Renew My Visa

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Overview

It is important to know that your visa may still be valid if the passport it is in expires. You can travel to the United States with your old passport containing a valid visa and your new, valid passport.

To facilitate the renewal process for tourist and business visas, the Consular Section accepts renewal applications for some visa applicants without requiring a personal interview. In many cases, applicants do not need to appear at the Embassy at all. 

However, to be able to qualify for the renewal process, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Your visa is either unexpired, or expired less than one year ago;
  • You are applying for another visa of the same type as your previous visa;
  • You have complied with the terms of your previous visa;
  • You must normally and legally reside in Algeria (foreign residents should present their residency card at the time of the appointment).

How to Apply for Visa Renewal Service

If you meet the requirements listed above, you may be eligible for visa renewal processing.  To apply for this service complete the following steps:

Step 1

Complete the Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.

Step 2

Log-in to our online applicant system and create a profile to pay the visa application (MRV) fee. Once logged in, choose “Schedule appointment”. As you go through the process you will answer the interview waiver questions which will evaluate your eligibility to apply for a visa without an interview.

Step 3

After you answer the questions, you will be prompted to pay the visa fee. If you are eligible to apply for a visa without an interview, you will print out the “Application Drop-Off Letter” which you will include with your visa application to be mailed.

Step 4

Gather your DS-160 confirmation page, MRV fee receipt, current and previous passports, photo, and a letter explaining your travel purpose and itinerary. Depending on the visa category, you may require additional documentation and a reciprocity fee. Please refer to your specific visa category page for additional required documents.

Step 5

Go to one of the Aramex locations specified here. Take your Application Drop-Off Letter and all documents required with a mailing envelope to enclose your documents. A receipt with the tracking number will be given to you. There is no charge for this transaction.

Step 6

Aramex will deliver your documents to the U.S. Embassy.

Step 7

At the end of the visa adjudication process, the U.S. Embassy will return your documents and your passport to you at the chosen document delivery address in your profile. When the documents are dispatched you will receive an email with the tracking number. You can change the delivery address by accessing your profile. If issued, your passport will contain your visa.

Important Note: The use of the mail-in service does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, applicants may still be required to appear for a visa interview. Examples of this include incomplete and/or inaccurate applications.

Renewals for Children under the Age of 14 and Adults over the Age of 79

If you are renewing your visa in accordance with the above requirements, and you are a child under the age of 14 and an adult over the age of 79, then you do not need to be physically present to renew your visa.  These applicants are not required to have their fingerprints taken, and for that reason, a family member or other representative can deposit the passport with the visa to be renewed.

Provide All Your Passports

If you are renewing your visa, please remember to provide all your current and expired passports.  Applicants with dual nationalities should present passports for both countries.  It is important that you provide all your passports when you apply for your visa renewal so that the consular officer can review your travel patterns for the complete time period.  If you do not provide all requested passports, you could be required to complete a personal interview in order to decide your case.

Note: It is not necessary to submit your expired passport (with U.S. visa) if you submitted it for passport renewal and it was not returned to you.

General Information

If the passport containing the visa has expired, you will need to first renew the passport, and then deposit both the new and all old passports at the Consular section.  Additionally, all applicants must pay the $160 visa fee, and bring a printed copy of the confirmation page of the online DS-160 form as well as a 2x2 color photograph.

NOTE: Please keep in mind that submitting an application under this visa renewal service does not guarantee approval of a visa.  The adjudication of all visa applications must comply with all U.S. rules and regulations regarding visa issuance.

Apply for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa