2006 Press Releases

Mandatory Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) Usage

October 11, 2006

Visa Officer and Soca Star Kees Diefenthaller at Electronic Visa Application Form Press Conference

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain advises the public that effective Wednesday, November 1, 2006, all applicants for non-immigrant (business, tourist, student, work, crew) visas must use the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF).  Handwritten forms will no longer be accepted as of this date.  The EVAF is an online form which can be accessed at the following address: https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp and is also available on our home page.  Applicants must fill the form out online, print all pages of the form, and bring it to their visa appointment.  Do not send the forms electronically.  When printed correctly, the form will have a bar code on the third page.  All the data on the application form is contained in the bar code, which will be scanned into our system on the day of the visa appointment.  Use of the EVAF will minimize date entry errors and speed processing time. 

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy would like to emphasize that the use of EVAF is a worldwide requirement for all applicants for U.S. non-immigrant visas.  No exceptions will be allowed.

TOURIST AND BUSINESS VISAS
The current wait time for Non-Immigrant (tourist) visa appointments is now approximately 40 calendar days.  We remind applicants to arrive on time for appointments and to ensure that all documents are in order prior to your arrival at the visa section.  Please bring your completed EVAF application form, two (2) photos on a light or white colored background, both receipts as proof of payment from TT Post, and any documents you feel will strengthen your case.  Applicants often bring in job letters which include their monthly salary and tenure, bank statements with average six-month balances, business registrations, deeds, etc. You are not required to bring in sponsorship letters or documents. 

In response to numerous inquiries, we remind current visa holders that U.S. visas remain valid even in an expired passport.  Simply attach the old passport with the valid U.S. visa to the new passport.

For more information, click here, visit http://travel.state.gov, call 976-USA1, or email us at consularpos@state.gov.