Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for nonimmigrant travel
The Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. This means starting May 12, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. CDC’s Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will no longer be in effect when the Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic is revoked.
NOTICE: All nonimmigrant visa application fee (also known as the MRV fee) payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days from the date a receipt is issued for payment of the MRV fee. Applicants must schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application during this 365-day period. Please note applicants must only schedule their interview or submit their waiver application within the 365-day period. There is no requirement the interview must occur during the 365-day period. All receipts for payment of MRV fees issued before October 1, 2022, were extended until September 30, 2023, and remain valid until this date.
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.
Please visit our Global Support Services (GSS) website for complete information on applying for a nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including a directory of nonimmigrant visa categories.
If you are looking for a job opportunity in the United States under the H-2 Visa Program please visit the H-2 Visa Hub page.
If you are coming to the United States to work or study, learn more about your rights and protections here.
Contact Us
If you have a question regarding the visa process or a visa case, you may contact our Visa Information Center free of additional cost. Our customer service representatives are able to assist you Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Schedule provided in Central Time) via the following means:
· Telephone: From El Salvador call 2113-3122, from the United States call (703) 745-5476;
· Email: Write to the Visa Information Center electronic address support-elsalvador@ustraveldocs.com;
· Online Chat: You may also chat live with one of our representatives, click this link: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/sv/sv-main-contactus.asp
· Website: You can learn about the visa process and schedule your visa appointment at any time visiting the Visa Information Center official website ustraveldocs.com
· Victims of Scam: If you feel you have been a victim of a visa scam, or would like to know if a temporary work visa offer is legitimate, please contact our Fraud Prevention Unit at DenunciasSV@state.gov or call 2501-2636. Our staff speak Spanish and all calls are confidential.
Visiting the Embassy or Consulate
Limited Access to Visa Applicants to the Consular Section
Please be aware: Access to the Consular Section facilities and waiting areas for the visa applicants is limited to visa applicants ONLY. The following exceptions apply:
- Elderly visa applicants that require assistance**
- Children under 18 years old accompanied by parent(s) or the legal representative
- Handicapped visa applicants that require assistance**
**If an applicant has special needs and requires assitance on the day of your interview, they may be accompanied by a family member or legal guardian. Attorneys will not be permitted to accompany applicants into the waiting room or attend the interview.
We kindly request that you make all the necessary arrangements to comply with this new policy to avoid delays. There is no waiting area outside the embassy walls for family members.
Please Bring Your Visa Appointment Letter Ready to Show to the Greeters at the Entrance
The Embassy is closed for visa appointments on American and Salvadoran holidays and the first Thursday of each month as an administrative closure. Holidays are announced at this link and are also posted monthly at the Chancery entrance of the Embassy, located on the Boulevard Santa Elena.
