Non-Immigrant Visas

How to Apply

(The following procedure is subject to change. If you reapply in the future please visit this web page for the new possible procedure to schedule your appointment.)

Dear non-immigrant visa applicant:

To schedule your non-immigrant visa appointment (e.g.: business, tourist, visitor, student, work, etc.), please follow the steps below:

NOTE: • Diplomats and Albanian Government Officials, traveling to the United States on behalf of your national government to engage solely in official activities for that government, do not require an appointment. Please see Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials for more information. • Expedited Visa Appointments.

1. STEP ONE:
   
   Fill out and print Form DS-156 (Non-Immigrant Visa Application)
   
   IMPORTANT: The DS-156 form will have a barcode number used for scheduling your non-immigrant visa appointment. The barcode is also used for scanning the application when you appear at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana for your visa interview appointment.  On the right see examples of the unreadable and readable barcodes.
   
   
2. STEP TWO:
   
   Click here for a list of documentation you need to bring at the time of your visa appointment.
   
   
3. STEP THREE:
   
   

   To schedule, change or cancel your appointment.

   
   To book your appointment, you will need the barcode number from your Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) DS-156 and a printer. If you do not have a printer, you will not be able to print out the confirmation page that permits you to enter the Embassy. You cannot reprint the confirmation page once you have exited the system. Your confirmation ID is not sent to you by e-mail, so please write it down if you experience any kind of problem with your printer. Please visit Visa Wait Times to learn our office's waiting period to get an appointment.
   
   

You must bring a copy of your Appointment Confirmation webpage to your interview in order to enter the consular section. The system will not send a confirmation e-mail. (Print the webpage using the print button on your browser.)

Each visa applicant must have his/her own appointment. If you are applying as a family, each applying member must have an appointment regardless of age.

If you have lost the ID number or if you did not print an interview appointment letter for your interview and need the ID number to reprint, please contact our office via e-mail at evisatirana@state.gov by providing your correct full name, date of birth, DS-156 barcode number and a phone number.

IMPORTANT:

To prevent multiple bookings by the same person, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana reserves the right to cancel any appointments which do not appear to be valid reservations. Please spell your name correctly. Multiple name spellings with the same or similar passport numbers may be subject to cancellation.

Your appointment time printed on the confirmation letter is when you will be allowed to queue up outside of the Embassy's consular section gate to gain admission to the Embassy. It is NOT the time when you will be interviewed. Your appointment letter and the required documentation will be checked once you pay the application fee. Please make sure documents are placed in the specified order. Your interview will take place after the initial paperwork and processing are complete. Please be prepared to be at the Embassy until as late as noon for an interview. Reading material is permitted, but electronic devices (including mobile phones), food, beverages and large bags are not allowed into the Embassy. Electronic devices can be checked at the Embassy entrance.

Due to space limitations in our waiting room, the primary applicant will be the only person allowed into the building unless the applicant is a minor child (age 17 and under) accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or is disabled and requiring assistance. Other parties (including relatives, friends, co-workers, employers, lawyers, etc.) will not be allowed into the building unless requested to do so by a Consulate official.