Flag

An official website of the United States government

Travel Advisory Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory Level 2: Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Read More...
Security at the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General
U.S. Visas

What can you bring?

No weapons, no explosives, no sharp items, no flashlights/torches, longer than 6"/16cm, no luggage and large bags, no animals other than service animals, no motorcycle helmets, no laptops, no glass bottles
Prohibited items

Embassy security procedures require that all visitors receive a security inspection. You will be allowed to check one cell phone at the Embassy gate. The US Embassy and the Embassy guards are not liable for any loss or damage to your cell phone while it is checked.

You will NOT be allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy for your appointment carrying any of the following items:

  • Any other battery-operated or electronic devices such as laptops, Ipads, computer tablets, digital diaries, cameras, MP3 players, or portable music players.
  • Any oversize shoulder bags or purses.
  • Any oversize handbags and travel bags, large back-packs, briefcases, or suitcases. Applicants can only carry in clear bags containing papers needed for their appointment
  • Sealed envelopes or packages.
  • Cigarettes/cigars/match boxes/lighters.
  • Any sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail files.
  • Weapons or explosive materials of any kind.

The list provided above is not exhaustive. Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of security staff. Other than the one allowed cell phone, the US Embassy will not accept the storage of any of the above prohibited items.

Only visa applicants with confirmed appointments will be granted access to the Embassy. Accompanying persons may be required to wait outside the Embassy entrance.

If you fail to follow these security requirements you may face delays or cancellations to your visit.

Who can accompany me to the visa interview?

In general, only visa applicants with scheduled appointments are allowed to enter the Consular Section. Only one parent may accompany their children (i.e. under 18 yrs of age) to visa interviews, but for caregivers and/or translators-those requests must be approved by the consular section ahead of time.