Apply for a Visa by Drop Box Appointment

Most applicants require in-person interviews with a U.S. Consular Officer when applying for a visa.  However, certain applicants may not require in-person interviews and may apply by using the Drop Box service at the Applicant Service Center as outlined below. 

Note: Applicants who do not meet the below qualifications must apply for their visas following the regular process as outlined in Visa Application Steps and schedule both enrollment and interview appointments.  The following procedures apply only to Mexican citizens with a valid Mexican passport and who are normally resident in Mexico.

Make Sure you are Eligible

The following applicants may apply for a visa without an in-person Consulate interview by using the Drop Box service at the Applicant Service Center:

• Applicants under 7 years of age (who have not yet reached their 7th birthday at the time of application), where both parents are Mexicans and at least one parent holds a valid visa;
• Applicants aged 80 years or older who are renewing their visas that are current or have expired in the last 12 months; and
• Certain applicants who are renewing visas in the H, L, O, R, I and TN visa classifications - Additional requirements apply as outlined below.

Note:  A friend or family member may use the Drop Box service to apply for individuals who are under 7 and 80 years or older. 
Parents may also apply on behalf of minor children (under age 7) by submitting the required documents/proof of application fee payment at the time of the parent's enrollment interview at the Applicant Service Center.

Who Qualifies for Renewal Without Visa Interview:

Some repeat travelers to the United States may qualify to renew their visas without appearing for a Consulate interview. This process allows qualifying applicants to submit their application via the Drop Box service at the Applicant Service Center.

Applicants renewing a full validity visa (except H2 and L-1 Blanket Petition) in the same visa category if the visa expired within the last year may apply for renewal without interview if they meet the criteria listed below.

Applicants renewing a full validity BCC, BBBCV, B1/B2, C1/D, F, I, J, M, or O visa that expired between 12 and 48 months prior to the ASC appointment may apply for renewal without interview if they meet the criteria listed below.

Criteria:

• All ten fingerprints were captured at a prior interview;
• The applicant's biographic identification information - for example, the complete name, date of birth, place of birth and nationality - is the same in the current application as when he/she last applied for this visa;
• The applicant is applying for the exact same classification and category of visa,
• An applicant seeking to renew a work visa must be returning to the same institution or workplace as was indicated in the previous visa application;
• An applicant going to the U.S. on petition-based visa should provide a copy of the approved petition (I-797 Notice) for the principal applicant;
• "TN" visa holders must include a job letter and copy of cedula;
• The previous visa must have been issued in Guadalajara in order to apply under this program in Guadalajara;
• The previous visa does not have "Clearance Received" written on it;
• The previous visa has not been lost or stolen, and the applicant has never had a visa revoked;
• The applicant has no prior visa refusals, does not have any visa ineligibility, and has not overstayed a prior visa nor had any immigration violations.

Important Note: The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara reserves the right to interview any applicant or, in the case of minor applicants, the parents of the applicant, for any reason. If your case requires an interview, your documents will be returned to you and you will have to schedule an appointment for an in-person interview. The use of the the Drop Box service does not guarantee visa issuance.

Additional requirements may also apply to certain applicants as determined by a consular officer.

Do not make final travel plans until you have received your passport with visa.

What Documents Are Required to Apply?

Important Note: All applicants must be present in Mexico. Applications will not be accepted if sent in by international mail.

Required documents for each applicant:

• Valid Mexican passport with at least one available blank page;
• An original CSC, Banamex, or Scotiabank payment receipt for visa application fee(s) for each applicant (duplicate receipts will not be accepted);
• Confirmation page of the Application Form DS-160 which contains the barcode;
• A 2x2 inch (5x5 cm) recent color photograph with a white background (see requirements below);
• Photocopy of birth certificate and/or Federal Election Card (IFE);
• Previous visas (if a visa renewal) ;

Additional required documents if applicant is a minor (under age 7):

• Copy of one parents' valid B1/B2 (tourist) visa;
• Copy of both parents' valid passports;
• Copy of the parents' marriage certificate;
• Copy of the birth certificate of the minor applicant.

Application Fees

Petition-based visa fees: US $190 (includes the H, L, O, and R visas).

Non-Petition visa fees: US $160 (includes the B1/B2 tourist visa, the “I” visa and the "TN" visa).

Fees for Minors: See the Visas for Minors section for more information about visa fees for minors.

How Can I Apply?

Applicants who qualify to use the Drop Box service must carefully follow the below instructions:

Drop Box Service applicants must follow the regular process for the first three visa application steps.  Upon calling the live operator, the applicant should state that they would like to schedule a Drop Box appointment.  The operator will then provide you with the date and time of your Drop Box appointment at the Applicant Service Center and will also ask you to elect a DHL location where you will ultimately pick-up your visa/passport. 

Photograph Guidelines

Submitted photographs should follow these guidelines:

• In color, printed on a white background without borders. Colored or patterned backgrounds are unacceptable;
• Show the applicant facing straight forward, looking neither down nor to the side, with applicant's head centered in the frame and applicant's ears exposed;
• 2 by 2 inches (5 cm by 5 cm) with the head centered in the frame;
• The applicant's head (measured from top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) must measure 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm; the applicant's eye level must be 2.8 cm to 3.5 cm from the bottom of the photo;
• Taken within the last six months;
• Stapled or glued to the DS-160 confirmation sheet. If stapled, staples cannot touch the applicant's face.
• See an example here.