Ask the Consul

October 2008

Q: Under what circumstances can I receive a second American passport and how would I get one?

The Department of State´s general policy is that no person should have more than one valid or potentially valid passport of the same type at any one time unless authorized by the Department. The circumstances under which you could receive a second passport generally are 1) when you are traveling to a foreign country which will deny a visa or entry to the bearer of a passport containing markings or visas showing travel to certain other countries, or 2) when a passport needed for immediate travel is unavailable due to prolonged delays in processing a foreign visa application or some other foreign governmental process for which the passport was required.

To receive a second passport, you should come to the Embassy during American Citizen Services hours with two passport photos and evidence of acceptable U.S. citizenship and identity (such as your current passport). You will be asked to complete the Application for U.S. Passport as well as a signed statement giving the reason for which the second passport is required. Regular passport fees are applicable for second passports.

Q: I am not currently in Armenia. Can I pay the nonimmigrant visa application fee in the country where I currently am, or is there a way to pay the fee online?

There is no way to pay the non-immigrant visa application fee online, and the fee to apply in Armenia must be paid in Armenia. Applicants for nonimmigrant visas are required to pay the non-refundable fee in cash only at any Armeconombank branch. Once paid, the application fee receipt is valid for one year.

Q: How long is the waiting period for non-immigrant visa interview appointments? Also, after I have my interview, how long will it take for my visa to be ready?

To find out the waiting period for non-immigrant visa interview appointments you can visit the following website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html. Our website http://www.usa.am also provides a link to this site. From there you should select "Yerevan" from the drop down menu, and it will list the current non-immigrant visa interview appointment wait time as well as the time that it presently is taking to process visas.

Q: I´ve been notified that my interview for an immigrant visa is in a week. I won´t have time to collect all the required documents. Is there any way I can reschedule the interview so I can have everything ready?

Yes, you may reschedule your immigrant visa interview. Please contact us by e-mail at IVYerevan@state.gov and explain your concern, and we will schedule a better time for you to come in when you will be prepared.