Visa Services

Consular Notice – February 15, 2007

U.S. Visa Services Temporarily Suspended in Asmara

The Embassy of the United States of America has encountered interruptions in our Diplomatic Pouch service since January 22, 2007 that have impeded delivery of required documents and articles required for our operations. For this reason, the Embassy will be closed until further notice to public services, including visa issuances, beginning Wednesday, February 14, 2007. The Consular section will remain open only for essential services to American citizens. We look forward to a quick resolution of this issue with the Government of Eritrea and to resuming normal operations as soon as possible.

How To Apply

Note: Only visa applicants are admitted to the Visa Section Waiting Room

Nonimmigrant visas applications may be made at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy, located at 179 Ala Street. The Consular Section only receives Nonimmigrant visa applicants on Monday and Wednesday between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. only. Each applicant must pay a non-refundable $130.00 nonimmigrant visa application fee or equivalent in local currency (Nakfa) at the U.S. Embassy. 

REQUIRED to apply for a nonimmigrant visa: 

1. A valid passport.
2. Application fee of $130.00 USD or equivalent Nakfa.
3. A completed electronic NONIMMIGRANT APPLICATION FORM DS-156, regardless of age or whether more than one person is traveling on the same passport. Nonimmigrant Visa Application printed on three single sheet of paper; for additional info, please visit http://evisaforms.state.gov/
4. Male Visa applicants between the ages of 16 to 45 years MUST fill out an additional FORM DS-157: Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Printed on both sides of a single sheet of paper.
5. STUDENT AND EXCHANGE PROGRAM VISA APPLICANTS (F, M AND J) everyone must complete an additional FORM DS-158: Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant.
6. One passport size photograph (approx. 4 cm. X 4 cm.), recently taken and with a white background.
7. Other forms for certain classes of Nonimmigrant Visas, such as, a FORM I-20 for the Student Visa Applicants.

U.S. Embassy Asmara will accept documents related to pending I-130 applications, but you will not be interviewed until we reopen for routine business.

We hope to resume normal public operations, including the full range of consular services, as soon as possible after the Eritrean Government allows our diplomatic pouches unimpeded entry to Eritrea as called for under the Vienna Convention. When we return to normal operations we will make an announcement.