US Embassy Minor Visa Interview Waiver Details – 2024-03-23 11:57:37

2024-03-23 11:57:37

If you need to apply for or renew a visa for your child, the United States Embassy in Guatemala implemented the visa interview waiver program for minorsan option that will allow you to carry out the procedure by sending your documents through Cargo Expreso.

Even if you already have an appointment scheduled, you will be able to take advantage of this new procedure. Below we share the details.

New program to process a United States visa for minors under 13 and a half years of age

As of March 20, 2024, the United States Embassy in Guatemala has implemented a new measure aimed at streamlining the visa application process for minors under 13 and a half years of age.

This measure, known as the interview waiver programallows applicants under this age to apply for their first B1/B2 visa o renew it without having to go through an in-person interview.

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Photo description for the visually impaired: a girl and her parents on both sides on an airplane. (Credit: Envato/friends_stock)

Under this program, minors under 13 years and 6 months of age can submit their complete application through Cargo Expreso, thus eliminating the need for an interview at the embassy. However, it is important to note that all applicants must be physically in Guatemala at the time of applying, regardless of whether or not an interview is required.

Requirements to apply for the visa interview exemption for minors

The requirements to qualify for this program are specific and must be rigorously met. Parents of minors who wish to benefit from this program must ensure that they meet the following criteria:

• Be under 13 years and 6 months of age
• The parents of the minor must have valid B1/B2 visas, with maximum validity, multiple entries and issued for 10 years.
• The minor must not have lived in the United States illegally or violated U.S. law
• In the case of visa renewal, the previous visa must not have been cancelled, revoked, damaged, lost or stolen
• Not having had a previous visa application rejected
• Be a citizen or legal resident of Guatemala, in the event that the minor or parents are not Guatemalan citizens, include a copy of permanent residence in Guatemala of the applicant and parents
• All people applying for a visa with you must meet the same criteria

Photo description for the visually impaired: a girl on an airplane listens to music with headphones while doing something with a pencil. (Credit: Envato/halfpoint)

Supporting documents to send

These are the documents that must be sent with the application through Express charge

• Current and valid passport
• If it is renewal, send the passport where the previous visa was issued
• Form DS-160 Confirmation Page
• Recent 51×51 mm photograph taken in the last 6 months, taking into account the requirements indicated on this page. Please note that the procedure will be delayed if the photograph is not presented correctly.
• Renap birth certificate that is recent
• Legible photocopies of the current B1/B2 visa of both parents
• Place the names of the parents on the DS-160 form as they are written on the current visas of both parents
• Visa application payment receipt
• Appointment confirmation letter under the interview exemption program through Cargo Expreso
• If the applicant or parents are not Guatemalan citizens, include a copy of the residence of the applicant and parents

In our Learn section we also tell you the photo requirements for a US visa: find the note here.

Steps to apply for the visa under this program

If you want to take advantage of this new option, follow these steps:

1. Pay the visa application fee and any other reciprocity taxes associated with your visa
2. Complete the electronic nonimmigrant visa application form DS-160
3. Print the completed form, print it and save the confirmation page
4. Create an account on this page or if you already have one, just log in. On this page you must follow the steps to schedule an interview and answer the questions carefully.
5. If you meet the requirements for the interview exemption you will receive a cover letter with the document checklist, print two copies of this letter
6. On the day of the appointment, go to one of the Cargo Expreso agencies with the supporting documents to send mentioned above, you must deliver them in a half-letter manila envelope. Find Cargo Expreso locations by clicking this link
7. If more information is needed to complete the processing of your case, you will receive an email. If your application is approved, you will be able to pick up your passport and visa at the document collection center selected during the interview scheduling.

Photo Description for the Visually Impaired: US Embassy poster with interview waiver information for children. (Credit: US Embassy Guatemala)

Rescheduling in-person appointment to opt for exemption

Applicants who already had an in-person appointment scheduled and who meet the requirements for this program have the option to cancel their previous appointment and schedule a new one using the online system provided by the embassy.

If you have any questions, contact 2376-1978 or send an email to [e-mail].

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