DISCONTINUANCE OF VISA REVALIDATION

The Revalidation Division is discontinuing its domestic visa revalidation (or reissuance) service for visa revalidations in the E, H, I, L, O, or P categories. Applications and supporting documentation received must be received before July 16, 2004 to be considered.

New applications will continue to be processed in the order in which they are received. All information in the sections below on the revalidation process remains valid.

All applicants will now have to apply for new visas in their home countries. If it is not possible to travel to a home country, applications may be made at a U.S. visa processing post in Canada and Mexico (or another third country) provided a visa interview appointment is schedules. If there is a delay in visa issuance, more time may need to be spent overseas than originally planned.

The Visa Offices consider existing visas for revalidation when they are within sixty days of expiration. Visas received for revalidation before that sixty-day period are returned without revalidation. If a visa has expired, the Visa Offices accept applications for visa revalidation only if the visa is within one year of its expiration date. The nationality of the applicant must be the same as when the previous visa was issued.