Skip Global Navigation to Main Content
Skip Breadcrumb Navigation
Skip Left Navigation
How to Apply

How to Apply

All nonimmigrant visa applicants over the age of 14 or under the age of 80 must apply in person for their visa interview.  Interviews are by appointment only. The Embassy does not accept walk-in applications.  In order to schedule a visa appointment, applicants must first complete the DS-160 online application form, pay the visa fee, and select how they want the visa to be delivered to them via UPS.  All of these preliminary steps can be done at the visa information site where the appointment will be scheduled.  Appointments can be scheduled online at  http://telaviv.usvisa-info.com  or through the center at the following numbers: 

Local telephone number: 03-7621694

U.S. number: 703 439 2342

Skype number: 753812
Name:  USvisatelaviv 

 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS 

Where can I find the DS-160 online visa application form?

Go to https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. 

What do I need in order to apply for a visa?

Before you can schedule a visa appointment, you will need to: 

Certain visa categories may require additional documentation.  For example: 

  • Student (F) and vocational training (M) visa applicants also will need an I-20 and SEVIS fee payment receipt.
  • Cultural exchange visitors (J) visa applicants also will need a DS-2019 and, depending upon the program sponsor, a SEVIS fee payment.
  • Petition-based visas also will need USCIS Approval Form I797.  These include work (H), inter-company transfer (L), foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities (O), performers (P), international cultural exchange visitors (Q) and religious workers (R) visa categories. 

How do I apply for a visa? 

Step 1:  Obtain visa photos:  Two identical 5cm x 5cm color photographs with a white background. The photographs should be clear and of good quality. For more information, go to: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html. 

Step 2:  Complete the visa application (the “DS-160 form”) online at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv. 

Step 3: Log in and register at the information service website. The information Service Web site is:  http://telaviv.usvisa-info.com.  

Step 4:  Pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee either online, via the Call Center, or in person at Israeli Post Office branches.  The Website and Call Center  accept credit cards.  The Post Office accepts cash payments; before you visit the Post Office, a MRV deposit slip must first be generated online through the  Website.  NOTE: An applicant who pays the MRV fee via credit card can schedule an appointment on the same day.  An applicant who pays the MRV fee in cash at the Post Office must wait until the next business day to schedule an appointment. 

Additional NOTE: MRV receipts purchased prior to December 12, 2011 will remain valid for one year after the date of payment. Applicants who have the old, green MRV fee receipt must call 03-7621694 to schedule an appointment. 

Step 5: Schedule an appointment. Schedule an interview appointment online at http://telaviv.usvisa-info.com, or phone the Call Center.  The online system automatically defaults to the first available appointment, yet applicants can chose a later time that is more convenient to their schedule.  During this Step, you will select your preferred delivery method and address for the return of your passport. 

Step 6:  Come to the Embassy for your interview on the appointed day. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Be sure to bring (1) your DS-160 confirmation sheet, (2) your appointment confirmation letter, and (3) any other suggested documents for your visa category.  For more information on suggested documents and about what to expect on the day of your interview, go to http://israel.usembassy.gov/what-to-expect.html. 

Step 7:  Passport delivery.  Passports with visas will be returned to the applicant through UPS using the delivery method and address you selected in Step 4.  Click here for more information and to how to track the status of your passport.

I have a group and want to schedule a group interview, what should I do?

Click here for information on the group application process, click here. 

How do I apply for an emergency appointment? 

Step 1: Schedule an Appointment-- You must have already scheduled a regular appointment at the Embassy in Tel Aviv. This must be done even if the date scheduled does not fit your needs.  Click here for information on how to schedule an appointment. 

Step 2: Request an Emergency Appointment -- Send an e-mail requesting an emergency appointment to nivtelavivemrg@state.gov.  The request must contain: 

  • The full name of the applicant requesting the emergency appointment
  • The date of the scheduled appointment
  • A description of the reason justifying emergency travel.
  • Attach documentation substantiating the emergency. 

Emergency appointments will only be granted at the consular section’s discretion based upon workload and other considerations. The consular section will strive to respond to your emergency request as quickly as possible, generally within two business days, by scheduling a new appointment. If the applicant's request for an emergency appointment is accepted, the applicant will receive a confirmation e-mail with a new date and time to appear at the consular section. If the request is not approved, the applicant should attend the original appointment.

Please be advised that the granting of an emergency appointment in no way guarantees visa issuance. U.S. law places the burden of qualifying for any visa solely on the applicant. 

What is the definition of “emergency” for visa application purposes?

To see the criteria for emergency appointments, visit http://israel.usembassy.gov/emergency-appointment2.html. 

How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment?

To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please go to the appointment scheduling system for instructions.  There is no limit on the number of times an appointment can be cancelled/rescheduled before the reschedule/cancel deadline listed in the confirmation email.  

Applicants under 14 or over 79 

Applicants in this age category do not require a personal interview. Their documents should be sent to the Embassy for processing via UPS. UPS will deliver the documents to the Embassy and return the passports to the sender upon completion of the process.  For further information about the UPS service, please click here.

For further information about how to prepare and handle a visa application for applicants in this age category, please visit the CSC’s on-line information and appointment system. 

NOTE: The consular officer reserves the right to ask any applicant to appear for a personal interview after reviewing the visa application. 

MRV payment validation for applicants under 14 or over 79:

IMPORTANT: MRV fees paid through the automated telephone service at 03-7621694, or in cash through the post office, MUST be validated in order to successfully complete the registration of a visa application and use UPS services. If you choose to pay the fee through the telephone service, please make sure you write down your payment confirmation number.

  • MRV fee paid through the automated telephone service: after your payment has been successfully processed by the automated telephone service, please make sure you write down your payment confirmation number. You can either continue to the live operator, who will complete the application registration process for you, or return to the on-line appointment system to validate the payment you have made and complete the application registration on-line.
  • MRV fee paid in cash through the post office: please allow one business day to process your cash payment before you continue to the payment validation. After paying the MRV fee through the post office, you have to either return to the on-line appointment system or call the live operator at 03-7621694 to validate the payment you have made and complete the application registration on-line. 

If you are the parent or an immediate family member of a child under 14 or an elderly citizen over 79, and are scheduling an appointment to apply for your own visa, you will simply submit the child’s or the elderly citizen's visa application at the time of your interview appointment.

IMPORTANT: although you are not required to schedule an appointment for children or elderly citizens, you MUST make the payment and validate it before you come to the Embassy to submit their applications.

What are the document requirements for applicants under 14 or age 80 and over?

In addition to the documents listed for regular applicants you’ll need: 

Age 80 and over:

  • Copy of any previous U.S. visas.
  • Pension statements. 

Under 14:

  • Copy of parents’ valid U.S. visas. 

If the young applicant’s parents do not have valid U.S. visas and are travelling with the applicant:

  • Copy of your three most recent salary slips.
  • Copy of your passports’ biographic pages. 

If someone else is travelling with the young applicant, (e.g., grandparent):

  • Copy of that person’s U.S. visa.
  • Parents' letter of consent, stating that they are aware of the child's travel to the United States. 

Note: Do NOT send CDs with images of additional documents and/or child's photographs. We cannot open these files in our computers and, therefore, will immediately discard them.  

I am an American citizen parent of a child, what do I need to do?

Under U.S. law, American citizens may transmit citizenship to their children if they meet certain criteria.  Please see the following link for information on transmitting U.S. citizenship http://israel.usembassy.gov/consular/acs/report.html.

Where can I find additional FAQs on the application process? 

Visit the following website

You may also visit the U.S. Embassy Consular Section Facebook page and the U.S. Embassy visa payment and appointment website Facebook page.

Notice