U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe

Renew Your Nonimmigrant Visa Without an Interview

You may be eligible to renew your U.S. visa through the Interview Waiver Program (IWP) by submitting your application to the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe.

Eligible applicants do not need to book an appointment or appear for an in-person interview, but an applicant or their representative will need to drop off the completed application at the Embassy, with their pre-paid courier return envelope, and pay all visa fees with our cashier (see below for detailed instructions on how to prepare and submit an IWP application).

We are currently accepting drop-off applications on Mondays from 10:00-12:00 (note: we are closed for U.S. and Zimbabwe holidays). Processing will generally be complete in two to three weeks but can take longer in some cases. Please note we are not able to return your passport to you while it is in processing and some interview waiver cases will need to be called for an interview. (Note: we no longer accept applications mailed directly to us via your courier company)

Please review these eligibility requirements:

• You cannot use the IWP program if you do not live in Zimbabwe or if you do not provide a mailing address in Zimbabwe.
• You cannot use the IWP program if your most recent visa application was refused or if your most recent visa was stolen or lost.
• You cannot use the IWP program if you were under 14 when your most recent visa was issued.
• You cannot use the IWP program if your most recent visa expired more than 4 years ago (see exception below for F, M and J applicants).
• You must be renewing the same class of U.S. nonimmigrant visa (see exceptions below for L visas and certain first time F, M and J applicants)
• EXCEPTION: L visa applicants cannot renew through the IWP program. They must schedule an appointment and appear in person for renewal.
• EXCEPTION: F, M, and J applicants who previously held any class of visa issued after their 14^th birthday may use the IWP program to apply for their first student or exchange visitor visa. Returning F, J, and M applicants are also eligible to use the IWP program.

Unqualified applications will be returned via courier with instructions to follow the regular appointment process.

How to submit your IWP application package:

1. Fill out your DS-160 online and print your barcode confirmation sheet.
2. 1.  Complete the DS-160 form here:  https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/ 
   2. Your confirmation sheet will look like this:

2.   Include one5x5cm passport-sized photo taken within the past six months. Photos must meet the visa application requirements described             at state.gov   including the requirement for a white background.

3.   Include your current passport and any prior passports that contain unexpired U.S. visas of the same class you are renewing.

4.   DO NOT INCLUDE ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS:

1. 1. C1 and D applicants (crew members), must submit a copy of their current letter of employment.
   2. J visa applicants must submit a signed DS-2019 and, if applicable, proof of SEVIS payment. First time spouses must submit a Marriage Certificate; first time children must submit a Birth Certificate.
   3. F and M applicants must submit their I-20 and proof of SEVIS payment. First time spouses must submit a Marriage Certificate; first time children must submit a Birth Certificate.
   4. Petition-based visa renewals (such as H1Bs) should submit their approved petition and job letter. First time spouses and children over 14 will need to schedule an interview.

5.    Obtain a prepaid courier return envelope from a courier service of your choice such as Cheetah, DHL, FedEx, or Swift, for shipping your           passport and visa to your home address. You will drop this off at the U.S. Embassy with your application.  You must prepay shipping to             your home address. The courier will provide you with a receipt showing the courier fee has been paid in advance. You will need to provide this             proof of payment when you drop off your application. Be sure to complete your shipping label with your address in Zimbabwe. The “sender”                 address is our address: U.S. Embassy, Consular Section, 2 Lorraine Dr., Bluffhill Harare, Zimbabwe.

6.   You or someone you select will then go to the US Embassy to pay your visa fee and drop off items 1-5 (DS-160, passport photo, passports,          required additional documents, and pre-paid courier return envelope). If you choose to have someone you trust to do this on your behalf they will        not receive a receipt. The customer copy of the receipt will then be sent back in your prepaid return envelope.

IWP processing time can take three weeks or longer in some cases. Please be aware it will take additional time for the courier to return your materials to you.

To check the status of your application please use the following link:

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?App=NIV 

While in processing your status will change from “No Status” to “Approved” or “Refused.” If your case is refused you will be contacted for next steps.

Please use the tracking number provided by your courier to track your envelope.

Note: The U.S. Embassy assumes no risk or responsibility for documents returned to you via courier service