Renew My Visa

On this page:

Overview

It is important to know that your visa may still be valid even if the passport it is in has expired. You can travel to the United States with an expired passport containing a valid visa as long as you also bring your new, valid passport. Please see the website http://ustraveldocs.com/hk for more details.

To expedite the visa application process, interview waiver might be an option for you. In most cases, this service eliminates the need for an interview.  However, the use of interview waiver does not guarantee visa issuance.  Furthermore, in some cases, after reviewing an application submitted through interview waiver, we may require a person to appear for an in-person interview.

****Please note: you may NOT use interview waiver if:

  • You lost your previous passport that had a valid or expired U.S. visa
  • Your prior visa was issued in a different type of passport (ie: switching from HKSAR to BNO passport or Chinese passport to HKSAR)
  • Your name has been changed
  • Your previous visa is marked “Clearance Received” 
  • You are renewing a B1 domestic helper visa
  • You are renewing a Blanket L1/L2 visa 

Qualifications

You may be eligible to renew your visa without an interview if you are renewing a prior U.S. visa that expired less than 48 months ago (only B1/B2, C1/D, H, L, O, P, F, M or J visas are eligible for this program at this time).

Qualification for interview waiver based on past U.S. Travel:

  • You may also be eligible to apply through interview waiver if you were previously issued a U.S. visa and you can provide the previous original U.S. visa.
  • Your prior visa must have been issued to you when you were age 14 or older, and your fingerprints must have been collected.
  • You must be a citizen or resident of Hong Kong or Macau (proof of residency in Hong Kong or Macau is either a Hong Kong or Macau ID, or a visa with the "right to abode and work.").
  • You must be physically present in Hong Kong or Macau.
  • You must be renewing your B1/B2, C1/D, H, L, O, P, F, M, or J visa.  All other visa classes are not eligible for interview waiver at this time.
  • Your previous visa must still be valid or it must have expired within the last 48 months.

 

Supporting Documentation

All Applicants must provide:

  • Interview Waiver Confirmation letter.
  • The DS-160 application form confirmation page.
  • A valid passport: Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.
  • A passport containing the applicant’s previous original U.S. visa in the same category.
  • All passports issued between the time the applicant’s previous U.S. visa was issued and the present.
  • A copy of your Hong Kong or Macau identity card or your visa with the "right to abode and work".
  • One photograph: Two inches square (51mm x 51mm) color passport/digital photograph, less than 6 months old, against a white background, full frontal view. Detailed guidelines for taking and submitting a quality photograph are on the U.S. Department of State website here. Your application will be refused if your photograph does not meet the requirements.

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT THE SAME PHOTOGRAPH THAT APPEARED ON YOUR PREVIOUS VISA.  Failure to submit a valid photograph will delay the processing of your visa application.

Additional Document Requirements by Category: 

  • C-1/D Visas
    • A letter from your employer verifying your employment and position.
  • F, M, and J Visas
    • For F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2 applicants: the original form 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, L, O, and P Visas
    • Approved I-797
    • Marriage or birth certificates for all dependent applications.
    • Note: Blanket L1/L2 visa applicants do not qualify for the expanded interview waiver program.

Please be sure that all the above items are included in your Interview Waiver application.  Failure to include all requested items will result in delay in process.

How To Apply

If you meet the requirements above, follow the steps below to create a profile and continue the application process.

Step 1

Complete the non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form. (You are required to upload a photograph taken within the last six months as a part of the DS-160 process. Detailed guidelines for taking and submitting a quality photograph are on the U.S. Department of State website here.)

Please note: for applicants who have a name in Chinese characters, you must complete the four-digit telecode in your DS-160 application.  The telecode question can be found at “Personal Information 1” on the DS-160, which asks “Do you have a telecode that represents your name?” Please click “yes,” then there will be space provided for you to fill in your telecode. If you do not know your telecode, you may wish to visit this website for details.

Step 2

Log-in to our online applicant system and create a profile to pay the visa application (MRV) fee at 7-11 or by credit card. Once logged in, choose “Schedule appointment.” 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.

Step 3

After you answer the questions, you will be prompted to pay the visa fee. If you are eligible to apply for a visa without an interview, you will print out the “interview waiver confirmation letter” which you will include with your visa application.

If you are applying for a B1/B2, C1/D, H, L, O, P,  F, M, or J visa, please ensure you read and answer all the interview waiver questions carefully. Only answer Yes to the questions if you fully comply with all points listed under every question. In case you do not qualify for interview waiver and have wrongfully responded to any question, you will be requested to schedule an appointment for an interview, leading to a delay of 1-2 weeks in your visa issuance. Applicants can qualify for interview waiver based on past U.S. travel (if the applicant possesses a visa that expired within last 48 months)

Step 4

Gather your DS-160 confirmation page, interview waiver confirmation letter, current and previous passports, photo, and any other required supporting documentation. Depending on the visa category, you may also be required to pay a reciprocity fee. Please refer to your specific visa category page for additional required documents.

Step 5

To submit applications and documentation without fingerprints, please visit one of the following 5 collection locations:  

Take your interview waiver confirmation letter, DS-160 confirmation page and all the required documents for your visa class along with an A5 mailing envelope to enclose your documents to one of the collection facilities listed below.

Applicants can drop-off their Interview Waiver Application for free at The Hive, 3/F Chinachem Tower, 34-37 Connaught Rd Central,  Central, Hong Kong (MTR Central,  Exit B or MTR Hong Kong station Exit C). Opening hours Monday to Friday 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Effective March 1, 2023, applicants can drop off their Interview Waiver Application for a fee of HKD 195 at the following 4 locations:

  • Buy & Ship (Kwun Tong) RM 109, 1/F, Block G, East Sun Industrial Centre, 16 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon (MTR Kwun Tong Exit B1). Opening hours Monday to Friday 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

  • Buy & Ship (Tuen Mun) Room F ,7/F , Mai Kei Industrial Building, 5 San Hop Lane , Tuen Mun, New Territories (MTR Tuen Mun Exit A). Opening Hours are: Mon-Fri: 12:00pm-08:00pm, Saturday: 12:00pm-07:00pm, closed on Sundays and Public holidays.

  • Buy & Ship (Mong Kok) Unit 15, 16/F, Gala Place, 56 Dundas Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon (MTR Yau MaTei Exit A2). Opening hours Monday to Friday 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

  • Buy & Ship (Causeway Bay) Flat 1701D, 17/F, Causeway Bay Commercial Building, No.3 Sugar Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong (MTR Causeway Bay Exit D2). Opening hours Monday to Friday 12:00 am - 8:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 am - 7:00 pm. Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Note: Please do not submit any documentation in a sealed envelope as this will be rejected by the U.S. Consulate.  If you use an envelope to submit documents, it must remain open at all times.

Step 6

The U.S. Consulate will keep your passport and application for processing and adjudication for approximately 7-10 working days.

Step 7

At the end of the visa adjudication process, the Consulate General in Hong Kong will return your original documents and your passport to you according to the document delivery option you have chosen (Pick-up or Delivery Service).  If issued, your passport will contain your visa.

Important Note: The use of the interview waiver does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, applicants may still be required to appear for a visa interview at the Consulate General Hong Kong, e.g., incomplete and/or inaccurate applications.

Apply for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa