Apply for a U.S. Visa

Drop-Off Service (Interview Waiver)

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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, and L-2 applicants applying with a Taiwan passport, please include your USD $54 money order fee payment consistent with instructions or you will be required to appear at AIT in person for an interview. 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.

Students: If you are attending a program starting in Fall 2023, apply and schedule your appointment now! Submit your application as soon as you receive your I-20 form from your school. Contact your school if you still do not have your I-20 form. 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.

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:

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

Student Visas: Any application (including first-time applicants) for a F, M, or academic J visa (students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists who are participating in an approved exchange program).

Employment Visas: Any application (including first-time applicants) for an H, individual L-1 (non-blanket), individual L-2, O, P, or Q visa.

Renewal: Renewing any prior U.S. visa within the same visa class excluding R and blanket Ls, that is unexpired or expired less than 48 months ago.

Requirements for ALL Drop-Off Applications:

You must be physically present in Taiwan.
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.

Student and Employment Visas: Prior Travel or Visa Required

For any (including first-time applicants) F, M, academic J, H, L-1 (non-blanket), L-2 (non-blanket), O, P, and Q application, you are eligible for drop-off service if you previously traveled to the U.S. on ESTA at any time, or previously received a U.S. visa

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

E Visas: Renewals Only

For E visa renewal applications, you are eligible for drop-off service if you previously received a visa in the same visa class and is continuing employment with the same company or employer.

All E visa renewal 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, L, O, P, and Q 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, or L 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.

Dependent E-1, E-2, E-3D, F-2, M-2, J-2, H-4, L-2, O-3, P-4: Spouse or Child of a Principal Applicant

Proof of relationship to principal applicant such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or household registration in English (with detailed notes)
If a spouse or child is applying separately from the principal applicant, include a copy of the principal applicant’s visa.

H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 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
- 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

Attachment name	Attachment content
Exhibit A-Company Summary	Complete the E-1 Treaty Trader U.S. Company Summary (fill in accurate answer to each item as requested, enter text/data/numbers only, save the form in DOC or DOCX format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less)
Exhibit B-Company Letter	A signed letter from a responsible official at company, describing exactly and precisely how the enterprise and applicant meet the qualifications for an E-1 visa: (must be in PDF format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less Do not include your G-28 with your electronic documents.) Please do not include lengthy citations from the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) or the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The applicant must be a citizen of a treaty country. (see 9 FAM 402.9-4(A) and 402.9-10) Company is at least 50% owned by persons with the treaty country’s nationality. (see 9 FAM 402.9-4(B)) (to be documented in Exhibit D) Trade is substantial and within the meaning for E-1 purposes. (see 9 FAM 402.9-5(B) and 9 FAM 402.9-5(C)) (to be documented in Exhibit E and F) Trade is occurring principally between the U.S. and the treaty country of the applicant’s nationality. (more than 50% of the international trade involved) (see 9 FAM 402.9-5(D)) (to be documented in Exhibit E and F) The applicant, if an employee, will fill an executive/supervisory role or possesses skills essential to the firm’s operations in the United States (see 9 FAM 402.9-7 (to be documented in Exhibit C) Applicant intends to depart United States when E status ends (see 9 FAM 402.9-4(C)) (to be documented in Exhibit C)
	Applicant Information: (each of the below file must be in PDF format when submit electronically; each exhibit file size must be 1.9MB or less; do not combine different exhibit files together)
Exhibit C1- DS160	Nonimmigrant Visa Application DS-160 Confirmation page for each applicant
Exhibit C2- DS156E	A completed and signed DS-156E Treaty Trader/Investor Visa Application Form (for principal applicant only, not required for dependents) (Company name on the applications must be exactly the same name which has been registered at the state government. Contact information must include an e-mail address and local Taiwan phone number.)
Exhibit C3- Resume and Diploma	Principal applicant’s resume, listing education and professional experiences Highest degree diploma(s) Skills or training certificates (if any)
Exhibit C4- Others	Organization chart showing current staffing pattern at U.S. company (with applicant name and position title highlighted) A signed statement addressing the applicant’s intent to depart the United States when his/her E-visa status ends (if name changed previously, or if dependents are applying together) Household registration with detailed notes, marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption certificate. (if changed status previously while in the U.S.) Copies of I-797 approvals
Exhibit D-Ownership	Proof of treaty country ownership (at least 50%) and controlling interest in the enterprise: (must be in PDF format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less; divide Exhibit D into different files if needed to keep each file size 1.9MB or less, for example Exhibit D1, Exhibit D2) An ownership chart with owners’ names showing the full ownership structure of the enterprise If the enterprise has several owners or subsidiaries or if the chain of ownership includes intermediary entities, please provide legal proof of ownership for each entity within a respective chain. Useful supporting documents include: articles of incorporation or articles of organization, business license, stock/shares certificates, stock/shares ledger (indicating total and outstanding shares issued), shareholders meeting minutes, operating agreement, copies of each owner’s passport biographical data page and proof of his/her ownership share, annual report, proof showing company is publicly traded on the principal stock exchange of a treaty country, or other evidence.
Exhibit E-Trade	Evidence that trade is substantial and that more than 50 percent of the company’s international trade is principally between the U.S. and the treaty country (for example, Taiwan): (must be in PDF format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less; divide Exhibit E into different files if needed to keep each file size 1.9MB or less, for example Exhibit E1, Exhibit E2) Please provide accurate data on item 10 of your DS-156E and provide evidence to support data. If the treaty trader in the U.S. is a legal person, please provide evidence showing that trade conducted by the U.S. company meets this 50% requirement. If the treaty trader in the U.S is only a branch instead of a legal person, please provide evidence showing trade conducted by the foreign-based (for example Taiwan) head business meets this 50% requirement. Useful supporting documents include: a spreadsheet signed by a responsible official listing company’s total trade volumes at cost (exporting and importing) by countries showing percentage of international trade, a certified public accountant letter, audited financial statement, a custom declarations, or other evidence.
Exhibit F-Financial Statement	(must be in PDF format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less; divide Exhibit F into different files if needed to keep each file size 1.9MB or less, for example Exhibit F1, Exhibit F2) IRS Form 941: page 1 and 2 for the most recent four quarters Most recent financial reports including income statement and balance sheet of the U.S. enterprise If the enterprise has existed less than one year, please also provide sales invoices, sales contracts, bills of lading, or other evidence. U.S. business income tax returns: (If the enterprise has existed more than one year, please also provide tax documents for the most recent three fiscal years.) - Corporation: IRS Form 1120 (page 1 income statement, supplemental statement for line 26 Other Deductions, and page 6 balance sheet) - Foreign corporation: IRS Form 1120-F (pages1, 3, 4, and 7) - S Corporation: IRS Form 1120-S (page 1 to 5) - Partnership and LLC: IRS Form 1065 (page 1 to 5) - Private Ownership: Form 1040 and Schedule C Other evidence

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

Attachment name	Attachment content
Exhibit A-Company Summary	Complete the E-2 Treaty Trader U.S. Company Summary (fill in accurate answer to each item as requested, enter text/data/numbers only, save the form in DOC or DOCX format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less)
Exhibit B-Company Letter	A signed letter from a responsible official at company, describing exactly and precisely how the enterprise and applicant meet the qualifications for an E-2 visa: (must be in PDF format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less; Do not include your G-28 with your electronic documents.) Please do not include lengthy citations from the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) or the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The applicant must be a citizen of a treaty country. (see 9 FAM 402.9-4(A) and 402.9-10) Company is at least 50% owned by persons with the treaty country’s nationality. (see 9 FAM 402.9-4(B)) (to be documented in Exhibit D) Investor has invested or is actively in the process of investing (see 9 FAM 402.9-6(B)) (to be documented in Exhibit E) Enterprise is a real and operating commercial enterprise (see 9 FAM 402.9-6(C)) (to be documented in Exhibit F) Investment is substantial (see 9 FAM 402.9-6(D)) (to be documented in Exhibit E) Enterprise is more than a marginal one solely for earning a living (see 9 FAM 402.9-6(E)) (to be documented in Exhibit G) Applicant is in position to "develop and direct" the enterprise (see 9 FAM 402.9-6(F)) (to be documented in Exhibit D and C) Applicant, if an employee, will fill an executive/supervisory role or possesses skills essential to the firm’s operations in the United States (see 9 FAM 402.9-7(B) and (C)) (to be documented in Exhibit C) Applicant intends to depart United States when E status ends (see 9 FAM 402.9-4(C)) (to be documented in Exhibit C)
	Applicant Information: (each of the file below must be in PDF format when submit electronically; each exhibit file size must be 1.9MB or less; do not combine different exhibit files together)
Exhibit C1- DS160	Nonimmigrant Visa Application DS-160 Confirmation page for each applicant
Exhibit C2- DS156E	A completed and signed DS-156E Treaty Trader/Investor Visa Application Form for principal applicant only (Company name on the applications must be exactly the same name which has been registered at the state government. Contact information must include an e-mail address and local Taiwan phone number.)
Exhibit C3- Resume and Diploma	Principal applicant’s resume, listing education and professional experiences Highest degree diploma(s) Skills or training certificates (if any)
Exhibit C4- Others	Organization chart showing current staffing pattern at U.S. company (with applicant name and position title highlighted) A signed statement addressing the applicant’s intent to depart the United States when his/her E-visa status ends (if name changed previously, or if dependents are applying together) Household registration with detailed notes, marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption certificate. (if changed status previously while in the U.S.) Copies of I-797 approvals
Exhibit D-Ownership	Proof of treaty country ownership (at least 50%) and controlling interest in the enterprise: (must be in PDF format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less; divide Exhibit D into different files if needed to keep each file size 1.9MB or less, for example Exhibit D1, Exhibit D2) An ownership chart with owners’ names showing the full ownership structure of the enterprise If the enterprise has several owners or subsidiaries or if the chain of ownership includes intermediary entities, please provide legal proof of ownership for each entity within a respective chain. Useful supporting documents include: articles of incorporation or articles of organization, business license, stock/shares certificates, stock/shares ledger (indicating total and outstanding shares issued), shareholders meeting minutes, operating agreement, copies of each owner’s passport biographical data page and proof of his/her ownership share, annual report, proof showing company is publicly traded on the principal stock exchange of a treaty country, or other evidence.
Exhibit E-Investment	Proof that funds are invested or that the investor is actively investing and evidence that investment is substantial: (must be in PDF format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less; divide Exhibit E into different files if needed to keep each file size 1.9MB or less, for example Exhibit E1, Exhibit E2) Wire transfer statements / Bank statements (with each transfer date and amount highlighted) Escrow documents / franchise agreement (if any) List of investments made List of expenses incurred (for newly established company) Other evidence
Exhibit F-Real and Operating	Proof that the enterprise is currently running or will open its doors very soon: (must be in PDF format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less; divide Exhibit F into different files if needed to keep each file size 1.9MB or less, for example Exhibit F1, Exhibit F2) Lease agreement (office pictures are not required) Business licenses/permits Occupational license Signed contracts (if any) Other evidence
Exhibit G-Marginality and Financial Statement	Proof that enterprise is more than a marginal one solely for earning a living: (must be in PDF format when submit electronically; file size must be 1.9MB or less; divide Exhibit G into different files if needed to keep each file size 1.9MB or less, for example Exhibit G1, Exhibit G2) Payroll register or salaries records IRS Form 941: page 1 and 2 for the most recent four quarters Most recent financial reports including income statement and balance sheet of the U.S. enterprise Business plan for new enterprise U.S. business income tax returns: (If the enterprise has existed more than one year, please also provide tax documents for the most recent three fiscal years.) - Corporation: IRS Form 1120 (page 1 income statement, supplemental statement for line 26 Other Deductions, and page 6 balance sheet) - Foreign corporation: IRS Form 1120-F (pages1, 3, 4, and 7) - S Corporation: IRS Form 1120-S (page 1 to 5) - Partnership and LLC: IRS Form 1065 (page 1 to 5) - Private Ownership: Form 1040 and Schedule C Other evidence

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)

Attachment name	Attachment content
Exhibit A- DS160	Nonimmigrant Visa Application DS-160 Confirmation page (for each applicant)
Exhibit B- LCA	An approved Labor Condition Application (LCA)
Exhibit C- Applicant Information	Evidence of academic or other qualifying credentials, such as required academic degrees and certificates or proof of sufficient work experience in specialty field. Job offer letter from the employer. In the absence of academic or other qualifying credentials, evidence of education and experience that is equivalent to the required U.S. degree. A certified copy of any required license or other official permission to practice the occupation in the state of intended employment if so required or, where licensure is not necessary to commence immediately the intended specialty occupation employment upon admission, evidence that the required license will be obtained within a reasonable time after admission.

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)

Attachment name

Attachment content

Exhibit A- DS160

Nonimmigrant Visa Application DS-160 Confirmation page (for each applicant)

Exhibit B- Applicant Information

Proof of the family relationship (in English), such as Taiwan household registration record (with detailed notes), marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption certificate.
(if applying separately with the principal applicant at a later time) A copy of the principal applicant’s current valid E visa
(for E-3 dependent) A copy of the principal applicant’s LCA
(if changed status previously while in the U.S.) Copies of I-797 approvals

Note: For dependents who apply for their visas separately, on a case-by-case basis we may request the submission of the full supporting documents of the principal applicant.

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