Visas to the U.S.

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Third Country Nationals (non-Mexicans)

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Interview Waiver Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Visa Services
Third Country Nationals (non-Mexicans) Who Wish to Apply for Visas in Mexico

Citizens of countries other than Mexico are considered as Third Country Nationals (TCNs) for visa application purposes in Mexico.

Before deciding to apply at a consular section in Mexico, TCNs should keep in mind that traveling to the country may require the appropriate Mexican visa from a Mexico’s embassy or consulate before making the trip. Potential applicants should be sure they have a visa, if necessary, and should be prepared to wait several days or longer in Mexico while their visas are being processed.

Third Country Nationals (TCNs) residing in Mexico with an immigration status (FM2 or FM3 status) may schedule an appointment at any of the Consulates in Mexico for either a first-time visa or to renew a visa. Third Country Nationals already in possession of a visa and who are currently working or studying in the United States may schedule an appointment only to renew their current nonimmigrant visas (and/or that of their children) at any of the Consulates in Mexico, regardless of where the prior visa was issued. Please review the points below on who may or may not apply for a visa in Mexico as a Third Country National.

Third Country Nationals who qualify to apply for a visa in Mexico may make their interview appointments at any of the ten posts comprising Mission Mexico on-line at http://www.usvisa-mexico.com/ (click on "English" if necessary) or by phone, as follows

: • In Mexico, call: 01-900-849-4949 (charges will appear on your phone bill) OR 01-477-788-7070 (charged to your credit card)

• In the U.S., call: 1-800-919-1754 (to charge appt. to a credit card)

If you are a Third Country National (TCN) and do not possess a nonimmigrant visa and DO NOT RESIDE in Mexico, you may NOT apply for your initial visa in Mexico, unless you are a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program and have an emergency (see instructions below). Otherwise, please apply in your home country or your last residence outside Mexico.

Appointment numbers are limited and may be unavailable at some posts because of other demands so flexibility in where you wish to apply is helpful.

Who Can Apply in Mexico

• Third Country Nationals (TCNs) who are not residents of Mexico and who seek to renew their visas in any category other than B1/B2 (pleasure/business) and H2 (temporary worker).

Emergency Cases – Visa Waiver Program nationals only
Lost/Stolen Passports – Foreign citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, who are not residents of Mexico and who have lost or had their biometric passports stolen, may apply in Mexico for a visa. These applicants will need to obtain a valid, emergency replacement passport from their Embassies and then apply for a visa to travel to the United States. Travel is NOT permitted under the Visa Waiver Program without a biometric or machine readable passport, therefore a visa is required. More information on the Visa Waiver Program and the participating countries is available at: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

Notice: Certain visa applicants may be subject to additional administrative processing. This administrative processing may last weeks, thus delaying visa delivery and the applicant's return to the United States. Every effort will be made to expedite these procedures; however, it is not possible to guarantee completion of this process by a particular date.

Who Cannot Apply in Mexico:

• Third Country Nationals (TCNs) who are not residents of Mexico and are applying for B1/B2 Visas (business/pleasure) or H2 Visas (temporary workers), even if they are renewing their visa, cannot apply in Mexico.
• Applicants who entered the U.S in one visa category and are seeking to return to the U.S. in a different visa category.
• Applicants who entered the U.S. with a visa issued in their home country and changed status with Department of Homeland Security in the U.S. who seek a new visa in the new visa category
• Applicants who have not fulfilled the requirements of their non-immigrant status in the United States, having violated the terms of their visas or who have overstayed the time period authorized on their I-94 form; and
• Applicants who entered the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (except in the case of an emergency where the biometric passport has been lost or stolen).

PLEASE NOTE: If you were informed at the time your visa was granted that you are subject to National Security Entry Exit Registrations (NSEERs) as a national of certain countries, then you are not eligible to renew your visa in Mexico.