If you are planning to study abroad in the US in Fall 2025, you may have experienced delays in securing your student visa. If you have already booked a visa interview, but the interview date is later than the start date at your US university, you may be able to request an emergency visa interview appointment.
Studying in the US in 2025 - Requesting an Emergency Visa Appointment
Before applying for an emergency appointment, you must ensure that you qualify for this status. Valid reasons for an emergency visa interview can include:
Reason A: My program start date is approaching, and the visa appointment I booked is scheduled for after the university start date.
Reason B: My embassy or consulate rescheduled or canceled my visa appointment and no alternatives are available in time.
Just making the claim is not enough; you must also bring all required documents to prove the urgency of the appointment. If, during your visa interview, it is determined that you misinterpreted the reasons for the emergency appointment, such statements will be noted on your case file and may greatly affect the influence on the outcome of your visa application. For this reason, it is very important to keep in mind to only apply for an emergency appointment if you have a valid reason.
You are requested to first pay your visa fees as required for a regular visa appointment. To apply for an emergency appointment, you will need to fill out the Emergency Request form and state your reason for needing an emergency appointment. Applicants who are granted an emergency appointment, but miss their interview at the US Embassy/Consulate will not be allowed to obtain another emergency appointment.
Students who must attend or resume their educational program in the US within 60 days can apply for an emergency appointment if no regular visa appointment is available. But this is limited only to applicants who have not been refused a visa in the last six months at a US Embassy/Consulate.
Have other visa questions? Check out our FAQs Guide to Studying in the US in 2025 >
Required Documents for Emergency Visa Appointments
The required documents needed to request an emergency student visa appointment are:
Evidence that you have paid the SEVIS Fee ( if applicable)
Original form I-20 proving that the start date of the educational program is within 60 days
Support letter from your university indicating your name and program start date
Students working with Shorelight can contact their Enrollment Services Advisor. The request should be submitted once you book the first available date in the Shorelight Student Portal.
How to Apply for an Emergency Appointment
Here is how to submit your application for an emergency student visa appointment.
Pay the visa application fee.
Complete the DS-160 form (Non-Immigrant Visa Electronic Application).
Schedule an online appointment for the earliest date that is available and complete the Emergency Request Form. You must indicate the type of emergency that qualifies you for an Emergency Appointment. (Note: You must first schedule a normal appointment before you can request an expedited date. When you schedule an appointment, you will see a message showing the earliest available appointment date, which also includes emergency appointments.)
Click on submit. Once you have submitted your request, you must wait for a response from the US Embassy or Consulate, which will come via email.
If the embassy or consulate approves your request, you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your emergency appointment online. Make sure you check your junk and spam folders in addition to your inbox.
Once your email confirmation has been received, you can then visit the US Embassy or Consulate on the date and time of your interview. You must bring all required documents that need to be presented at the visa interview. Applications without required documentation will not be accepted.
Good luck! Remember that Shorelight counselors are here to help, every step of the way.
Need personalized guidance in obtaining your student visa? Reach out to a Shorelight advisor >