Embassy of the United States
Nonimmigrant Visa Unit/Immigrant Visa Unit
P.O.Box
3001 Bern
Switzerland
Working Hours:
14-17.30
Best Contact Method:
Email (takes 1-2 days for reply)
It is almost impossible to reach them by phone. On the regular phone number is a tape recorded saying you should email. The 0900 number is not for the K1 Visa.
Approx Waiting Time for Interview After Consulate Recieves
NVC Package:
2 months
Issues Packet 3?
Packet 3 Contains:
Checklist
Medical examination Instructions
Instr. for a Swiss police certificate
Instr. for Affadavit of Support
Instr. for Visa Payment
Instr. for US visa photos
Issues Packet 4?
Yes
Packet 4 Contents (if known):
Interview date
Forms to Consulate?
Copy of DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
Checklist (You obtain all the things asked for, check and sign the checklist and send it back. After this the interview date is being sent to you.)
Other Forms (if any)?
Direct Consular Filing Offered?
Yes
If DCF Allowed: For all or only US citizen lawfully resident in country?
Residents_Only
Can fiance(e)/spouse attend interview?
Yes
Visa fee payment "same day" or "in advance"?
Advance
Did embassy schedule interview or could you walk-in?
Embassy Scheduled
Visa issued same day?
No
If not what's the waiting period?
visa pick up window: following week
delivery by mail: about 1 week or more
Is the Medical exam same day as interview?
Prior to Interview
Cost of Medical Exam?
560.- fr Basel, 690.- fr Zurich, 600.- fr Bern
Plus immunisation or admin fees and told to budget for SFr 700.00 to be paid on day of medical. Vaccines cost around 40-80 CHF each.
Some immunisation costs are reclaimable from health care providers.
List of doctors?
DOCTORS - AERZTE - MEDECINS - MEDICI
Make appointments by telephone - auf telephonische Vereinbarung - par rendez-vous telephonique - fanno appuntamenti per telefono!
Bern:
Dr. G. Kaczala
Medbase Bern Bahnhof
Parkterrasse 10
3012 Bern
Tel. +41 31 335 50 00
How many Passport Photo's Required for the medical?
4
How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview?
2
Estimated waiting time at the consulate on the day of interview?
1-1,5 hours
They appoint you a time where you have to bring all your documents... and then you usually have wait for the visa interview.
Vaccination requirements?
MMR (Mumps, Measel and Rubella) Tetanus Diphteria and Pertussis (TDaP) Varicella (chicken pox)
Cheap and good hotels near the Consulate?
Come on, Switzerland is tiny! Switzerland would hate to be known as being cheap. Everyone is within 3 hours train or car travel time to the Embassy.
Additional Info?
There are not many people going through this embassy. Hence it's very efficient. Don't be surprised if they remember your email from 6 months ago!!!
very friendly people, dont ask a lot of questions or need a lot of proof.. at least in my case...
When you take your Medical make sure that the doctor gives you a copy of all the information you have to take to the Embassy especially the completed DS-3025 which will be required for filing AOS for a K-1. It is highly likely that you need these copies later on in the visa process.