Important Visa Information – US Embassy in Zambia

  • November 9, 2023
  • November 9, 2023
  • 8 min read

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All visa interviews are conducted in the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka.  Interviews for nonimmigrant visas are typically held on Mondays through Thursdays.  As appointment slots for nonimmigrant visas fill up quickly, we advise applicants to begin the application process at least several weeks prior to the intended date of travel.  You may find estimated wait times on this website.  Nonimmigrant visa applicants will need to follow the below steps to schedule their appointment.
For immigrant visa appointments, the National Visa Center will schedule an interview date and time.  However, the Consular Section may reach out to the beneficiary or petitioner by email to reschedule the appointment.
To contact the consular section, please review our visas assistance contact information.

Electronics prohibited: Please be advised that due to embassy security regulations, all electronics are prohibited. Please leave your cell phones, laptops, cameras, tablets, or any other device at home or in your vehicle. There are a limited number of small shelves to place your phones at the security entrance, but they will not be locked up. Laptops cannot and will not be stored at the embassy.
Large bags prohibited: We recommend you leave backpacks, bags, purses, etc. in your vehicle, or for a safer option, at home. There are no storage options at the security entrance for your bags.

Step 1. Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160

Fill out the DS-160 visa application form.  You will need to bring a printed copy of your completed DS-160 visa application form to your visa appointment.  Below is an example of the completed DS-160.
See example of completed DS-160 (PNG 359 KB).
For Students: “Name of Person Paying for Your Trip:” MUST be the person/entity whose Financial Documents the applicant is submitting.
Please note that you must answer every question on the application forms. If the answer to a question is “none,” please write “none” (do not leave it blank). Incomplete/incorrect forms will be returned and will require you to schedule a new interview appointment.
Create your personal U.S. visa account online.
Print your Payment Slip and pay the appropriate visa fee (payable in Zambian Kwacha) MRV fee at any Zanaco bank branch. (Note: Effective June 17, 2023, the standard MRV fee is $185.00). You will be able to see the next available appointment before paying for your interview.
After waiting two business days, schedule your visa appointment online. Interviews for nonimmigrant visas are typically held on Mondays and Thursdays. However, as appointment slots fill up quickly, we advise applicants to begin the application process at least several weeks prior to the intended date of travel. Additionally, we advise applicants to not book their travel until they have collected their visas. Please keep in mind, there are no interviews on American and Zambian holidays when the embassy is closed.
Arrive at the U.S. Embassy on the day of your appointment with your confirmation page DS-160, passport, photo, and any other supporting documents. Familiarize yourself with photo requirements.
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of your application process.
Passport pick-up is typically held Monday through Thursday at 3:00 pm.  If approved,  NIV visas generally take two to three business days before collection.  Renewals Without Interview generally take one week to process.  However, in all cases, we advise applicants to not book their travel until they have collected their visas.  You can authorize someone else in writing to pick up your passport if you cannot make it for pick up.  The bearer of the letter must bring their ID card and your receipt.
 

Official Visa Requests:
Visa Class A, G or C3 applications should be submitted to the Embassy on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 11:00 and 12:00, at least 2 weeks prior to the intended travel departure date.
Expedite Appointments:
Applicants may request an expedited visa appointment for emergency travel purposes, but it is necessary to make the request online. Please note, expedite requests are only available for Zambian passport holders or Third Country Nationals residing full-time in Zambia who have a Zambian residency card/permit. Please understand that the Embassy is not able to grant every request; at this time, students, temporary workers, and applicants with exceptional humanitarian need will be given greatest consideration for expedited interview appointments. Expedited appointment requests for travel purposes such as professional conferences, weddings, funerals, or to assist a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative are not currently being prioritized. If your request for an expedited appointment is denied, your existing appointment at the earliest available date will remain as scheduled. Please regularly check the online scheduling system to see if additional appointments become available. Circumstances that may be considered for expedited appointments include:
1) Complete steps 1 and 2 under “Application Steps” to schedule a regular visa appointment on the closest available date (even if it is different or later than what you would prefer).
2) Sign back into your personal visa account, click ‘Continue,’ select ‘Request Expedite,’ and follow the instructions. In your request, include the date and purpose of your intended travel.
Expedited appointments will only be granted at the Consular Section’s discretion. Applicants may only request an expedite once.
Renewals Without Interview:
The embassy is processing renewals without an interview for individuals who were previously issued a B1/B2, C1/D, F1, F2, H1B or H4 visa that expired in the last 48 months, who are residents of Zambia, and who have been issued a visa in Lusaka. To request a renewal, please follow the instructions to request a visa appointment. If the application qualifies for a renewal, the system will allow the individual to use that option.
Applicants will need to pay the interview fee before submitting their application. An interview may be requested at the Consular Section’s discretion.
Interview Waiver for Individuals Under 14 and Over 79:
The embassy is processing visa applications for applicants less than 14 years old and whose parents have a valid U.S. visa, or who can travel to the United States through ESTA, and for individuals over 79 years old.  Applicants should follow the below steps to schedule a visa appointment.  If the application qualifies for an age-based interview waiver, the system will allow the individual to use that option.  However, an interview may be requested at the Consular Section’s discretion.
Government Sponsored Exchange:  
J-1 visa applicants, along with their dependents, for a U.S. government sponsored exchange program, whose Form DS-2019 has a program serial number of G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 are not required to pay the visa application fee (MRV fee) or SEVIS fee.   Please email ConsularLusaka@state.gov with a copy of your DS-2019 to schedule an interview.
Third Country Nationals Applying in Lusaka:
Visa applicants from any consular district are free to apply in Lusaka.  However, applicants must be present in Lusaka to pay the visa fee and attend an interview.  This fee is not transferrable or refundable.  All expedite requests will not be made until formally requested in the scheduling system. NOTE: to interview in Lusaka, applicants’ Form DS-160 must list Lusaka as the interview location.
MRV Fee Receipt Validity
All nonimmigrant visa application fee (also known as the MRV fee) payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days from the date a receipt is issued for payment of the MRV fee. Applicants must schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application during this 365-day period. Please note applicants must only schedule their interview or submit their waiver application within the 365-day period. There is no requirement the interview must occur during the 365-day period. All receipts for payment of MRV fees issued before October 1, 2022, were extended until September 30, 2023, and remain valid until this date.

If you need reasonable accommodation for your appointment, we encourage you to request your accommodation immediately once you schedule your appointment. We make every effort to provide accommodations to persons with disabilities and medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations vary, depending on the situation and the person’s needs.
Examples of accommodations include, but are not limited to:
If you are unable to provide fingerprints because of a medical condition, including birth defects, physical deformities, skin conditions, you may qualify for a fingerprint waiver for certain fingers.
The waiting room of the Consular Section and its restroom is wheelchair-accessible.
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160)
Online Immigrant Visa Application (DS-260)
Recent Updates & News on U.S. Visa Policy and Processing
Please call: 0211-357-000 or 0966-050-123
Outside of Office Hours, contact: +260 211 357-000 or +260 966 050-123
Outside of Zambia: +260 211 357-000 or +260 966 050-123

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