Visa Services

How to Apply

The Consular Section of the United States Embassy in Port Louis welcomes you and is pleased to inform you that completed electronic visa application forms will only be accepted for processing on Mondays and Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. by appointment only. The Consular Section is closed on weekends and on U.S. and Mauritian holidays.
 
The electronic visa application form, DS-156, is available at http://evisaforms.state.gov/. After completing the electronic visa application form, please click on the <continue> button, wait for the document to load and then print the 3 pages. The last page contains the barcode.  Please bring all 3 pages when you submit your application together with your supporting documents. Without all 3 pages, we will not be able to accept your application.

After completing the electronic form, please make an appointment by clicking here.

Without an appointment, we will not be able to accept your application.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications for visas at least one (1) month prior to their planned departure date for the U.S.

Visa regulations require applicants in the Port Louis Consular District, which includes Reunion and Seychelles, to apply in person at the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis.

Visas are generally ready for collection between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. on the business day immediately following the interview. Passports will be returned to applicants or a proxy who presents the application fee receipt.

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED WITH EACH VISA APPLICATION

a) A completed and signed electronic visa application form DS-156 for each applicant regardless of age or the fact that a child will be traveling on a parents passport.

b) Male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 must also complete form DS-157.

c) Effective January 1, 2008, a non-refundable processing fee in rupees of the equivalent of USD131.00 (based on that day's exchange rate) must be paid only at the Mauritius Commercial Bank Ltd. of Edith Cavell Street, Port Louis, prior to submitting the visa application. The bank may require you to present a valid passport at time of payment. Some nationalities may be required to pay an issuance fee once their visa is issued.  For more information, see the FAQs about Visa Application Fees.

d) One recent full face photo of applicant, regardless of age, taken within the past six (6) months, measuring 2x2 inches (5 cm), with the head measuring between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches centered in the frame. Both ears must be fully exposed in each photo, so care should be taken with head coverings. The photo may be in either color or black and white and must be taken against a white or off-white background without borders. Photos taken in front of busy, patterned, or dark backgrounds cannot be accepted. Similarly, tinted photos or those of applicants wearing sunglasses are not acceptable.

e) Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond intended period of stay in the U.S.

f) Any evidence deemed necessary to substantiate the purpose of the trip and departure from the United States after the temporary visit. Applicants must overcome a presumed intention to immigrate to the United States. Such evidence may include, but is not restricted to, a letter from an employer stating length of employment, salary and releasing applicant temporarily from work for the purpose of the trip; airline itineraries outlining plans while in the United States, or any other document attesting to the applicants reasons to depart the United States after the short stay, such as family ties, secured employment, or binding obligations in the applicants country of residence.

g) Proof of financial solvency and resources adequate for the applicants expenses while in the United States, e.g., bank statements for the past (6) months.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN APPLICANTS

Students (seeking F or M visas) are required to present a form I-20A-B or I-20M-N completed by the educational institution, while Exchange Visitors (seeking J visas) must present a form DS-2019 completed by the sponsor. Both Students and Exchange Visitors must also complete form DS-158 along with the documents listed in (a) to (g) above, and banking evidence that sufficient funds are available from the applicant, parents or scholarship/stipend sources to defray all expenses during the entire period of anticipated study/exchange.

If funds will come from another source, the providing sponsor will need to submit documentary evidence of the existence of those funds and may want to complete an affidavit of support (I-134) for the applicant to present with the application. Electronic certification of Student Exchange Visa (SEVIS) status transmitted directly to the embassy is also required at time of application and the applicant, through communication with the sponsoring institution, should verify its transmission and its receipt by the embassy. For information on the SEVIS fee, please visit the Department of Homeland Security site http://www.ice.gov/sevis on the SEVIS program. 

Temporary Workers (seeking H visas) and Intracompany Transferees (seeking I visas) are required to present evidence of a petition approved by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (ex Immigration and Naturalization Service).