Non-Immigrant Visas

General Information

Interview window for visas in the Consular Section (Photo: Brett Bruen/US Embassy)

Applicants for Non-Immigrant (visitor's) Visas must qualify under the provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990.  For most classes of visas, this law requires that the Consular Officer assume the applicant intends to immigrate to the United States.  Applicants must overcome this presumption at the time of their interview by demonstrating social, familial and economic ties to their country of origin or country of residence which are sufficiently strong and well-documented that the Consular Officer can reasonably conclude they will depart the United States at the end of their visit.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine how best to demonstrate such ties.

All scheduling and processing is handled exclusively by the consular section of the U.S. Embassy.  No other agent should be contacted in relation to scheduling an appointment.  You should not use the services of any person who requests payment for assistance in filing your visa application.  These people are not affiliated with the US Embassy, and they often give misinformation to visa applicants that can cause them to be refused a visa.  Please refer to this website (http://abidjan.usembassy.gov) for all information regarding visa applications. 

For current visa interview scheduling wait times, please click here.

La Poste is no longer affiliated with the US Embassy in any way.

It is unwise to make firm travel arrangements prior to receipt of your visa.  The existence of a paid airline ticket, or a scheduled obligation in the U.S., does not justify special or accelerated consideration.  It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure he/she submits an application with adequate time before anticipated travel.

"IMPORTANT: Applicants are reminded that the consular section is closed to the public on Fridays. Qualified applicants who interview on a Thursday will receive their visas the following Monday."

Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.  A U.S. visa constitutes permission for a foreign citizen, coming from abroad, to travel to a United States port-of-entry and apply for admission.  Only an officer of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the authority to admit persons to the United States.  When a traveler arrives at a U.S. port-of-entry (an international airport, seaport or land border crossing), an officer of DHS's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service will determine if the traveler may enter, in what status, and for how long he/she may stay.