Sending Documents to the U.S. Embassy in Colombo
If you need to submit any documents to the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, please place the requested papers and your passport in a sealed envelope. Address the envelope to the Consular Section at 221g Processing, U.S. Embassy Colombo, 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3. You can drop off the envelope with the guards at the embassy entry gate anytime from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Alternatively, you may use a courier service to deliver the documents.
Rescheduling or Canceling Your Interview
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please inform the consular section by using the Visa Navigator. From the main menu of the Visa Navigator, select Immigrant Visas. Please note that rescheduling might result in a significant wait for the next available appointment. Therefore, we strongly recommend trying to attend the date originally assigned. It is essential for Diversity Visa (DV) applicants to be aware that visas are limited in number and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. Thus, there is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of a rescheduled interview. Before requesting a rescheduled interview, it is crucial to carefully consult the Visa Bulletin.
Security Screening Procedures
To enter the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, all visitors must adhere to specific security procedures. Please be aware that any visitor who declines to undergo screening by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be denied entry. To prevent delays for yourself and others in line, kindly bring only what is necessary for your interview. Keep in mind that bags are not allowed inside the U.S. Embassy, and there is no storage facility for bags at the security check-in area.
Accompanying Persons
Please note that attorneys and petitioners are not permitted to accompany clients to the waiting room or their interview. The following individuals, however, may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:
- Special Needs Visitors: If an applicant is elderly, disabled, or a minor child, they may bring ONE person to assist them. Before your appointment, please submit the name of the person accompanying you to the consular section through the embassy’s Visa Navigator. Remember, all visitors to the U.S. Embassy must present photo identification.
Immigrant Visa Fees
On the day of your interview, please ensure that you have paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the IV appointment website. Please note that all fees can be paid in either U.S. dollars or the Sri Lanka Rupee equivalent. Cash is the only form of payment accepted at the U.S. Embassy. Keep in mind that the application fee cannot be refunded if you are deemed ineligible to receive an Immigrant Visa. For a complete list of fees, you can visit the TSG website.
Do Not Make Travel Plans Outside of Sri Lanka
If your Immigrant Visa (IV) gets approved, the embassy will retain your passport while preparing your immigration packet and printing a visa in it. Our embassy staff will either call you or send you an email to inform you of the time to pick up your visa. If you need to travel within Sri Lanka while your passport is still with the embassy, please ensure you have a valid photo ID other than your passport.
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