Consulate Visa Appointment Wait Times
Wait times vary dramatically by consulate, visa type, and time of year. Always verify on the official State Department website.
View Current Times at travel.state.gov →Wait times change constantly
Times shown in this resource are informational and may be outdated. To see CURRENT times, visit travel.state.gov and select the country and consulate. Times for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are different — verify the correct type.
Consulates Most Used by JLA Clients in Georgia
U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juárez
Paseo de la Victoria 3650, Partido Senecú, 32543 Cd Juárez, Chihuahua
The most important consulate for immigrants with cases in the U.S. Most immigrant visas for Mexicans are processed here, including those applying through the consular process after an approved I-130.
Visa Types:
U.S. Consulate General Monterrey
Ave. Alfonso Reyes 96 Norte, 64000 Monterrey, Nuevo León
Second popular option for Mexicans from the north and northeast. Processes nonimmigrant and some immigrant visas. May have different wait times than Juarez.
Visa Types:
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City
Blvd. Los Próceres 7-01 Zona 10, Ciudad de Guatemala
The sole consular processing point for Guatemalan citizens. Handles high demand. Tourist visa wait times have historically been very long.
Visa Types:
U.S. Embassy San Salvador
Final Blvd. Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad
Primary consulate for Salvadorans. Tourist visa wait times have historically been very long. For immigrant visas, the process follows National Visa Center (NVC) instructions.
Visa Types:
U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa
Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa
Primary consulate for Hondurans. Wait times are variable. There is also a consulate in San Pedro Sula for some visa categories.
Visa Types:
U.S. Embassy Bogotá
Calle 24Bis No. 48-50, Bogotá
Primary consulate for Colombians and, in many cases, Venezuelans. Since the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela is closed, many Venezuelans process their visas through Bogota or other regional consulates.
Visa Types:
What Factors Affect Wait Times?
Visa Category
Immigrant visas (Green Cards) have different times than nonimmigrant visas (tourism, student). Immigrant visas follow the Visa Bulletin.
Consulate Location
Consulates with higher demand have longer waits. Ciudad Juarez processes enormous volume. Some secondary cities may be faster.
Time of Year
Holiday seasons (summer, December) and election periods tend to increase waits. January-March and September-November tend to be faster.
Consulate Capacity
Staff cuts, emergency closures (like COVID), and staff vacancies can drastically reduce processing capacity.
Emergency Appointments and How to Expedite
Emergency Appointments
Most embassies and consulates have a process to request emergency appointments. Common criteria include:
- ●Medical emergency requiring immediate travel to the U.S.
- ●Death or serious illness of a family member in the U.S.
- ●Urgent, non-postponable business travel
- ●Student travel with imminent start of classes
You must have a regular appointment scheduled to request an emergency one. Approvals are not guaranteed.
Consular Processing vs. Adjustment of Status
If you are already in the U.S. with legal status, you may be eligible to complete your Green Card process without leaving the country (Adjustment of Status, I-485). This avoids long consular waits and the risk of family separation.
What to Bring to the Consular Interview
NVC Package
- ✓NVC appointment letter
- ✓Form DS-260 (completed online)
- ✓Confirmation of civil documents submitted to NVC
Identity
- ✓Valid passport (valid at least 6 months beyond the visa)
- ✓Birth certificates with certified translation
- ✓Marriage / divorce certificate if applicable
Medical Exam
- ✓Sealed envelope with medical exam results (DO NOT OPEN)
- ✓Vaccination records
- ✓Current prescriptions
Financial Documents
- ✓I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with all attachments
- ✓Sponsor's tax returns (last 3 years)
- ✓Sponsor's employment letter or bank statements
Photos
- ✓2 passport-size photos (white background)
- ✓Photos must be recent (less than 6 months)
- ✓Consulate-specific format
Additional Documents
- ✓Evidence of family ties to petitioner in the U.S.
- ✓If criminal record: complete records and rehabilitation documents
- ✓Any letter from your attorney explaining your case
After the Consular Interview
Approved
You will receive your passport with the visa stamped. You typically have up to 6 months to enter the U.S. Upon entry, your Green Card will arrive by mail in 4-6 weeks.
Administrative Processing
The officer may place your case in 'Administrative Processing' (additional review). It does not mean denial. It can last weeks or months. Monitor at ceac.state.gov.
Denied
If your visa is denied, the officer must indicate the section of law. Some denials are curable (overcoming the ground). Contact an attorney immediately to evaluate options.
Need to Prepare for Your Consular Interview?
Our immigration attorneys prepare you for the consular interview, review all your documents, and represent you before USCIS and the NVC. Free consultation.