Apply for a U.S. Visa

Terms and Conditions

On this page:

• Use and Collection of Information
• MRV Fees
• Changes to Procedures and Fees
• Call Center
• Data Collection
• Authenticity
• Emergency appointments 
• Passport delivery 
• Visa Issuance
• Internet-based Transfers
• Other Websites
• General 

Use and Collection of Information

The United States (U.S.) Department of State (DoS) contracted CGI to provide general information and administrative services related to U.S. visa applications. In order to provide these services, CGI collects personal information including, but not limited to: name, address, date of birth, passport number, Internet Protocol (IP) address, and other data points. All information collected through this service is captured and stored on computer systems maintained in the United States, pursuant to CGI’s contract with DoS.

MRV Fees

• MRV fees are non-refundable and may be used for scheduling an appointment within one year from the date of payment.
• The MRV fee may be used for a limited number of appointment reschedules. Once tagged to a profile or used for the initial appointment, the MRV fee cannot be transferred to another applicant.
• All payments must be made only US currency (Dollar) and are valid only for appointments scheduled in the country where the payment was made. MRV fees cannot be transferred to a U.S. Embassy/Consulate outside of the country where the payment was made. In such cases, the applicant will need to purchase a new MRV fee in the country where he/she wishes to apply.
• Payments made using a deposit slip that is past its expiration date, or payments made using fee collection methods and vendors not listed on our website’s Bank and Payment Options page/Pay My Visa Fee page, may cause the following issues:
• Delays in processing the payment
• Underpayments which may require another payment to reach the full amount due
• Problems with processing the payment which may require that the payment be made again.

Changes to Procedures and Fees

The procedures and fees of U.S. Non-Immigrant and Immigrant Visas are outside CGI’s control and are subject to change without notice. CGI does not accept responsibility for any changes in procedures or fees and reserves the right to pass on increases in fees.

Call Center

• Our call center provides general information in line with U.S. Embassy/Consulate instructions.
• Call center agents cannot provide assistance with completing the DS-160/260 application forms. They also cannot advise applicants on the visa class they should apply for, nor identify specific documents the applicant should present during the interview.
• All phone calls received that support the service may be recorded for quality and training purposes. In such cases, the user(s) will be informed of this practice and its purpose at the start of any such interaction.
• The call center may be reached by phone, email, or chat only via the contact information provided on the website. 

Data Collection

CGI processes personal information collected through this website for the purposes of:

• Handling/responding to applicant inquiries and requests
• Processing requests for visa applications and appointments services
• Tracking application progress

Authenticity

CGI is not responsible for the authenticity or accuracy of the information provided by any applicant. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the information provided to CGI is accurate

Emergency appointments

• A request for an emergency appointment can only be made online via the applicant’s profile; by the applicant personally, or by the applicant’s representative acting on their behalf. An emergency appointment may only be requested once per application.
• Emergency requests are subject to Embassy/Consulate approval. Before requesting an emergency appointment, applicants should ensure they have documentary evidence to prove the urgency.
• Cases that may be considered an emergency may include urgent medical care for oneself or for a relative or employer that must be accompanied; a funeral/death; urgent business travel; or students or exchange visitors. Please carefully follow the instructions noted on the Apply for an Expedited Appointment page of our website.

Passport delivery

• Passports are delivered only within the serviceable area of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. You may change your preferred document delivery address online or through the call centre until midnight on the day of your interview appointment. There is no cost to change your delivery preferences. For drop-off service applicants, you may change your delivery location up to the time you drop off your application materials at Zoom branches. We strongly advise you not to change the pickup location after the time limit. Any changes to your desired pickup location after this time limit will lead to a delay in your passport delivery. If this needs to be changed, it can be done in the applicant profile on the www.ustraveldocs.com website.
• Passports not collected within 15 days from Zoom Branch will be RETURNED to the respective U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Applicants will then need to pick up their passports/documents directly from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
• To collect the passport, the applicant must present their own original, government-issued photo ID. Representatives collecting a passport for the applicant must have their own original, govern-ment-issued photo ID, a photocopy of the applicant’s ID, and an original authorization letter. For groups, one original authorization letter for all applicants in the group is sufficient.
• The applicant shall, at his/her sole risk, be responsible for taking all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized persons from collecting the passport.

Visa Issuance

The decision to issue or refuse a visa is made solely by the Embassy or Consulate. 

Internet-based Transfers

Given that the Internet is a global environment, using the Internet to collect and process personal data necessarily involves the transmission of data internationally. By browsing this website and communicating electronically with CGI, applicants acknowledge they understand this and agree to CGI processing personal data in this fashion.

Other Websites

CGI’s website may contain links to other websites which are outside CGI control and are not covered by this privacy policy. Should applicants access other sites using the links provided, the operators of those sites may collect applicant information. They may use this information in accordance with their privacy policies, which may differ from CGI’s. Neither CGI, our officers, employees, or agents shall have any responsibility or liability of any nature whatsoever for these other websites or any information contained in them, none of which have been verified or endorsed by CGI or affiliates.

General

The contents of these Terms and Conditions may be changed at any time and users will be subject to terms applicable at the time of usage.