U.S. Embassy in Malawi

Nonimmigrant visa appointments and information are available here: https://mw.usembassy.gov/visas/important-visa-information/

Interview Waiver Program: If the applicant has had a U.S. visa that expired within the past 48 months and is applying for a visa in the same category as the previous visa, they should email a photograph of their expired visa to LilongweConsular@state.gov using “Interview Waiver Request” as the subject of their message to see if they qualify for the interview waiver program.

Expedited appointments: The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy reviews requests to expedite nonimmigrant visa appointment on a case-by-case basis.  Due to high global demand for visa appointments, we will only review requests for expedited appointments for Malawian citizens and residents applying for:

• Humanitarian and medical emergencies,
• Students and exchange visitors,
• Urgent business travel, and
• Attendance by invitation to high-level meetings for certain international organizations.

All expedite requests must be made by the visa applicant.  The applicant sends an email to LilongweConsular@state.gov with the subject “Qualifying NIV appointment request.”  The request must provide justification and be accompanied by a DS-160 confirmation form and supporting documentation as described below.  If the consul determines the case meets our strict expedite criteria designed to protect our applicants and our staff, an appointment will be scheduled as quickly as the embassy can safely accommodate the interview.

Urgent Medical Travel: 

To obtain urgent medical care not available in the region, or to accompany someone receiving urgent medical care.

Essential documentation:

1. A letter from the applicant’s doctor in Malawi describing the medical condition and why they are seeking medical care in the United States.
2. A letter from the physician or hospital in the United States indicating that they are prepared to treat the condition and providing the approximate cost of the treatment.
3. Evidence of how the applicant will pay for the cost of the treatment and associated travel and lodging.

Humanitarian/Emergency Travel:

May include an immediate relative’s death, grave illness, or life-threatening accident taking place in the United States.  Immediate relatives are defined as parents, spouse, children, or siblings of the applicant.

Essential documentation:

1. A letter from the hospital or care facility describing the medical condition of the relative and prognosis; or
2. A letter from the funeral director stating the contact information, the details of the deceased, and the date of the funeral.
3. The applicant must also present evidence that the family member is an immediate relative (parent, spouse, child, or sibling).

Students or Exchange Visitors:

Purpose of travel is to begin or resume a valid program of study in the United States within 90 days when no regular visa appointments are available.  This option is limited only to applicants who have not been refused a visa within the last six months.

1. Original Form I-20 or DS-2019 indicating start date of program,
2. Please include the program start date as listed on the I-20 or DS-2019 in the text of the expedite request, and
3. SEVIS ID number must be included in the applicant’s profile.

Urgent Business Travel:

Purpose of travel is to attend to an urgent business matter where the travel requirement could not be predicted in advance.

Essential documentation:

A letter of invitation from the corresponding company in the United States attesting to the urgency of the planned visit, describing the nature of the business and the significant loss the U.S. or Malawian enterprise will suffer if an expedited appointment is not available;

or

Evidence of a required training program in the United States of three months duration or less, to include letters from both the local employer and the U.S. company providing the training.  Both letters should include a detailed explanation of the training and explain why either the U.S. or local company will suffer a significant loss of opportunity if an expedited appointment is not available.

International Organization Meeting:

Purpose of travel is to attend an international meeting by invitation from an international organization or a foreign mission.

Essential documentation:

A letter of invitation or confirmation from the international organization, foreign mission, or host government that describes the applicant’s role at the meeting, the significance of their participation, and the dates of travel.

Please note:

• If the applicant misrepresents the reasons for urgent travel, such facts will be noted and may influence the outcome of the visa application. Additionally, if the applicant had previously been granted an expedited appointment but subsequently refused a visa, they would not be allowed to schedule another expedited appointment.
• Travel for the purposes of attending wedding or graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or for last-minute tourism does not qualify for an expedited appointment. We also do not expedite appointments for travelers’ convenience or for advance booking of flight tickets.  For such travel, applicants should schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.