The United States Embassy in Accra has announced significant changes to its visa services operations, effective August 26, 2024.
The Embassy will transition to a new visa services provider, details of which will be available on the US Embassy website.
Consequently, access to the current visa service provider’s website and services will cease on August 16, 2024.
During the transition period, from August 16 to August 26, applicants will be unable to make new visa appointments, cancel or reschedule existing appointments, or access customer service.
However, all current non-immigrant visa interview appointments remain valid.
Key Information for Visa Applicants:
- Interviews Scheduled on or Before August 16: Applicants can continue to access their accounts at ustraveldocs.com to review appointment details and contact customer service. No further action is required.
- Interviews Scheduled Between August 16 and August 26: Applicants must print their appointment confirmation letters before August 16. They will not be able to cancel or reschedule appointments or access customer service during this period. Attendance at scheduled interviews is strongly encouraged. Instructions for rescheduling missed appointments will be available after August 26.
- Interviews Scheduled for August 26 or Later: Applicants must print their appointment confirmation letters before August 16. Beginning August 26, they will need to create new user accounts on the new visa services website to manage their appointments and contact customer service.
Action Required for Different Applicant Groups:
- Applicants Who Have Paid the Visa Fee but Not Scheduled an Interview: It is advised to schedule visa appointments as soon as possible and follow the instructions based on the interview date.
- Applicants Planning to Travel in August or September Who Have Not Paid the Visa Fee: It is recommended to pay the visa fee and schedule appointments immediately, noting that slots are limited. If unable to schedule before travel, consider waiting until after August 26 to begin the visa process.
- Applicants Planning to Travel After September Who Have Not Paid the MRV Fee: It is suggested to wait until after August 26 to start the visa process.
Important Dates:
- August 16: Last day to access ustraveldocs.com for fee payments, scheduling appointments, and contacting customer service.
- August 21: Last day to drop off documents at Premium Delivery locations.
- August 23: Last day to drop off documents at locations in Ghana for delivery to the Embassy.
- August 26: Launch of the new visa appointment website. Fee payments, appointment scheduling, and customer service will be available, along with new document drop-off and pickup locations.
The U.S. Embassy emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific visa requirements and ensuring all necessary steps are completed promptly to avoid any disruptions during this transition period.
