Is there expedited process for visa to U.S. for visitors?
 

I searched US government sites on visas for visitors and couldn't find anything about this, sorry if this isn't the best forum...

My father, who lives in the US was recently diagnosed with stage 3 multiple myeloma. My brother is a citizen and resident of Israel and we want to get him to the US to visit our dad ASAP as we don't know how much time he has.

According to http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wa...itors_wait.php the wait in TLV for an interview to get a visa is about two months. This is for all "visitor" visas (non-student, non-business, those are only two week wait).

I couldn't find any provisions for situations such as this, does anyone know of any? Should he just fill out a regular visitor application and hope that it's not too late by the time he gets his visa (there is also an issue of getting him a ticket which we can't do till we know he has his visa).

You will need to book an appointment with US Consulate first and then fax US Consulate your reason for an expedited appointment (with your initial appointment number, passport number, contact, etc). Someone from the Consulate will call you to confirm in 24 or 48 hours and give you an appointment for visa ASAP.

In May, I managed to get my visa in 2 days from the Consulate in Toronto.

Condolences on your father and I hope that your brother gets his visa soon

The wait time for getting an appointment will be dependent on how busy the US embassy is in your home country. And they do expedite applications for medical reasons. Good luck!

:td:of course, in today's "Merka" they will wonder why you come from the counrty you do and that may be your crime in itself. I'd actually say--as totally crazy as it may sound- that the best bet it to fly your father (condolences to him, btw) and everyone else involved to someplace far more friendly like Iceland or a country in northern mainland Europe.

On the other hand, should you be good at dealing with large beurocracy and policy minded personnel, you may get through and be able to find the skinny door of possibility to pass through in your particular instance. There will be no secret way in, pay off, scheme or corruption (that only happens at the very top now) but there's always a way to shave a little time off such processes should you know how to work the ropes of the many often conflicting laws here. Once you do you'd be an expert but then they will change for the next guy. (I've had experience with Visas for "aliens")

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT ever pay an immigration lawyer for anything.

good luck!
:)MM