Press Releases 2003

New Visa Procedures Help Increase Security for Travelers Worldwide

18 July 2003

As part of the U.S. Government's ongoing commitment to improving the security of travelers, U.S. missions worldwide -- including here in Poland -- will implement a new visa application process beginning August 1.

All applicants for nonimmigrant visas -- except in a very limited number of cases -- will now need to schedule an appointment and appear for an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw or the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow. Except for the categories described below, all applicants who previously qualified to apply for a visa in any category without an appointment through the Consular Service Window will have to schedule an appointment and come to the Embassy or Consulate in person. The new procedure will help ensure travelers' security. By personally interviewing virtually all applicants, we are in a better position to determine a traveler's eligibility for a visa.

The following categories of Polish citizens and foreign nationals may apply for a visa without an appointment using the Service Window:

• Travelers age 60 or over with no prior refusals over the last two years.
  
• Applicants who are within 12 months of the expiration date of a previously issued nonimmigrant visa, and who are seeking re-issuance of a visa in the same category.
  
• Bearers of current visas in current or expired passports who would like to have a new visa in their new passport. Both passports must be presented. While it is possible to travel to the United States with both – the old and the new – passports, we suggest that holders of new passports apply for new visas.
  
• Foreign Government Officials (A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2 and G-3)
  
• Foreign Government Officials in transit (C-2 or C-3).
  
• Employees of International Organizations (G-4).
  
• NATO Officials, Representatives and Employees (NATO 1-6).

These procedures apply worldwide; they are the same for the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow.

To make an appointment, please call 0/701/77-44-00 Monday through Friday, 7:00 – 20:00. The cost of the call is 4 PLN + 22% VAT per minute.

For further information about our consular services, please refer to our website http://www.usinfo.pl.