This guide is for participants applying from the United Kingdom only. If you are applying from another country, check the visa section of your Camp Leaders profile for instructions specific to your location.
How do I book my visa appointment?
To book your embassy appointment, follow the step-by-step instructions in the visa section of your Camp Leaders profile. You will book through the US visa appointment system at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/niv.
UK participants can attend their appointment at either the US Embassy in London or the US Consulate in Belfast.
After booking your appointment, upload a screenshot of your confirmation email to the documents section of your profile. The screenshot must include your appointment date and location. This allows Camp Leaders to track your visa processing and provide timely support.
Do not book travel to the embassy until your appointment has been verified by a member of the Camp Leaders team.
What if there are no appointment dates available?
Keep checking for availability. Appointment dates are updated frequently and new slots often become available. If you are applying from a location with multiple embassy or consulate options, check all available locations. For example, UK applicants can book at either the London Embassy or the Belfast Consulate.
Attending a US Embassy or Consulate appointment is a visa requirement. If you cannot attend an appointment, you will be unable to continue with the Camp Leaders program.
How do I reschedule my appointment?
You can reschedule your appointment through the embassy booking system. Reschedule as soon as you know you cannot make your original date, as this gives you the best availability for alternative slots. Full instructions are in the visa section of your Camp Leaders profile.
What if I miss my appointment?
You can reschedule your appointment 24 hours after your original booking time using the existing credits on your account. There is no additional fee. Let Camp Leaders know your new appointment details as soon as possible.
What do I need to bring to my visa appointment?
While the exact requirements vary by country, you should have these items ready:
Your passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay)
Your DS-2019 form
Your SEVIS receipt
Your DS-160 confirmation page
A US passport-sized photo (2 x 2 inches)
Proof of your camp placement
Camp address and contact information
Any other documents specified in your country-specific visa guide
What if I have forgotten something I need for my appointment?
You will need to reschedule your appointment. Make sure to gather and check all your documents 4 to 5 days before your appointment date so you have time to resolve any issues.
What happens on the day of my appointment?
Before your appointment:
Gather and review all your documents 4 to 5 days beforehand to make sure nothing is missing or needs amending
Set all your social media profiles to public before the interview
On the day:
Arrive at least 30 minutes early. There can be long lines
Head to the main entrance. Your bags will be scanned by security and embassy staff will direct you from there
The appointment has several stages and can take 1 to 3 hours in total
Part 1: Interview. A consular officer will ask you questions about your placement (where you are going, which state, your role at camp), your current education or employment status, how you plan to fund your trip, and your plans after your placement. Make sure you know the name and location of your camp, your role, and your visa sponsor. You may also be asked about the Wilberforce Act and your rights when working in the United States, so familiarize yourself with this before your appointment.
Part 2: Social media vetting. The consular officer will ask you to confirm that you have disclosed all your social media accounts on your DS-160 and that your profiles are set to public.
After the interview: If your visa is approved, the embassy will keep your passport and will usually give you a letter stating your visa is pending additional administrative processing for social media vetting. This is a standard part of the process and not a cause for concern.
If your visa is refused for any other reason, contact Camp Leaders immediately.
Will I receive my visa in my passport on the day?
No. Your visa will be placed on a page in your passport. To do this, the US Embassy or Consulate will need to keep your passport for a number of days. Do not be alarmed when they keep your passport. This is normal.
If you are flying to your visa appointment, make sure you have an alternative form of identification suitable for your flight home.
How will I get my passport back?
Your passport will be returned via courier. You will have selected the delivery or collection location when booking your appointment. If you need to check the location, log in to your embassy account and review the delivery details.
Courier delivery to a home or business address is available for an extra fee. You will have the option to upgrade to home or business delivery at the end of the embassy appointment booking process.
What do I need to collect my passport?
Bring a form of photo identification. If you do not have any alternative identification, you can appoint someone else to collect your passport on your behalf. They will need to bring their own photo identification.
How long does it take to get my passport back?
The US Embassy advises it can take up to 10 working days. In some cases, it can take longer. Give yourself plenty of time before you plan to fly.
Will I find out the result on the day?
Yes. The consular officer will inform you of your visa application outcome at the end of your appointment.
In most cases, your visa will be approved pending standard social media vetting (administrative processing).
If your visa is refused and you are told it requires additional administrative processing beyond the standard social media vetting, contact Camp Leaders immediately.
How do I track my visa application status?
You can check the status of your visa application through the embassy tracking system. Full instructions for tracking your application are in the visa section of your Camp Leaders profile. The tracker will show your current application status.