Visa Services

The U.S. Embassy Consular Section anticipates closing for in-service training days on the first Friday of every other month in 2009 and 2010, with the next such day being Friday, December 4.
 
General Information

If you want to travel to the U.S., you most likely will need a visa (click on Visa Waiver program for a list of exceptions).  The following links provide additional information as to the requirements and documentation you will need to apply for a U.S. visa:

Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) – For short visits and travel to or transit through the U.S., as well as for prospective students who will study at a U.S. institution. 
 
Immigrant Visa (IV) – For those planning to immigrate and live permanently in the U.S.

To apply for either of these visas, prospective applicants must come to the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica for an interview to determine eligibility.  The Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy serves citizens living in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Address

142 Old Hope Rd., Kingston 6, Jamaica

Hours of Operation

Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., except for holidays 

Anyone charging money for collateral services outside the US Embassy is not affiliated with the US government.  Beware of unscrupulous agents purporting to represent the US Embassy. 

NIV Appointments

Applicants make an appointment for their visa interview through our call center and self service website.  

How to access the Call Center: Applicants may call Monday through Friday, 0800 hours to 1800 hours, except Jamaican or U.S. holidays. Please call one of the following phone numbers:

Local Kingston number:  1-876-621-0252

Toll Free From Jamaica: 1-800-572-7780

Toll Free From the U.S.: 1-888-243-4840

From the U.S. or the Cayman Islands: 1-202-621-2128.   Please note you will be assessed a long distance toll when you dial this number.

How much does the Call Center service cost?:  The cost for the Call Center option is $13.00 USD to obtain visa information and schedule an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview.  The fee covers an eight-minute conversation and allows an applicant to reschedule the appointment twice, if necessary.  The 24-hour/seven-day-a-week self-service website costs $10.00 USD to obtain information and secure an on-line non-immigrant visa appointment.  DHL will deliver passports to applicants’ addresses for 750 Jamaican dollars.  Only one fee will be charged per family of up to five members.

Special Group Appointment System:  The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica has implemented a Self-Service Group Process that allows group sponsors to coordinate appointments for non-family groups much more efficiently.  The process assists groups such as performers and athletes on O and P petitions who are traveling together to the US as a group. For more information on how to obtain further instructions and to schedule as a group, please send an email to JAMGroups@csc.com.  Once you have been authorized as a group you will receive an Access Code and be able to schedule your appointments through our Self Service Web at www.usvisa-jamaica.com.  The cost of this service is US$5.00 per applicant, payable by Visa or MasterCard.

Short-Term, Temporary Workers:  Short-term, temporary or seasonal workers must follow the "Special Group Appointment System" instructions listed above.

Immigrant Visas (IV)

Personnel from the IV section of the U.S. Embassy will contact you once all the relevant paperwork is in order from the U.S. petitioner.   

Access and Security Requirements for Visitors to the U.S. Embassy

All visitors to the Consular section, including all visa applicants and U.S. citizens, must enter the facilities via a dedicated consular entrance on Old Hope Road.  All visitors to the Embassy are required to undergo a security check.  Electronic items, including cell phones, cameras, beepers, and pagers, are prohibited on the Embassy compound and should be secured elsewhere before entering the Embassy.  The Embassy reserves the right to limit the entry of possessions and does not have the means to store these items.

Flu symptoms?

The symptoms of H1N1 flu, also known as “swine flu”, are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.  Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu or a worsening of ongoing medical conditions.  In an effort to control the spread of the flu, the U.S. Embassy Kingston asks that you reschedule your visa interview if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.  To reschedule your appointment for a time after you are no longer ill, please send us an e-mail at kingstonvisas@state.gov and follow the procedures, giving “flu symptoms” as your reason for the emergency appointment. 

Transportation

The Embassy is located at 142 Old Hope Road in Liguanea, Kingston 6.  It is accessible by public transportation, and commercial parking is available within a short walking distance of the Embassy.

Bus

There is a JUTC bus stop almost directly in front of the Embassy that services many bus routes.  More information on routes and schedules can be found at http://www.jutc.com

Taxis

Kingston has many licensed taxi companies.  Persons taking a taxi to the Embassy may be dropped off and picked up in front of the Embassy where there is a designated drop-off zone.

Parking

While the Embassy does not provide parking for visitors, ample commercial parking is available in a lot close to the Embassy.    For example, a parking lot is situated at:

27 Munroe Road

The preferred method of communicating with the Visa Unit is by e-mail. 

NIV inquiries: consularkingst@state.gov
IV inquiries: kingstonivinfo@state.gov

In most instances, you will receive a response within five business days.  Please wait at least five business days before sending another e-mail.  The U.S. Embassy does not respond to visa inquiries by phone.

Other Helpful Internet Sites:

Consular Affairs Website for Visa Information: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
Destination USA: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/index.html
State Department Homepage: http://www.state.gov
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homepage: http://www.dhs.gov
DHS U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS): http://uscis.gov
DHS-USVISIT Program: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=91
DHS-Customs and Border Patrol: http://cbp.gov/
First Gov Website: http://www.firstgov.gov