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Worldwide Caution: The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution.

U.S. Visa Services
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Notice

Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality.  Visa application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.  For more information, visit travel.state.gov.

All individuals applying for an A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5, H1-B, H-3, H-4 dependent of H-1B and H-3, F, M, J, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, or U nonimmigrant visa are instructed to adjust the privacy setting on all social media accounts to “public” or “open” to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law. More information is available at travel.state.gov.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10998 on Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, the United States is suspending or limiting entry and visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries as well as individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.  Applicants who are subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998 may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States.  For additional details, visit travel.state.gov.

Effective immediately, the Department of State has paused all visa issuances to diversity immigrant visa applicants. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov here.

Updated Interview Requirement for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

The Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.  Effective October 1, 2025, the Department updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview.

All nonimmigrant visa applicants must be interviewed except:

  • Applicants renewing a B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa, within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration when the prior visa was issued for full validity applicant was at least 18 years old.
  • Applicants renewing an H-2A visa within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration when the prior visa was issued for full validity at the time of issuance and the applicant was at least 18 years old
  • Applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1; and Applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas.
  • NIV applicants who are under 14 and over 79 years of age are no longer exempt from the interview requirement and must be interviewed in person, unless they meet one of the exceptions mentioned above.
  • Consular officers may require an in-person interview for any reason and in any case where applicant has submitted a visa application.

Don’t Risk Your Future: The United States Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration

Don’t Risk Your Future: The United States Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration

To make America safe, strong, and prosperous, President Trump is ensuring that U.S. immigration laws are followed. If you try to enter the United States illegally, lie to get a visa, work without legal permission, or stay in the United States after your visa or visa waiver period expires, you will face serious penalties. These include jail time, deportation, and a permanent ban on obtaining a U.S. visa in the future.

If you have family or friends who are in the United States illegally, now is the time to tell them to come home.

Trying to Enter or Remain Illegally Will Get You Caught

Some people believe they can sneak into the United States and avoid being caught. This is not true. The Trump Administration has strengthened border security and greatly increased the number of illegal aliens being arrested and deported.  In February 2025, illegal border crossings dropped 94% compared to February 2024, while arrests of illegal border crossers inside the United States increased by 627%. If you try to cross a U.S. border or remain in the United States illegally, you will be caught, detained, and sent back. You may also be banned from ever returning or face fines and criminal charges.

U.S. Visa Fraud Has Serious Consequences

The U.S. visa process is the most secure in the world. Yet, some people unwisely still try to cheat the system by using fake documents, lying on applications, or staying after their visa expires. These are examples of visa fraud, and it is a serious crime. If you break the law in this way, you will be punished, and you may never be allowed to enter the United States again.

The Journey to the U.S. Border is Dangerous

For those considering making the dangerous journey to illegally cross into the United States, understand that your safety – and even your life – are at risk. Criminal groups, cartels, and human traffickers target illegal migrants, subjecting them to violence, extortion, and assault. Many who attempt the journey never make it to their destination.

The United States is working with other countries in the Western Hemisphere to stop and return people trying to enter illegally before they even reach the U.S. border. By securing our borders, we are not only protecting American citizens but also preventing the suffering caused by illegal immigration.

President Trump is Holding Everyone Accountable

The United States government is also taking action against those who help others enter the country illegally. This includes smugglers, human traffickers and even foreign government officials who allow illegal immigration to continue.

Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa restriction policy for foreign officials – including immigration, customs, and port authority staff – who fail to help stop illegal immigration. This builds on similar existing restrictions for those in the transportation and tourism industries. Those who threaten U.S. security by facilitating illegal immigration are not welcome in our country.

The Choice is Clear – Follow the Law
The risks of trying to illegally immigrate to the United States far outweigh any potential benefits. You could lose your life, become a victim of criminals, or end up with a record that damages your future and your family’s future.

Illegal entry not only breaks U.S. laws, it is also puts your safety and well-being in jeopardy. The penalties are serious: jail time, separation from your family, and permanent bans from re-entering the United States.

If you know someone who is in the United States illegally, the best thing you can do for them is encourage them to leave now before they are caught.

For everyone, the message is simple: Make the right choice, follow the law, and do not risk your safety, your family, or your future.

Not sure where to start? Our Visa Navigator will ask a series of simple questions to direct you to online information on the most common topics and provide instructions on how to contact us by email for less common questions.

WHAT IS A U.S. VISA?

A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport.

Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

The Visa section of this website is about U.S. visas for foreign citizens and nationals to travel to the United States.

Visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.

Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States. When planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit.

What Type of Visa Do You Need?

For short-term visits to the United States (for tourism, business, education, and more), you can go directly to the online application (form DS-160). For immigrant visas,  which are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States, you can visit the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services site for the relevant forms. Please Note: The U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam no longer provides most immigrant visa services. Those services are provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt. 

If you are unsure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Wizard below. 

Immigrant Visa Information

The U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam no longer offers routine immigrant visa services as of May 2024.  The U.S. Department of State has designated the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt as the regional processing location for all immigrant, fiancée/fiancé (K), V92/V93, and Diversity Visa (DV) applications for citizens and residents of the Netherlands.  To contact the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, please use their Visa Navigator.

Returning Residents and Green Card Holders:

If you already had your visa interview at U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, and no further evidence or documentation was requested, the consulate will contact you when visa processing has been completed.

If you already had your visa interview at U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, and they are still awaiting further evidence or documentation from you, please provide the information requested. If you have questions, please submit questions via the U.S. Consulate Amsterdam Visa Navigator.

If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not yet approved your petition(s), please review the status of your petition by visiting www.uscis.gov/casestatus or by calling 1-800-375-5283.

If you have questions about your immigrant visa case and have not received any communication from the National Visa Center (NVC) about your case, please contact NVC through the Ask NVC online public inquiry form.

If you have another question regarding Immigrant Visas, please use our U.S. Consulate Amsterdam Visa Navigator to connect with our team.

Map of U.S. Consulate General Location

U.S. Consulate Amsterdam

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