Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Embassy in Nicaragua is unable to resume routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services at this time. However, the Embassy has resumed processing some immigrant visa cases and nonimmigrant visa categories, including student visas. There is no date set for resumption of routine services. The MRV fee is valid for two years from the date of payment and may be used to schedule an interview appointment in Nicaragua once routine service resumes. If you have a family or medical emergency and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ni_es/ni-niv-expeditedappointment.asp to request an emergency appointment.
Please also carefully review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the latest information about travel to the United States and visa services in Nicaragua.
Presidential Proclamation 10052 also suspended entry of certain categories of immigrants through December 31, 2020. Please review the Department of State website for information about this suspension and exempted categories. If you were issued a visa in a category not suspended under Presidential Proclamation 10052 but were not able to travel before the visa expired, you must wait until routine visa services resume to schedule an appointment.
The Consular Section reminds visa applicants to schedule their own appointments using ustraveldocs.com and consult the U.S. Embassy website for information in order to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
Click on the links below for more information regarding nonimmigrant and immigrant visa processing.
For general information on how to apply for a visa, please refer to http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ni/index.html.
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
See our Directory of Visa Categories on usvisas.state.gov to determine which visa category might be appropriate for your purpose of travel to the United States.
What is a Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
(Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit.).
Contact Us
To speak with someone specifically about visas in Nicaragua, please call 7877-7600. This Call Center number is a free information service. This number can be accessed from any touch-tone, land-based telephone or mobiles.
Callers in the United States 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central Time Saturdays: Call (703) 745-5479.
Visa Information Center: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ni/ni-main-contactus.asp
The Consulate cannot accept supporting documents in advance of the interview. Please bring all original supporting documentation to the interview.
Customer Service Statement
The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States. We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known. Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.
We promise to you, the visa applicant, that:
- We will treat you with dignity and respect, even if we are unable to grant you a visa.
- We will treat you as an individual and your case as unique.
- We will remember that, to you, a visa interview may be a new or intimidating experience and that you may be nervous.
- We will use the limited time available for the interview to get as full a picture as possible of your travel plans and intentions.
- We will use our available resources to fairly assist all applicants to get appointments to allow travel in time for business, study, and other important obligations.
- We will post detailed and accurate information on visa requirements and application procedures on every Embassy and Consulate website.
- We will provide information on non-immigrant appointment waiting times at every Embassy and Consulate posted on http://travel.state.gov.
- We will explain the reason for any visa denial to you.
Furthermore, if you are a:
- Student, we will make every effort to ensure that you get an appointment and, if qualified, a visa in time to start classes.
- Medical and humanitarian emergency traveler, we will expedite processing for those dealing with life threatening emergencies.
- Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
At the same time, we expect you, the visa applicant, to:
- Plan your travel and visa application as far in advance as possible.
- Complete your application fully and accurately.
- Be forthcoming about your purpose and plans.
- Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.
