Press Releases

First-Time Student Visas by Appointment Only

May 29, 2003

As of June 2, 2003 all first-time student (F/M) nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants who do not currently qualify for our referral or personal appearance waiver programs and their family members will be interviewed by appointment only. Due to an increasing NIV workload, we can no longer accept first-time F/M applicants on a walk-in basis. We have set aside a certain number of appointments each day for F/M applicants. First-time F/M applicants must schedule an appointment by calling our NIV appointment toll number at 060-700-2510. This caller-pays telephone number is available 24 hours a day and offers visa information as well, but it cannot be accessed from outside of Korea, from public pay phones or from U.S. Forces Korea telephone lines.

We will continue to process visa applications as quickly as possible, however, it remains the applicant's responsibility to qualify for a visa in time to meet desired travel plans and program start dates. We ask applicants to fill out their application forms accurately and completely, submit all the required materials in good order and apply early.

We urge all NIV applicants to regularly check our website in Korean and English at http://usembassy.state.gov/seoul for the most current information and downloadable forms.