Expedite process for students, business travelers, APEC Card holders, medical matters & other emergencies

Under certain emergency circumstances, applicants who cannot wait for a normal visa interview appointment may request an expedited appointment.  There is no fee for making an expedited appointment request.

Valid reasons for interview expedition may include:

1) Students and Exchange Visitors---The initial start date of your studies in the USA is before the date of your scheduled visa interview.

2) Business Travelers---Urgent, unexpected business in the U.S. before the date of your scheduled appointment.  Qualified APEC Business Travel Card holders are also eligible for expedited interview appointments. 

3) Other Emergency Requests---Emergency medical treatment, family emergencies (attend to a very close relative who is gravely ill or to attend the funeral of a very close relative) and other emergencies such as appearance in a U.S. court of law, etc.

Applicants wishing to make an expedited appointment should first contact the Visa Information Call Center to make a regular interview appointment. The Call Center can be reached toll free within China by dialing 4008-872-333, or the Shanghai local number (021) 3881-4611. Applicants who are not currently in China can dial (86-21) 3881-4611.

After obtaining a specific appointment from the Visa Information Call Center, request an expedite appointment in writing by sending a fax to U.S. Embassy Beijing at (86-10) 8531-3333 (after October 17). Provide specific details about why an expedited appointment should be granted, additionally, include the date, time, and confirmation number of the applicant's scheduled interview appointment. Include a contact phone number where we can reach you; applicants are contacted if the expedite appointment is granted.  Appointments are granted on a space available basis, according to the urgency of the request.

An expedited interview appointment does not improve an applicant's chances of obtaining a U.S. visa; it simply results in an earlier appointment date for the visa interview. Emergencies are not grounds for the issuance of a U.S. visa; applicants applying for a non-immigrant visa must still prove they meet the requirements of the visa class in question.

Note:

• Requests will not be considered if the applicant has not already scheduled an interview with the Visa Information Call Center.
  
• Chinese residents should apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over their place of normal residence. Applicants should send such requests to the post where they apply for a visa. Please click here to check where you should apply and the web link to each U.S consular post in China.