Security Regulations

On this page:

Overview

Please read carefully the general list of security procedures for U.S. Embassies.  Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be prohibited from entering the Embassy grounds.

Security Notice to All Embassy Visitors

All visitors must be screened prior to entering a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and are subject to inspection via walk-through metal detector and a hand-held metal detector.  All personal items will undergo full inspection by use of x-ray and other detection equipment.

Any visitor refusing to submit to security screening shall be prohibited from entering.

Prohibited Items (Items Not to Bring to the Embassy)

The following items are prohibited inside the U.S. Embassy and we have no storage facilities for them, so please leave them at your home, your hotel, or in your vehicle:

  • Backpacks, bags, luggage, or large purses (purses 32 x 25 x 15 cm. and smaller will be permitted)
  • Food and beverages
  • Fire-lighting equipment (e.g. matches, lighters)
  • Weapons of any kind, including mace or pepper spray
  • Tools, including any sharp or bladed objects
  • Any oils, aerosols or pump sprays, liquids, lotions and powders
  • Electronic or recording equipment of any kind, including, but not limited to:
    • Cameras
    • Laptop computers
    • Mobile phones
    • Blackberries
    • MP3, CD, or cassette players
    • Pagers
    • Keyless remotes
    • E-readers such as iPads or Kindles
    • Thumb drives
  • Helmets of any type

This list is not all-inclusive. The U.S. Embassy reserves the right to deny entry of any items deemed suspicious.

Permitted 
  • Small bags to carry necessary documents
  • Passport  and relevant documents
  • Wallet/small purse
  • Newspaper/books in printed form only (e.g. no Kindles, iPads or other e-readers).
  • Writing materials
  • Car, house keys

Consular-Related Visitors

The following persons may accompany an applicant on a case-by-case basis during Consular-related visits:

  • Interpreter: Applicants may request to bring one interpreter if they do not speak English or Arabic well enough to participate in an interview.  The request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may request to bring one person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or if the applicant is a minor child applying for a visa.  The request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Due to waiting room size, the large volume of applicants and the time required to screen consular clients, other accompanying persons cannot be admitted to the waiting room.

Drivers, friends, and extra relatives must wait outside or return to meet the applicant after the interview has been completed.  The sole exception to this rule is applicants with minor children under the age of 18.

Attorneys, agents, accountants, or employers accompanying applicants will not be permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or at their interviews without prior approval.