🇺🇸 US Embassy London: Visa, Services & Appointments Guide

Address: 33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US

Telephone: +44 20 7499 9000

Emergency (US Citizens): +44 20 7499 9000 (press 0 for operator)

Nearest Tube: Nine Elms (Northern Line extension) or Vauxhall

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (consular services by appointment)

The Embassy of the United States in London is one of the largest American diplomatic missions in the world. Located in the Nine Elms development in south London since 2018, the embassy handles visa applications, American citizen services, passport matters, and emergency consular assistance. The impressive cube-shaped building on the south bank of the Thames replaced the former embassy in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, which had been the US diplomatic home in London since 1938.

The embassy serves as the primary point of contact for anyone in the United Kingdom seeking to travel to, work in, or immigrate to the United States. It also provides a wide range of services to American citizens living in or visiting the UK, including passport renewals, notarial services, and emergency assistance.

US Visa Types Available

Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Travel)

B1/B2 (Tourist & Business): For tourism, visiting family, attending conferences, or conducting business meetings. Typically issued for 10 years with multiple entries. Most UK citizens do not need this visa and can use the ESTA/Visa Waiver Program instead.
F1 (Student): For full-time academic study at an accredited US institution. Requires an I-20 form from the school. Allows limited on-campus employment. Can be valid for the duration of your study programme plus 60 days.
J1 (Exchange Visitor): For approved exchange programmes including internships, au pair, research, and teaching. Requires a DS-2019 form from the programme sponsor. Subject to a two-year home residency requirement in some cases.
H1B (Specialty Worker): For workers in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Employer must sponsor and file a petition with USCIS. Subject to annual caps with a lottery system.
L1 (Intra-Company Transfer): For managers, executives, or workers with specialised knowledge transferring within the same company to a US office. Requires the employee to have worked for the company for at least one year.
O1 (Extraordinary Ability): For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Requires substantial evidence of achievements and recognition in the field.

Immigrant Visas

K1 (Fiance/Fiancee): For the foreign-citizen fiance(e) of a US citizen to enter the US to marry. Must marry within 90 days of entry. Requires an approved I-129F petition.
IR/CR (Immediate Relative): For spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of US citizens. No annual numerical limits.
EB (Employment-Based): For workers with job offers or extraordinary abilities. Five preference categories with varying requirements and wait times.
DV (Diversity Visa): The annual lottery programme making up to 55,000 immigrant visas available to people from countries with historically low immigration rates to the US.

Booking a Visa Appointment

All visa appointments at the US Embassy London must be booked through the official appointment system. The process involves several steps:

Complete the DS-160 form online at ceac.state.gov. This is the standard nonimmigrant visa application form. Save your confirmation page and barcode number.
Create an account at ustraveldocs.com/gb and log in to schedule your appointment.
Pay the visa application fee (MRV fee). The fee for most nonimmigrant visas is $185 (approximately 145 GBP). Some visa categories have different fees. Payment can be made online or at designated bank branches.
Schedule your appointment. You will need your DS-160 confirmation number, passport number, and MRV fee receipt number. Choose your preferred date and time.
Attend your appointment at the embassy on the scheduled date. Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment confirmation, photograph, and any supporting documents.

Important: Most UK and Irish passport holders do not need a visa to visit the United States for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. Instead, apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) at least 72 hours before travel. The ESTA costs $21 and is valid for two years. You will need a visa if you have been denied an ESTA, have certain criminal convictions, or plan to work or study in the US.

American Citizen Services

The US Embassy provides a range of services to American citizens living in or visiting the United Kingdom:

Passport services: New passports, renewals, name changes, and additional visa pages. Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks for routine applications. Expedited service may be available for emergency travel.
Notarial services: Notarisation of documents, affidavits, and other legal documents for use in the US. Appointments are required.
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad: Registering the birth of a child born abroad to a US citizen parent.
Federal benefits: Assistance with Social Security, veterans affairs, and other federal benefit programmes.
Voting: Information on registering to vote and requesting absentee ballots for US elections.

Emergency Services

If you are an American citizen in the UK and experience an emergency, the embassy can help in several ways. For after-hours emergencies, call +44 20 7499 9000 and follow the prompts for the duty officer. Emergency services include assistance if you are arrested or detained, help contacting family in an emergency, guidance if you are a victim of crime, and emergency passport issuance for urgent travel.

The embassy cannot pay your legal fees, get you out of jail, act as a lawyer, or override UK law. They can, however, provide lists of local solicitors, visit you in detention, and ensure you are treated fairly under local laws.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Embassy

Arrive early: Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. Late arrivals may need to reschedule.
Security screening: All visitors go through airport-style security. This can take 15-30 minutes during busy periods.
No electronics: Mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and smart watches are not permitted inside the embassy. There is no storage facility, so leave them at home or in your car if possible.
Bring documentation: Have all required documents organised and ready. Missing documents can result in delays or denial.
Transport: Nine Elms station on the Northern Line extension is the closest Tube stop. Vauxhall (Victoria and Northern lines) is a 15-minute walk. Limited parking is available nearby.
Photography: Photography is not permitted inside or in the immediate vicinity of the embassy building.