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Nonimmigrant Visas
23 MINUTE READ

Overview

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for tourism, business, study, medical treatment, work or other temporary travel purposes.

Please visit our Visa Appointment Service website for complete information on applying for a nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including a directory of nonimmigrant visa categories.

We are unable to answer visa questions submitted by mail or telephone. Please take the time to read all the relevant visa and travel information on our website. If the answer to your question is already on our website, we will be unable to provide you with a further response.

How to Apply

Filling out the DS-160 online is easy and doesn’t require help from a third party. Just click on this link https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

For specific information about how to apply for a visa (required documents, visa fee, scheduling an appointment, and delivery services), please visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ar/niv

Visa Renewals, Personal Appearance and Interview Requirements

For more information on visa renewals, please visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ar/niv/information/niv

For more information on personal appearance and interview requirements, please click here.

Visiting the Embassy- Security and Access Policy

The Embassy of the United States in Buenos Aires is located on Avenida Colombia 4300, Buenos Aires City.

The business hours of the Consular Section are Monday to Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding Argentine and American holidays.  However, access to the Consular Section is by appointment only.

Only non-immigrant visa applicants with a scheduled appointment and those specified below will be admitted into the Embassy:

  • Parent(s) or guardian(s) accompanying children under 18 years old
  • Interpreters for applicants who do not speak English or Spanish
  • Assistants for the disabled
  • Employers of domestic employee applicants

Security

Every person visiting the Embassy must agree to a security screening before entering the Consular Section with their belongings.

Applicants will not be allowed to enter the Embassy with the following items:

  • Weapons or any element that could be used as a weapon, including knives, metallic files, nail clippers, scissors, etc.
  • Electronic devices (mobile phones, cameras, laptops, tablets, USBs, cables, remote controls, remote access keys or other electronic equipment) with the exception of medical devices.
  • Liquids and/or flammable items, including sodas, perfume, lighters, matches, etc.
  • Purses or bags measuring 20 x 15 x 10cm or more (smaller purses are allowed)
  • Packages, bags, backpacks, briefcases, suitcases
  • Drugs, narcotics or any illegal substance, as well as medicines without a prescription

Administrative Processing

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer. Applicants will be advised of this requirement.

Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview, but the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

The Consular Section recommends that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel, and not make final travel plans or purchase non-refundable tickets until the passport and visa have been received.

If your case:

Has been delayed for more than 10 days since it was processed, you received a green sheet (administrative processing/221g) or you have been notified about the delay by email or phone and you need to check on the status of your case or;

Has been delayed for more than 10 days since it was processed by the consular section and when you verify the case the status is “no status’ or “application received” or it appears as denied

Please use the contact form in our website so we can verify the status of the case. Please select “My question is about Nonimmigrant visas and it is not included in your website”.

Lost or Stolen Passports

If your passport with a U.S. visa (valid or expired) is stolen or lost, even if you have no immediate travel plans, please report the theft immediately to the Embassy via email to:
BNS-FPU@state.gov.

Please include the following information, as well as the words “Lost” or “Stolen” in the subject line:

  • Full name (as it appears on your stolen or lost passport)
  • Date of the robbery or date in which you believe your passport with the visa was lost. Passport number of your lost or stolen passport (if available)
  • Number of the lost or stolen passport (if you have it)
  • DNI or National Identification number
  • Phone number
  • Police report (if available)