Renew My Visa

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Overview

The Interview Waiver is designed for applicants who do not need to appear at the Embassy to be fingerprinted and interviewed. Applicants can submit their completed visa applications and relevant supporting documents to the U.S. Embassy’s courier listed here. 

Qualifications

The following general requirements MUST be met to qualify for interview waiver: 

  • Lebanese citizen or legal Lebanese resident.
  • Currently present in Lebanon.
  • The applicant complied with all immigration laws and regulations of the United States during previous visits.

The following requirements MUST be met for the specified visa classes:

Tourist, Business, and Medical Travel (B1/B2 visas)

  • 50 – 79 years of age.
    • Renewing a B1/B2 visa (short term business and tourism).
    • The previous B1/B2 visa expired less than 24 months (2 years) ago.
    • The previous visa was NOT cancelled, revoked, lost or stolen.
    • Was not refused a visa in the last 8 months
  • 80 years of age and older
    • Prior visa not required.
    • Was not refused a visa in the last 8 months

Student Travel (F1 Visa)

  • Renewing an F1 visa
  • Returning to the same institution with the same SEVIS ID 
  • The previous F1 visa expired less than 24 months (2 years) ago.
  • The previous visa was NOT cancelled, revoked, lost or stolen.

Exchange Visitors (J1 Visa) 

  • Renewing a J1 visa
  • Returning to the same program sponsor with the same SEVIS ID 
  • The previous J1 visa expired less than 24 months (2 years) ago.
  • The previous visa was NOT cancelled, revoked, lost or stolen.

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.

Step 2:  Create a www.ustraveldocs.com profile by clicking here and select the Visa Renewal Without Interview category. Please answer all questions accurately and follow directions closely.  You will need your passport and DS-160 number to complete all the required information.

Step 3:  Pay the visa application fee using the deposit slip generated from your profile.  The receipt number provided by the bank will be required to schedule your appointment. 

Step 4:  Schedule your interview waiver appointment and print out your interview waiver confirmation letter. 

Step 5:  Submit your completed document to one of the SLS Embassy Services locations specified here. The following documents are required:

  1. Current passport: Your passport must be valid and have at least two blank pages.
  2. Old passport ONLY if it contains your last visa (not required for applicants 80 years and older)
  3. IWP appointment confirmation letter.
  4. DS-160 barcode page.
  5. One photograph: Two inches square (51mm x 51mm) color photograph, less than 6 months old, against a white background.  The image must contain the full face, neck, and shoulders of the applicant in frontal view with a neutral facial expression and no eyeglasses.
  6. Original or copy of payment receipt from IBL Bank.
  7. If the applicant is a dual national and is applying with their non-Lebanese passport, the applicant must provide either their Lebanese passport, a copy of their Lebanese ID, or a Lebanese Individual Civil Record.
  8. An invitation letter or a letter explaining the reasons for their trip (optional).

Step 6: SLS Embassy Services will deliver your documents to the U.S. Embassy.  At the end of the visa adjudication process, the U.S. Embassy will return your passport SLS Embassy Services. When the documents are ready for pickup, you will receive an SMS and email notification.

Important Notes:

  • If your file does not contain the required documents listed above it will not be accepted. DO NOT submit additional documents like civil extracts, bank account statements, medical certificates as they are not required. 
  • Interview Waiver applications are not guaranteed visa issuance. Although an applicant may meet the above criteria, a consular officer, after reviewing the application, may determine that a personal appearance is required. An employee of the Consular section will contact the applicant to schedule an appointment for a personal interview if required.
  • Failure to answer the interview waiver questions on your profile correctly and to follow the directions list here will result in the delay or even refusal of your visa application.
  • When your passport is ready for pickup at the courier location you will receive an SMS and email notification.