- How to Apply
- Case Status
- After the Interview
Step 1. Check the Validity of Your Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States, unless exempt by country-specific agreements (PDF 24KB). Each person who needs a visa must submit a separate passport and visa application.
Step 2. Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
Completed the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. Please note that you must answer every question on the application form. If the answer to a question is “none,” please write “none”(Do not leave it blank). Incomplete/incorrect forms will be returned and will require you to schedule a new interview appointment.
Important! Many of our visa applicants are completing the DS-160 incorrectly, causing us to postpone their planned visa interview dates.
Step 3. Contact your Mission's protocol office or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The U.S. Embassy can only issue diplomatic or official visas upon receipt of a diplomatic note from the appropriate foreign office, diplomatic mission or international organization. If you are representative of the Maltese Government, you must coordinate with the Office of Consular Services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you are a diplomat assigned to a diplomatic mission in Malta, you must coordinate with your missions protocol office.
The following information must be included in the diplomatic note:
- Name and date of birth;
- Position and title;
- Place of assignment or visit;
- Purpose of travel;
- Brief description of duties;
- Travel date;
- Anticipated length of stay or tour of duty in the United States; and
- The names, relationships, and dates of birth of any dependents and other members of household who will be accompanying or joining the principal.
Step 4. Forward your passport and supporting documents to your protocol or Foreign Office.
Official government and international organization travelers usually do not need interviews. Please contact your protocol or foreign office to coordinate delivery of a valid diplomatic or official, or service passport, diplomatic note, DS-160 visa application confirmation page, and a 2 x 2 inch color photo not older than 6 months,
Step 5: Collect your passport and visa
When your visa is issued, the Consular Section will contact your foreign or protocol office to coordinate collection of your passport and visa.