Apply for a U.S. Visa

Drop-Off Service (Interview Waiver)

On this page:

• Important Notice
• Overview
• Qualifications
• Supporting Documentation
• How To Apply
• E Visa Electronic Document Submission

Important Notice

Ensure you meet the qualifications before submitting your application for drop-off service. Include all required supporting documents for your visa type. You must include a photo following the requirements here. If your photo was used on a prior visa or is older than six months your visa will be delayed. For H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, R-1, and R-2 applicants applying with a Taiwan passport, please include your money order fee payment consistent with instructions or you will be required to appear at AIT in person for an interview. Blanket L-1 applicants should also include a money order fee payment. Applicants applying for an E visa through Drop-off service must email their supporting documents to the AIT E Visa team at AITEVisa@state.gov between 2 and 4 weeks prior to dropping off their application.  

Students:  Apply for a visa as soon as you receive your I-20 form from your school. If you have your I-20 form, you may apply as early as one year in advance of your program start date. For all students, we recommend applying more than three months prior to your intended departure from Taiwan. Contact your school if you still do not have your I-20 form three months before your intended departure.

Overview

Drop-off visa services usually eliminate the need to come to AIT. The use of drop-off service does not guarantee visa issuance. Infrequently, drop-off applicants may still be required to appear for an in-person interview.

Drop-off visa applications are typically completed and returned to you within ten business days (or fifteen to twenty business days for E visas.)

Qualifications

You may be eligible to apply for a U.S. visa by drop-off service based on any one of the following three criteria:

1, Age: Any application prior to your 14th birthday or after your 80th birthday.

2, Renewal: Renewing any prior nonimmigrant visa (including B visas) within the same visa class that is still valid or expired less than 48 months ago.

• For example: If you are applying for a B visa, and have an approved B visa that is still valid or expired within the last 48 months, you may be eligible for drop-off service.
• For E visa renewal applications, you may be eligible for drop-off service if you previously received a visa in the same visa class and you are continuing employment with the same company or employer.

3, Any Previous Nonimmigrant Visa (Except a B Visa): Individuals applying for any nonimmigrant visa class who:

• previously interviewed for and received a nonimmigrant visa in any class (unless the only prior issued visa was a B visa); and
• are applying within 48 months of their most recent nonimmigrant visa’s expiration date.
• In order to qualify for drop-off service under this criteria, treaty E1 and E2 visa applicants should also demonstrate that the most recent E visa application submitted by the U.S. company owner or employee was approved by AIT.

      For example:

• If you are a first-time H-1B visa (or any visa class) applicant but previously interviewed for and received an F-1 visa (or any non-B visa) and your F-1 visa (most recent visa) is still valid or expired less than 48 months ago, you may be eligible to apply by drop-off service.
• If you are a first-time H-1B visa applicant (or any visa class) and previously interviewed for and received an F-1 visa (or any non-B visa) but your F-1 visa (most recent visa) expired more than 48 months ago, you do not qualify for drop-off service.
• If you are applying for a J-1 visa (or any visa class) and you previously interviewed for and received an F-1 visa (or any non-B visa) which expired more than 48 months ago and a B visa (most recent visa) which is still valid or expired less than 48 months ago, you may qualify for drop-off service.
• If you are applying for a B visa (or any visa class) and you had an F-1 visa (or any non-B visa) which is still valid or expired less than 48 months ago, you may qualify for drop-off service. 
• If you are applying for an F-1 visa (or any visa class) and the only visa you received previously was a B visa, you do notqualify for drop-off service. 
• A prior ESTA travel does not qualify you for drop-off service.

Requirements for ALL Drop-Off Applications:

• You must be physically present in Taiwan at the time when your application is submitted to AIT.
• You must be a citizen or resident of Taiwan.
• If you previously applied for a U.S. visa or ESTA, your most recent application was approved.
• If your most recent application for a U.S. visa was refused, and not subsequently approved, or if your most recent ESTA application was denied, you must schedule an appointment for a visa interview.

If you do not qualify for drop-off service schedule an appointment for a visa interview.

E Visas:

All E visa applicants must email required electronic supporting documents to the AIT E Visa team at AITEVisa@state.gov prior to dropping off your application. See instructions here. AIT requests electronic supporting documents be emailed between 2 and 4 weeks in advance of dropping off your application. Failure to do so will delay your application processing. 

If you do not qualify for drop-off service, schedule an appointment for a visa interview. 

Supporting Documentation

All drop-off service applicants should provide items in the following order:

• Unexpired passport and if not a Taiwan passport, photocopy of your Alien Resident Certificate (ARC).
• Passport containing the most recently issued U.S. visa (if applicable).
• Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter (see Step 5 below).
• DS-160 confirmation page for each applicant.
• One color photograph (5cmx5cm) taken within the last six months and not used on a previous U.S. visa, with a white or off-white background.
• Eyeglasses are not allowed. If using the photo from your passport, ensure it was taken within the last six months. See detailed photo requirements here.
• Visa application fee receipt.
• Additional documents required for your visa category (see below)
• If you legally changed your name since your last visa application, please provide your Taiwan Household Registration Record in English (with detailed notes).
• If you were ever arrested or convicted for any offense or crime in any country, please provide the police record or court documents. 
• Please provide an English translation and a Taiwan Police Criminal Record Certificate. 

Additional Document Requirements by Category: 

• B Visas
• Business travelers: An invitation letter from your employer or the organization in the U.S.
• B-1 Domestic Employee: 
• Employment contract, signed by both you and your employer.  A sample contract is available in English here. See additional information here regarding contract requirements.
• A copy of your employer's visa or other method they will use to enter the United States (their Visa Waiver country passport or U.S. passport)
• C-1/D Visas
• A letter from your employer verifying your position.
• E Visas
• For principal E-1 and E-2 applicants: A completed DS-156E Parts I, II, and III
• For E-3 principal applicants and dependents, an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA), which the U.S. employer obtains from the Department of Labor on behalf of the principal applicant.
• If there is any ownership change, ownership structure information including supporting documents.
• Electronic document submission: Follow instructions here to send required electronic documents by email between 2 and 4 weeks prior to dropping off your application. It’s not necessary for applicants to print and provide the documents required in the electronic submission form; only those documents listed explicitly above are required to be printed.
• F, M, and J Visas
• If attending a masters or doctorate program, or conducting research: A copy of your most recent resume or CV listing your education and professional experiences.
• For F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2 applicants: A copy of your current I-20 signed/endorsed properly.
• For J-1, J-2 applicants: the original form of your current DS-2019.
• J visa Trainees and Interns should also provide the DS-7002 form.
• If a SEVIS fee payment is required, your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt.
• H, Individual L, O, P, Q, and R Visas
• A copy of your current I-797 approval notice.
• A copy of your most recent resume or CV listing your education and professional experiences.

• H-1B, H-4, Individual L-1, Individual L-2, and Blanket L-2 Visas: Taiwan Passport Applicants ONLY
• If applying with a Taiwan passport, you must include a money order (also known as bank draft or 美金匯票) issued by a local bank in Taiwan within the past 5 months payable to American Institute in Taiwan for U.S dollars $54.00. As of June 17, 2023, the reciprocity fee is USD 54.00 per applicant.
• Blanket L-1 Visas
• If you are applying for an L-1 visa under a blanket petition, you must include a money order (also known as bank draft or 美金匯票) issued by a local bank in Taiwan within the past 5 months payable to American Institute in Taiwan for U.S dollars $500.00. More information about this Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee can be found here.
• You should also provide: one copy of your I-129S issued by your employer and one copy of the I-797 issued to your employer by USCIS.  If any field of your I-129S form refers to an addendum or attachment (such as "Proposed Job Title and Duties") please ensure that you include the addendum or attachment with your document packet.  Place the I-129S form and the addendum or attachment on top of the I-797 approval notice.  ONE copy only.  These documents should NOT exceed 30 pages in total.  Use a paper clip to attach these documents together.  (Do NOT staple or put them in sheet protectors.) You will need to present the approved I-129S form to the immigration officer when travelling to the United States. We strongly recommend that you make a copy of the form after you receive it with your visa.
• A copy of your most recent resume or CV listing your education and professional experiences.
• R-1 and R-2 Visas: Taiwan Passport Applicants ONLY
• If applying with a Taiwan passport, you must include a money order (also known as bank draft or 美金匯票) issued by a local bank in Taiwan within the past 5 months payable to American Institute in Taiwan for U.S dollars $37.00. As of June 17, 2023, the reciprocity fee is USD$37.00 per applicant.
• TN Visas
• A contract or letter of employment in the United States - To show that you have a job offer, provide a contract or employment letter from your employer in the United States confirming your upcoming employment in one of the professional occupations listed in Appendix 1306.d.1 of NAFTA Chapter 16. The letter should also include:

• Your purpose of entry;
• A detailed description of your anticipated business activities or job responsibilities;
• Your anticipated length of stay in the United States;
• Your educational qualifications or appropriate credentials demonstrating professional status;
• Evidence of your compliance with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations and/or state laws; and
• Arrangements for your pay.

• Documentation proving that you meet the minimum education and/or work experience requirements set forth in Appendix 1603.d.1 of NAFTA chapter 16 – Evidence of education would include degrees, diplomas, certificates, professional licenses, and /or membership in professional organizations. To demonstrate your experience, present letters from former employers. If you were self-employed, provide your business records.
• Dependent E-1, E-2, E-3D, F-2, M-2, J-2, I, H-4, L-2, O-3, P-4, R-2, TD: Spouse or Child of a Principal Applicant
• Proof of relationship to principal applicant in English version (For example: Taiwan National ID holders, please provide marriage certificate or household registration record with detailed notes; Non-Taiwan National ID holders, please provide marriage certificate or birth certificate.)
• If a spouse or child is applying separately from the principal applicant, include a copy of the principal applicant’s visa.  If the principal applicant changed status or extended status in the U.S. or is exempt from visa requirements, include a copy of the I-797 approval notice or I-94 record of admission issued to the principal applicant.
• H-4, L-2, O-3, P-4, and R-2 applicants should also provide a copy of the principal applicant’s current I-797 approval notice. 

• Children Under 14 years Old
• A copy of Taiwan Household Registration Record in English (listing entire immediate family with detailed notes)
• Copies of the parents’ passport biographic information pages OR national ID cards.
• Copies of the parents' current and/or previous U.S. visas, if applicable.

How To Apply

Step 1: Choose your visa type

Check here for a list of all available visa types. 

Step 2: Complete the DS-160 online application

Complete the online visa application. Anytime you make a new application, you must complete a new DS-160. Each applicant, including children, must have their own DS-160 application. Be sure to read the Guidelines for Completing the DS-160 Form carefully.   

Official or Diplomatic Visas and U.S. Federal Government Sponsored J Visa Applicants: Applicants for diplomatic or official visas and (J) visa applicants participating in a program sponsored by the U.S. Federal Government do NOT need to complete additional steps below. Click the respective link for further instructions. 

Step 3: Create your profile

Create your profile in the registration system and choose your passport delivery method.  

• Free of Charge and Fastest Delivery: Drop off/Pick up your passport and documents at the SF Express Taipei Neihu Distribution Center 
• Address: No.21, Ln. 140, Xing’ai Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City 114, Taiwan
• Drop off/pick up at any other SF Express courier locations: TWD280 per passport/documents.
• For return delivery of your passport and application materials, you can select delivery to your designated (home/office) address: TWD320 per passport/documents.
  *These delivery fees are charged by the courier company and will be collected in cash by courier staff when you drop off, pick up, or receive your documents. Exact change required. Please do NOT put money inside your document package. You can have a representative assist you to drop off, pick up, or receive your passport/documents on your behalf. See this page for more details. You will receive an email notification and text message when your passport is ready for pick-up or delivery. 

Choose “New Application/Schedule appointment” on the left side. Answer the drop-off service questions which will ensure your eligibility to apply for a visa by drop-off.  

Step 4: Pay your MRV visa application fee

After you answer the questions, you will be prompted to pay the visa application fee. After your payment receipt is activated, go back to your online profile to continue the process. For more information about paying your MRV visa fee click here. 

Step 5: Gather your documents

If you are eligible to apply for a visa without an interview, the registration system will ask you to print out the “Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter.” Gather the supporting documents and put them in order as listed above. Please do NOT staple or use sheet protectors, please use paperclips if attaching items together. 

E visa applicants must also follow instructions here to send required electronic documents by email between 2 and 4 weeks prior to dropping off their application. It’s not necessary for applicants to print and provide the documents required in the electronic submission form; only those documents listed explicitly here are required to be printed. 

Step 6: Drop off your application

You or your representative should drop off your supporting documents at a designated document delivery location for delivery to AIT. 

Step 7: Receive your documents

Generally, within ten business days your passport and supporting documents will be returned to you by the document delivery option you previously chose (Step 3).  E visa drop-off application processing time is fifteen to twenty business days.  Please note that this fifteen to twenty business days does not include the two week advance electronic submission.

• If approved, your passport will contain your visa. 
• If an interview is required, the courier will deliver your passport and documents with a 221g refusal letter.  Please follow the instructions on the letter to schedule an appointment for your visa interview.

You can check your visa application status using your DS-160 barcode. You can track the status of your passport delivery using your passport number or your tracking number. Please contact the call center or SF Express if you have questions about the delivery or pick up of your documents. 

E Visa Electronic Document Submission

Applicants renewing their E visa through Drop-off service must email their supporting documents to the AIT E Visa team at AITEVisa@state.gov between 2 and 4 weeks prior to dropping off their application. Failure to do so will delay your application processing. Submissions that do not meet the below requirements will also delay your application processing.

Electronic submission requirements:

• Subject line: Please enter this information in the subject line: DB/planned drop-off month and year/the applicant’s name (in English as listed on passport)/and passport number
  For example: DB/Jun 2023/CHEN, Mei Li/123456789
• Email content: Please enter the following information in your email content.
  - Name of U.S. Enterprise, Business, or Company
  - Has anyone from this U.S. company ever been issued a treaty E-1 or E-2 visa?
  If yes, please provide name and date the most recent E visa was issued.
  - If more than one applicant from your family is applying together on the same day, please list all applicants’ names, passport numbers, and your relationship.
  - Your Taiwan phone number.  (We may contact you via email or telephone if additional information is required.  Please check your email before dropping off your application.)
  - Your company’s point of contact information.  (Name of person in charge of E visa applications/Taiwan phone number/email address)
• Attachment limit: Your submission may not exceed 70 pages in total (supporting documents with more than 70 pages will not be accepted for electronic submission).  The 70-page limit is the sum of all pages in the email package; It is not a per file limitation.
• Attachment format: Attach one file per Exhibit listed below (the only acceptable file formats are the following: DOC, DOCX, PDF).  We do not accept zip or online shared folders or links.  Each exhibit file size must be 1.9MB or less.  Do not combine different exhibit files together.
• Attachment name: Each attachment file must be named according to its Exhibit.
  Example:
  For E-1, you must submit 9 files, named Exhibit A- Company Summary, Exhibit B- Company Letter, etc. 
  For E-2, you must submit 10 files, named Exhibit A- Company Summary, Exhibit B- Company Letter, etc.
  For E-3, you must submit 3 files, named Exhibit A- DS160, Exhibit B- LCA, Exhibit C-Applicant Information. 
  For dependents, you must submit 2 files, named Exhibit A- DS160, Exhibit B- Applicant Information.
• Email submission: Email these attachments to ONE EMAIL to aitevisa@state.gov between 2 and 4 weeks prior to dropping off your application. 

Please review your email submission before sending it to ensure that all required and supporting documents have been submitted with sufficient resolution and are readable.   We may contact you for additional information, if needed. 

Required Electronic Documents for Treaty Trader (E-1) Visa

Required Electronic Documents for Treaty Investor (E-2) Visa

Required Electronic Documents for Australian in Specialty Occupation (E-3) visa

(Documents must be in PDF format when submit electronically; each of the below file size must be 1.9MB or less; do not combine different exhibit files together)

Required Electronic Documents for Dependents

(Documents must be in PDF format when submit electronically; each of the below file size must be 1.9MB or less; do not combine different exhibit files together)