The Consular Section of U.S. Embassy Port of Spain is introducing a new system to process mail-in visa renewal applications to reduce the amount of time the Consular Section keeps applicants’ passports.
The new system takes effect from today, Monday 23 May 2022, according to an official statement issued by the Embassy.
“The Embassy is making this change given the extremely high demand for the mail-in service and to enable applicants to hold onto to their passports for as long possible during the application process,” the release explains.
“Applicants who qualify to have interviews waived for their visa renewal applications will be placed in a virtual queue which will allow applicants to maintain possession of their passports and required documents until notified for further processing,” the Embassy said.
The Embassy notes that applicants must provide accurate and up-to-date contact information at the time of applying. In addition, those who qualify for interview waivers for their visa renewals will be notified via email with instructions on how to submit their passport and documents once the Consular Section is ready to receive their documents.
After adjudication, the Embassy says, the Consular Section will return applicants’ passports through DHL, using the option selected at the time of registration—either home delivery or collection at DHL’s office. Applicants are advised that payments for the home delivery option for passports or documents must be made online at the time of registration at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-TT/niv/
The Embassy urges applicants to carefully follow all instructions in order to avoid additional delays for those who qualify for an interview waiver for a visa renewal. Incorrect applications or missing photos for mail-in visa applications will result in processing delays.
In general, applicants will need to submit the following documents:
■…A valid passport
■…The applicant’s previous passport with their last issued U.S. visa (if applicable)
■…The applicant’s DS-160 confirmation page
■…The applicant’s DHL courier-in receipt
■…A passport photo taken within the last six months and in the proper format
■…Applicants under 14 years old must also submit a copy of their polymer birth certificate and a copy of their parent’s valid U.S. visa
Applicants are advised that eligibility for mail-in visa renewal is determined during the registration process on the Embassy’s scheduling website, https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-TT/niv/
Applicants who do not qualify for mail-in visa renewal, must schedule an in-person appointment. Demand for tourist visas continues to be high and applicants should expect a long wait for an in-person interview.
Applicants who submitted an application prior to 23 May 2022, will not be placed in the virtual queue. The Consular Section will process those applications upon receipt.
For more information on applying for visas, please visit https://tt.usembassy.gov/visas/