How to Apply for a U.S. Visa At the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy has nonimmigrant visa (NIV) appointments available now. Here are instructions on how to apply.
The official website to schedule an appointment and make the payment is available at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-cy/niv. Local languages are available. Please note that this is the only website affiliated with the U.S. Government. Other companies exist that can help complete the application and navigate the online system for you. They charge a high fee for their services. They are in no way affiliated with the U.S. Embassy.
What Type of Visa Do You Need?
For short-term visits to the United States (for tourism, business, education, and more), you can go directly to the application website https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-cy/niv and complete the online application (form DS-160 available at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv). Please note that for immigrant visas, which are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States, you should visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services site at https://www.uscis.gov/ for the relevant petition form.
Applicants who hold a passport from a Visa Waiver Program country likely do not need a visa and they should go to the ESTA website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ to complete an ESTA application that will be valid for two years. Applicants who have a valid visa do NOT need to complete an ESTA application.
Application Process
Each applicant regardless of age must complete an application form, known as the DS-160, available at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv. The most common visa type is a B1/B2 visa for business and tourism. After completing the DS-160, the applicant should log on to the online appointment website to pay the visa fee and schedule an appointment.
For all technical problems with the application process, including problems with payment or scheduling an appointment, please contact the customer service desk at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-cy/niv/information/contact_us.
Expedited Appointments
If you have urgent travel and there are no appointments available that accommodate your travel, you can request an expedited appointment through the online system. You must first complete the application and schedule an appointment, and then you request an “Emergency” appointment through the online system.
Further information on applications
Interview Waiver – Local applicants who had a previous B visa (same nationality passport) that expired within 4 years of the date of application might be able to renew without coming in for an interview. See the website https://cy.usembassy.gov/visas/paw/ for details. If this applies to you, the visa application website will prompt you to “SEND DOCUMENTS” and it will now allow you to make an appointment.
Passport delivery – All passports with issued visas are returned to the applicant within one week by ACS Courier, a local Cyprus-based delivery service. The applicant will pay ACS Courier directly at the location closest to the address listed on the visa application. Please note that you need to supply photo ID to collect your passport. You should have a birth certificate/marriage certificate to collect a child/spouse’s passport. A third party must have a certified authorization from the owner of the passport. Once your U.S. visa is ready, ACS Courier will contact you via email/text message with your passport delivery details. You may contact ACS Courier directly at https://www.acscourier.net/en/ or by telephone at (+357) 77 777373.
Visa in Expired Passport – Unless canceled or revoked, and as long as you have not and are not violating the terms and conditions of your visa, a visa is valid until its expiration date. If the visa is valid, not damaged, and is the appropriate type of visa required for your primary purpose of travel, you can travel to the United States with your two passports (for example, your new valid passport and your expired passport containing the still-valid visa; or a married-name passport and a maiden-name passport containing the still-valid visa). Both passports should be the same type and nationality.
The Embassy usually issues most visas within one week, but occasionally applicants are subject to additional administrative processing. This does not happen frequently and is beyond the Consular Section’s control. Everyone is encouraged to apply early.
Consular Hours and Contact Information
Address: Metochiou & Ploutarchou Street, 2407, Engomi, Nicosia, Cyprus
or P.O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia, Cyprus
For all Visa Application Questions, visit the website: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-cy/niv/information/contact_us
Email: consularnicosia@state.gov