Important Notice to Visa Applicants

Click here for a notice about Diversity Visa Scams

Do not allow any outside agency or individual to charge you for advice on completing your visa application form. The Consulate utilizes the services of the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) to enroll all visa applicants at the Applicant Service Center (ASC); their representatives will be available to assist applicants waiting in line outside of the ASC. Any other people who approach you outside the ASC or the Consulate DO NOT represent the Consulate. The paqueterias near the Applicant Service Center and the ones surrounding the Consulate DO NOT represent the Consulate and you use their services at your own risk.

• A computer record of previous visa applications and detentions by U.S. border authorities or law enforcement officers is available to all consular officers at the time of your visa application and to all U.S. immigration officers at the border. Attempts to conceal such records can lead to visa ineligibility and/or denial of admission to the United States. 
• Presenting false or altered documents, such as bank statements and work letters, or presenting someone else’s documents as your own, could result in a permanent visa ineligibility for yourself and possibly your family. 

In order to maintain a visa process that is fair and equitable to all applicants, the Fraud Prevention Unit would like you to know the following facts:

• The US Consulate has no agreement with any outside agency to assist applicants with the application process. 
• Visa appointment fees can only be processed through the CSC website or telephone service, Banamex, or Scotiabank. Visa appointments can only be made via this website or via the telephone numbers listed on the website.
• Applicants do not need to bring a photo with them on the day of their enrollment appointment, except in some cases for children under 7 as explained in the Visas for Minors section. Applicants can upload a digital photo as explained in the appropriate section of the DS-160 application, or have their pictures taken at the Applicant Service Center during the enrollment process.

There is no fee for:

• the online application form DS-160.
• requesting a specific appointment date or time.
• holding your place in line or allowing you into the line. 

Only persons applying for visas, or individuals accompanying children, elderly or handicapped applicants, are allowed in line and into the visa pavilion.

In an effort to keep the visa process fair to all applicants, you can report any fraud issues to us anonymously via the following: 
email visafraudgdl@state.gov or via our fax number (33) 3268 22 38.

Entering the U.S. - Port of Entry

Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a United States port of entry and request permission to enter. The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have final authority to permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine how long a visitor may remain in the U.S.