Embassy of the United States

Non-Immigrant Visa

How to Apply for A Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)

Appointments

Step 1: Fill out and print a DS-156 Application Form

• You must complete and print a DS-156 application form (also known as the Electronic Visa Application Form or EVAF) for each applicant prior to making the appointment. The form is available at http://evisaforms.state.gov and all three pages must be printed on a laser-jet printer.  The data you enter is compressed into a barcode format, which we can then quickly scan into our computer system. The barcode is located on page 3 of the EVAF.
• Important Note: Persons with Handwritten DS-156 Forms Will Not Be Permitted To Submit Applications. Click here (PDF - 616 KB) to see an example of a properly prepared EVAF DS-156.
• Be sure you have the correct photo attached to the DS-156.
• When filling out the DS-156, please answer all questions fully. If you do not answer all questions on the forms, your application cannot be accepted. If someone completes this form on your behalf, he/she should print and sign his/her name at the bottom of item # 40. You are responsible for the accuracy of all information on the form.
• The DS-157 and DS-158, if required, may be downloaded here. These forms are also available free of charge at the entrance to the Consular Section.

DS-157 is for all male applicants between ages 16-45.
DS-158 is for students and exchange visitors.

Step 2: Make an appointment

• Once you have completed and printed your DS-156: CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
• You must print out the Appointment Confirmation Letter to bring with you to the Embassy on the date of your appointment.
• Note: Requests for an initial appointment will not be accepted by fax and such requests will be discarded.
• Applicants without an appointment will not be admitted to the Embassy.

Step 3: Come to the Embassy for your scheduled interview

• Applicants must arrive at the assigned date and time with a completed application, their confirmation letter, printed at the time they make the appointment online, current passport, and any documentation they wish to provide which demonstrates their ties to Cambodia and purpose of travel to the U.S. A passport with at least six months’ validity remaining and sufficient blank pages as well as all previous and other current passports should be submitted.
• Students and exchange visitors must also present their I-20 or DS-2019 and proof that the SEVIS fee is paid.
• All applicants must pay a USD131 application fee in cash to the Embassy Cashier on the day of the interview.
• After you have paid the application fee to the cashier, you will submit your application to one of our visa assistants.  We will check that your application is complete, scan it into the computer and give you a queue number.  Please take a seat in the waiting room and wait until the officer calls your number to conduct the interview.
• You will be asked to submit fingerprints at the time of the interview.  Please click here (PDF-87.0 KB) for more information.
• If your visa is approved, you will be asked to come back and pick up your passport and visa on the next working day after the interview. Passport collection is at 4:00 p.m. on business days, Monday through Thursday. If your visa application is not approved, your passport will be returned to you at the end of the interview.

Note: K-1 and K-3 applicants should NOT use the online appointment system.  K-1 and K3 applicants will be contacted and scheduled for an appointment by the consular section.

Emergency Cases

After making an initial appointment online, those applicants who need to travel urgently to the U.S., such as those traveling for urgent medical reasons, or a death in the family, are welcome to send an email to NIVPhnomPenh@state.gov to request an earlier appointment date. Last minute planning does not constitute an emergency. The email must include name, passport number, previously scheduled appointment date, and telephone numbers where the applicant can be contacted. You can attach any documentation which supports the need for an earlier appointment. However, any other documentation, including application forms, will be discarded. There is no extra charge if an early appointment is granted.