Important Information
Travel with Two Passports (Old & New)
If your passport containing a valid visa has expired, you may travel with two passports - your expired passport containing the valid U.S. visa and your unexpired passport. Please ensure that the spelling of your name and your date of birth are exactly the same in the old and new passports. If there is even a slight difference, you may need either to re-apply for a visa to be put in your new passport if required or apply for an ESTA to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Dual Citizens
Dual citizens (people who have U.S. citizenship and another citizenship, such as Greek) must enter the U.S. with their U.S. passport. If you are a U.S. citizen or think you might be, contact the Passport Unit at 210-720-2494 to obtain or renew a passport.
Children of U.S. Citizens
If you or your spouse is a U.S. citizen and you plan to have your child travel to the U.S., please contact the Passport Section of the Consular Section in advance of your visa appointment to determine if the child is eligible for U.S. citizenship. A visa will not be issued to an individual who is eligible for U.S. citizenship, or who has yet to determine his/her eligibility. For more information, or to schedule an appointment to determine your child’s eligibility for U.S. citizenship, please call 210-720-2494. You may also click here for information on “Reports of Birth Abroad” under the U.S. Citizens Services Section.
Onomatodosia
The Consular Section is unable to process visas in passports for infants or children with a printed name of “FNU” (first name unknown), or “Avaptisto” (unbaptized). If you come to the Embassy with the either “FNU” or “Avaptisto” on the passport, the visa issuance will be delayed until you obtain a new passport containing the full legal name. Go to your local Registrar’s Office to update your child’s birth certificate and proceed to your passport issuing agency to acquire a passport with the legal first and last name. This process is known as “onomatodosia”.
Mandatory Use of Courier For Issued Visas
All passports with issued visas will be returned via a fee-for-service courier available at the entrance or our Consulate. Individuals are strongly encouraged to apply for visas well in advance of their proposed dates of travel to allow sufficient time for courier processing. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued and the passport is received by the traveler. Click here for more information on our courier service