Press Releases
U.S. Visa Applications Must be Submitted Electronically
Press Release
September 22, 2006
U.S. embassies and consulates continue to experience a high demand for visas. In order to accommodate the demand, the Department of State is requiring that all applicants use the on-line electronic non-immigrant visa application. This will enable us to process applications more quickly.
Effective Nov. 1, all applicants for U.S. non-immigrant visas must complete the on-line form, also known as an Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF or DS-156). Handwritten or typed application forms will no longer be accepted. All non-immigrant visa applicants must complete the on-line form, print it out and bring all three pages – including the barcode page -- with them to the Embassy for the visa interview.
The electronic form is on the State Department’s Internet site at:
The form is in English and all answers must be in English. To see the Norwegian translation of the form for helping in completing it, click here.
To reiterate: the translation is for informational purposes only. Only the English EVAF form, with answers in English, will be accepted.
To schedule an appointment for a visa interview, to which applicants must bring the completed electronic form, read the information here.
Appointment wait times fluctuate with demand. During the autumn slow travel period, appointments are usually available within a few days. As the end-of-year travel rush nears, that wait time is expected to climb. The Embassy encourages travelers to ensure that all travel documents are in order well in advance of their scheduled departure date.
The Embassy thanks the public for its understanding and cooperation.