American Consulate in Toronto Implementing New Appointment Scheduling System for E-Visas

On December 5, 2017, the American consulate in Toronto implemented a new appointment scheduling system for E-visas. The new system is strictly a processing change that will allow the consulate to receive and review E-visa applications before the applicant schedules an in-person interview. Compared to the old system, which permitted applicants to schedule an appointment before submitting an application or supporting documentation, the new appointment scheduling system is anticipated to speed up processing times. When an E-visa application is submitted under the new system, it will be sorted into two processing streams based on the time needed to review the required documentation.

First-time applicants and any individual wishing to renew the registration status of their E-visa company will be offered a “deferred interview” appointment. Also, keep in mind that first-time applicants and those wishing to renew the registration status of their E-visa company must apply in Toronto and will be provided with instructions on how to electronically submit their application and supporting documents to the U.S. Consulate in Toronto via [email protected]. In addition, an applicant will still be required to create an appointment profile and pay the necessary visa application fee online, but the interview will be deferred until applicants have electronically submitted their applications and supporting documents to the U.S. Consulate in Toronto.

Following the 10-day review period, an applicant will then be sent instructions on how to make an appointment for an in-person interview. It is important to note that an applicant will be unable to schedule an appointment before his or her application is reviewed, and only applications in the queue for “New Cases and Renewals” will be considered for company registration or re-registration.

How to Apply for an E-visa in Canada

Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas are for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation. The applicant must be coming to the United States to engage in substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, in qualifying activities, principally between the United States and the treaty country (E-1), or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the applicant has invested a substantial amount of capital (E-2). Applying for an E-visa requires several steps:

1. Gather all documentation pertaining to your E-visa application. Please carefully review the relevant tabs on the Related Treaty Trader Pages for a detailed listing of the required documents.
2. Complete and submit the Online Visa Application (DS-160) along with your uploaded photo.
3. Print the bar-coded DS-160 confirmation page which must be submitted with your application.
4. Complete and submit Form DS-156E (not required for dependent family members).
5. Create a user profile, pay the visa application fee for yourself and any accompanying family members, and follow the step-by-step instructions provided at our information and appointment service provider’s website.
6. Appear for your interview at the U.S. Consulate. See list of prohibited items.
7. If issued, your passport, visa and documents will be returned to you via Canada Post Courier service. Processing time is normally three to five business days after the interview. However, processing time may vary and there is no guarantee that your visa will be ready within this time frame. We urge travelers to apply as early as possible and to not make firm travel plans before the passport with visa has been received.

If you are interested in applying for an E visa, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today!