other unnecessary documents. If additional information is required, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General will contact you.

All Applicants:

  • A copy of the Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter.
  • The DS-160 application confirmation page for each applicant.
  • One colored photograph (51mm x 51mm) taken within the last 6 months against a white background. The image must contain the full face, neck, and shoulders of the applicant in frontal view with a neutral expression and no eyeglasses.
  • Current passport and passport with the most recent U.S. visa.
  • Copy of your visa application fee receipt.
  • Non-Saudi applicants only: a print-out or screenshot of applicant's iqama taken from absher.sa.

How to Apply

Step 1: DS-160 Application

Determine your visa type by reading Common Nonimmigrant Visas. Each visa type explains the qualifications and application items. Choose the visa type that applies to your situation.

Be sure to also review the Visa Waiver Program. If your country of citizenship participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need to apply for a visa if you are traveling for business or pleasure and will only be staying in the Unites States for 90 days or less.

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

Step 2:  Update Profile

Log-in to our online applicant system to create a profile and select courier service options (if available).  Please ensure all your personal and contact information on your www.ustraveldocs.com profile is correct otherwise there will be delays in your visa application processing. 

As you go through the process you will answer the interview waiver questions which will evaluate your eligibility to apply for a visa without an interview. You will also be prompted to select the courier location where you will dropoff and pickup your documents. 

Step 3:  Make Payment

You will be prompted to pay the visa application (MRV) fee using the payment options available in your country of application. 

Step 4:  Print Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter

After you enter your MRV fee payment receipt on your profile you will have access to Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter if you qualify to renew your visa. Otherwise you will be directed to the interview appointment calendar. 

Gather all the required documents listed on the interview wavier confirmation letter, including your DS-160 confirmation page, MRV fee receipt, current and previous passports, photo, and a letter explaining your travel purpose and itinerary. Depending on the visa category, you may require additional documentation and a reciprocity fee. Please refer to your specific visa category page for additional required documents.

Step 5:  Go to Courier Location

Go to one of the courier locations specified  here with your required documents.

Step 6:  Delivery to Consulate

The courier will deliver your documents to the U.S. Embassy.

Step 7:  Passport Retrieval

At the end of the visa adjudication process, the U.S. Embassy will return your documents and your passport to you at the chosen document delivery address in your profile. You will receive an email and SMS once your documents are ready for pickup at the courier location you selected. 

Important Note: The use of the mail-in service does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, applicants may still be required to appear for a visa interview.