Parents planning to travel to the United States during the Christmas season are reminded that visa requirements for minors have changed. According to information from the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, all nonimmigrant visa applicants must now attend an interview with a consular officer, regardless of age. The only exception is for adults whose B1/B2 tourist visas are still valid or expired less than 12 months ago.
The application process for a U.S. visa begins with completing the DS-160 form online at https://ais.usvisa-info.com. The embassy warns applicants not to use internet searches such as “how to get a U.S. visa” because unofficial vendor websites may appear legitimate by using images like the U.S. flag or Statue of Liberty but often request personal and credit card information under false pretenses. These sites may claim to offer expedited processing or guaranteed issuance of visas, but such claims are not true. Official appointments and expedite requests can only be made through the Department of State’s website.
Applicants are advised to start the process at least three months before their planned travel date and ensure that all questions on the DS-160 form reflect the child’s details, not those of a parent or guardian. For example, if asked about occupation, responses should be “student” or “none,” as appropriate for the child.
Biographic information must match exactly what appears on the child’s passport. After submitting the DS-160 form online, applicants should print out the confirmation page—also known as the barcode page—as it will be required in hard copy on interview day.
Following completion of this step, families must register for an interview by creating an account on https://ais.usvisa-info.com.
While it is not necessary to use an agent or facilitator for this process, those who do so should review all information before submission since parents remain responsible for any data provided in their child’s application.
On interview day, one parent or legal guardian must accompany any minor applicant under 18 years old.
Required documents include:
- The DS-160 confirmation form.
- The child’s valid passport plus any older passports containing previous visas.
- One recent passport-size photo with a white background (no more than six months old), showing the child facing forward without spectacles.
- The updated polymer version of the child’s birth certificate.
Parents should also bring their own passports with valid visas if available and provide any other relevant information regarding their planned trip.
For applicants who are neurodiverse, elderly, have mobility challenges, or require wheelchair access, a Quiet Monday accommodation is offered by request at least three working days prior to a regular appointment time.
Additional guidance and case-specific inquiries can be submitted via www.tt.usembassy.gov/visas using the Consular Navigator tool.