The Fingerprint Reissue/Reuse Program

Certain applicants may now be eligible for a waiver of interview when applying for their next visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

With limited exceptions, applicants for U.S. visas worldwide must have their fingerprints enrolled at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. There is no change to this policy and applicants must still attend the Consulate in their region. However, certain applicants may now be eligible for U.S. visa issuance without being interviewed by a Consular officer.

To see if you qualify, please complete the checklist below:

• Are you applying for the same type of visa within 12 months of the expiration of your previous visa?
• Have you previously provided a full set of 10 fingerprints at a Consulate during a visa interview?
• Are you an Australian citizen or permanent resident?
• Are you a resident of the Consular district in which you are applying for your visa?
• Was your previous visa approved at the time of the interview without any correspondence from the Consulate indicating your application required further administrative processing?

If you answered “Yes” to all of the above questions, you may be eligible for The Fingerprint Reissue/Reuse Program.

In addition, the following requirements must be met:

• Your previous visa was not lost, stolen, or revoked;
• You have not changed your name or nationality since the issuance of your last U.S. visa;
• You have not been previously refused a visa or entry into the US;
• Your previous visa did not require a waiver of ineligibility (For example: criminal convictions)
• You have had no arrests or convictions (other than minor traffic violations) that have occurred since your previous visa was issued.
• You have no ineligibilities or reason to believe you have failed to comply with U.S. immigration law.

Do you meet all of the above requirements?

Yes. Please see our instructions on how to re-apply for your U.S. visa.

No. If after reading the above information you do not meet the requirements of The Fingerprint Reissue/Reuse Program, you must schedule an appointment and appear in person for a non-immigrant visa interview at a U.S. Consulate. See Applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa for instructions on how and where to submit your application.

If you meet all of the criteria but your previous visa was issued using only two fingerprints and you have not yet supplied all ten fingerprints, you must schedule an appointment to appear at a Consulate to enroll your fingerprints. On the day of the appointment, certain applicants may be eligible for U.S. visa issuance without an interview by a Consular Officer. See Applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa for instructions on how and where to submit your application.

Last update: Tuesday, 24 March 2009 GMT+1100