The Consular section provides a number of American Citizen Services, including routine assistance, such as registration, issuance of passports and reports of births abroad, as well as assistance in case of emergencies. The Consular Section issues non-immigrant visas for Swazis who wish to visit the U.S. Immigrant visas are NOT issued in Mbabane; persons resident in Swaziland who have questions regarding immigrant visas should approach the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Consular Section registers all American citizens in Swaziland, upon their application. Registrants are assigned to a zone and American citizen warden, so that they can be easily and quickly contacted by the Embassy in case of emergency or, on the positive side, a major American community event. To register, please come to the U.S. Embassy in person during Consular hours, Mondays and Thursday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, and bring your U.S. passport with you.
The Consular Section issues limited passports in emergency cases, renews, and amends passports, and can add pages to non-expired passports which have become completely full. Applications for the above can be obtained at the Embassy. Passport applications require proof of identity, proof of U.S. citizenship, two photos 2x2 inchies or 5x5 cm in size, and a fee of $55 for renewals, payable in Emalangeni, with a $20 surcharge for adults who cannot submit a previous passport). Adult passports are valid for ten years; child (up to 16 years old) passports, for five. LOST OR STOLEN U.S. PASSPORTS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE CONSULAR SECTION IMMEDIATELY.
For U.S. citizens born in Swaziland, the Consular Section can issue a Report of Birth Abroad and can assist in applying for a Social Security Number (up to age 18). (NOTE: Children born in South Africa will need to go through the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg, telephone 0711-644 -8000). The U.S. parent will need identification, an application form (available from the Embassy), proof of the parent(s)’s U.S. citizenship, the local birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), and a $40 fee (payable in emalangeni).
Non-Citizen Visas
The Consular Section can provide notarial services required for U.S. citizens, or for non-citizens for business in those states which recognize notarials. Services include notarization, acknowledgments, and certifications of true copies. The fee is customarily $30 per notarization, and $20 for each additional notarization, acknowledgment, or certification (payable in emalangeni), although this fee is waived for certain documents required by the U.S. Federal Government (i.e. IRS forms).
The Consular Section can help American citizens in the United States locate missing Amcit relatives in Swaziland, pass emergency messages to Americans travelling abroad, and assist American citizens in the case of arrest, destitution, illness or death. Federal tax forms, federal and state election information, assistance with federal benefits as well as lists of local attorneys and medical practitioners all are available from the Consular Section. The Consul can advise about acquisition or loss of U.S. nationality. And the Consular Section maintains the listing of worldwide Consular Information Sheets, including travel advisories and warnings.
Visitors to the U.S. from most countries of the world, including Swaziland, need valid visas in their passports before they are allowed to travel. The United States has over 20 types of visas, ranging from pleasure or business travel, to study or work. It is important to be clear about the purpose of your travel to ensure that a proper visa is issued to avoid both embarrassment and inconvenience upon arrival and, more importantly, illegal entry -- or deportation.To apply, you will need:
A visa application (available at the U.S. Embassy)
One photograph
A non-refundable $100 application fee (payable in Emalangeni)
Proof of residence in and reason to return to Swaziland,
Sufficient resources to cover your intended stay in the U.S.
Some visa categories require additional forms. Depending upon nationality and type of visa, an additional fee may be required if the visa is issued. Citizens of a very small number of countries, under very specific circumstances, are not required to have visas under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program.
Immigrant visas
Immigrant visas are for those who would like to obtain permanent resident status in the United States. Petitions are usually filed by close relatives or employers in the United States. Once a year (around November), there is a separate Diversity Visa lottery not requiring relative or employer involvement. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) handles initial applications and then forwards applications to overseas posts for final processing. Some categories of immigrant visas are numerically controlled with a waiting period of several years. Even non-controlled immigrant visas can take six months to process. Medical examinations are required as part of the process. The U.S. Embassy in Mbabane does not process Immigrant Visas but does have some basic information on the application process. Immigrant Visas for those resident in Swaziland, as well as detailed questions, are normally handled by the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg (telephone 0711-644-8000).
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