US Embassy Outlines Emergency Visa Interview Process for Ghanaians, Warns Slots Are Limited

The United States Embassy in Accra has outlined the procedure for nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking an earlier interview because of an unexpected emergency, urging them to follow the required steps and provide evidence to support their requests—while cautioning that expedited slots are limited and do not guarantee an interview before their intended travel date.

The provision is intended for people whose circumstances may require urgent travel to the United States, including those seeking emergency medical attention or travelling to attend the funeral of a family member, according to an embassy update issued on Friday . The guidance also identifies urgent, unforeseen business needs as a possible basis for consideration .

A Two-Step Process

Applicants must first complete the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form, known as the DS-160, pay the applicable visa fee, and book the earliest available regular interview through the official appointment portal, usvisaappt.com. Only after completing these requirements can they ask the Consular Section to consider an emergency appointment .

To submit a request, applicants must sign in to their account on the appointment portal, go to “My Dashboard,” and select “Create Emergency Request.” They are then required to complete an Emergency Request Form, explaining the nature of the emergency, the intended travel date, and why an earlier interview is necessary . Supporting documents must also be uploaded to substantiate the claim—these may include relevant medical records or correspondence, depending on the nature of the emergency.

The Embassy stressed the importance of providing a clear and detailed explanation, together with credible documentation, to enable consular officials to assess the circumstances .

An applicant whose request is approved will receive an email notification and must return to the appointment portal to select a new interview date and time from the available slots. Those whose requests are declined will also be notified by email but will retain their original interview appointments .

What Does Not Qualify

The US Department of State’s general guidance on nonimmigrant visas makes clear that expedited appointments are considered for urgent and unforeseen circumstances, including medical emergencies, funerals, and certain school start dates. Applicants must provide evidence of their need for an earlier interview .

It also cautions that requests to travel for weddings, graduation ceremonies, last-minute tourism, or annual business and professional conferences do not ordinarily meet the emergency criteria. Applicants travelling for such purposes are advised to apply through the regular process well ahead of their intended departure.

Even where an expedited appointment is granted, applicants must still satisfy all the requirements for the visa category for which they are applying. The decision to issue or refuse a visa is made separately by a consular officer after the application has been assessed .

A Shifting Visa Landscape

The guidance comes amid significant changes to the US visa process for Ghanaian applicants. Since September 2025, the State Department has required in-person interviews for nearly all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including Ghanaian nationals, eliminating most interview waiver options that had been available during the pandemic era . That policy shift has contributed to longer wait times and heightened demand for appointment slots.

More recently, however, the Embassy has made efforts to reduce backlogs. In February 2026, it opened more than 1,000 additional B1/B2 interview slots, and by March, wait times for visitor visa appointments had dropped to approximately one week—down from 15 months in 2024—as the Embassy hired temporary staff ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup .

Applicants are advised to review the Embassy’s security instructions and list of prohibited items before attending their interviews. Once passports or other documents are ready for release, applicants will be notified and given instructions on how to register for collection. The Embassy does not permit applicants to collect their passports or documents personally from its premises .