An In-Person Appointment is an appointment that requires the physical presence of the applicant during certain passport or visa procedures. It is a formal stage of the process designed for direct verification of personal data and submitted documents. Unlike online or mail-based steps, it requires showing up at a designated place and time.
Such appointments are usually held at official institutions such as embassies, consulates, or passport offices. In some cases, attendance is mandatory regardless of age, for example when applying for a passport for a child.
Purpose of the appointment
The primary purpose of an in-person appointment is to verify the applicant’s identity and ensure the authenticity of the submitted documents. The meeting allows officials to conduct a detailed review and ask additional questions as part of the visa or passport process. This significantly reduces the risk of fraud and forgery.
It is also an opportunity to collect biometric data such as fingerprints or photographs, which are crucial for the security of the immigration and passport system. In practice, a decision to issue a document is usually made only after identity has been confirmed in person. Additionally, such appointments help clarify any inconsistencies in the application.
Examples of situations requiring an in-person appointment
An in-person appointment may be required in various situations, including:
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consular interviews – a standard step in applying for a U.S. visa,
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Application Acceptance Facility visits – where passport applications are submitted in the United States,
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biometric data collection – such as fingerprints and photographs for visa procedures.
In all these cases, the applicant’s physical presence is necessary for the process to be valid and complete. These appointments follow a set schedule and require prior registration. Lack of preparation, such as missing documents, may result in the need to reschedule.
Consequences of not attending
Failure to attend a scheduled in-person appointment usually results in the suspension or denial of the application. The process cannot continue if the applicant’s identity has not been directly verified. This may lead to significant delays or the need to resubmit documents.
In some cases, missing an appointment means having to register again for a new slot or even pay additional fees. Repeated absences may also negatively affect how officials assess the applicant. For this reason, it is crucial to follow the scheduled date and instructions carefully.
Summary
An In-Person Appointment is a key stage of many visa and passport procedures that cannot be skipped. Its purpose is to protect the integrity of the system and ensure that documents are issued only to eligible applicants. Through direct verification, officials can confirm document authenticity and conduct additional checks.
Without attending an in-person appointment, the application is generally not processed, underlining the importance of this mandatory step. It is also an opportunity for applicants to receive additional guidance from officials. Thus, an in-person appointment serves both a control function and an informational function.
👉 If you are preparing a passport or visa application, make sure you are ready for your In-Person Appointment. Use our online form at uspassportapplicationonline.com to complete your documents correctly and avoid delays in the process.
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* The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The content has been prepared based on publicly available information, including the U.S. Department of State website and other thematic sources, and is intended to clarify selected issues and assist individuals interested in the process of applying for documents, including passports and visas.