NON-IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION FEE INCREASE

Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a United States non-immigrant visa will increase from $ 100.00 to $ 131.00.  This increase allows the Department to recover the costs of security and other enhancements to the non-immigrants visa application process. 

How to Apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa

Step 1
Fill out the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) and make an appointment via an online appointment system accessed through the US Embassy website.

NOTE: You will need to enter the barcode number from the electronic visa application form in order to schedule your appointment online. 

Persons applying for employment-based visas must appear in person for the visa interview and have an approved petition from the United States Immigration and Nationality Service. Personal interviews are also required of applicants applying for student and exchange visitors' visas. Applicants applying for exchange visitors' visas must have a valid Form DS-2019, issued by the sponsoring U.S. institution.

Applicants for student visas in addition to having the 1-20 should be prepared to present any or all of the following information:

Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended;
Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc. 

Proof that the SEVIS Fee has been paid;
Financial evidence that shows that you, or your parents who are sponsoring you, have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study.
If being sponsored by someone other than your parents or the school, financial information about your sponsor

If an applicant would like an earlier interview than the originally scheduled, he/she must complete an Expedited Appointment Request form and fax it to the Consular Section at 01-774-976. The applicant will be notified by phone if the Consular Section is able to accommodate the request. If an earlier appointment is not granted, no notification will be given.

Step 2

Go to the U.S. Embassy, Consular Section at Lilongwe at City Center, Area 44, 16 Jomo Kenyatta Avenue, for an interview.
Non-immigrant visa interviews are conducted by appointment only.  All visa applicants must apply for a visa in person. Each person, including children, should submit:

• Valid passport.
• A completed and signed visa application form
• A printed visa appointment confirmation number
• Two identical, 2"x 2" photographs, black and white or color with a clear background.  Photographs should be full-face view of the person with top of shoulders showing*
  

The Embassy is unable to recommend the services of a photographer. Many passport applicants have been able to obtain satisfactory photos at Focal Lee Photo Studios in Old Town provides same day photo service.

Your application will be reviewed by a consular officer. In some cases, additional reviews will be required. Your information will be submitted and checked in the world's foremost security database, which includes comprehensive information drawn from both U.S. and Foreign Law Enforcement Agencies worldwide. If your name or a close variation indicates security concerns the process will be delayed. Additional steps will vary from requests for additional interviews and information to official registration and fingerprinting. This may add at least 6 to 8 weeks to the processing time.

If you have a valid visa in an expired passport, you can still use it if you also have a current valid passport; just carry both passports. Visas are usually available for pick up within 2 days.  Special clearances, incomplete applications and additional administrative processing may influence the processing time of individual visa cases. If you are denied a visa and want to appeal, you may re-apply 90 days after your last interview, pay the application fee and submit a new application.