The Group Appointment Program makes it easier to process B1/B2 visa applications (and occasionally, other visa types) for members of recognized groups whose members have the same itinerary to travel to and from the Untied States.

To be able to participate in the Group Appointment Program, your group must have a minimum of 10 people. All the applicants must be officially registered with the organization the group is a member of. All groups should have the goal of providing an educational experience for their members or to be traveling for a sport or cultural presentation, etc.

Excursion groups organized by travel agencies are not eligible to participate in this program.

Procedure:

• Groups that desire to participate in the Group Appointment Program need to send us an e-mail at montevideovisas@state.gov, at least 45 days before the proposed date of the trip, requesting an appointment for the group and including the following data: a list of the participants (including their complete names, date of birth, and the cedula de identidad or other identification document), the purpose of the trip, departure and arrival dates, and a brief description of the organization. The Consular Section will then decide if your group qualifies for the program and will answer your e-mail shortly.

• If the Consular Section approves your participation in the program; we will contact the group coordinator and give him/her the instructions on how to proceed.

Each applicant needs to present individually a letter from the organization, written on letterhead (name, address and telephone) and signed by the person in charge of the group. The letter should explain the purpose of the trip to the United States, the travel itinerary, and a list of the names and dates of birth for every member of the group.

Specific documentation: Ex: Documentation which shows the purpose of the group trip, if the group is going to a sporting competition, please bring an invitation to the visa interview, etc.

It is very important that the e-mail includes a telephone number in which we can contact the person in charge of the group.

All documentation must be brought to the Consular Section the day before your interview between 9:00 -11:00 or 14:00 -16:00. Every member of the group has to be physically present in the Consular Section on the day of the interview at the arranged time and must bring their identity cards (cédulas de identidad). Please remember to bring your identity card or you will not be able to enter the Embassy.