E3 visas by mail is a relatively new initiative and can make your life easier, not requiring an interview in person to get the stamp in your passport. In order to qualify for an application by mail you do need to meet a number of requirements.
For more information, head over to our updated article about E3 Visa Interview Waiver.
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Hey Josh.
Great content and thanks.
Myself and my wife a doing a mail in for E3. She got her new passport couple of weeks ago after we did the whole application process. Her DS160 has the old passport number and I believe there is no way to change it. Do we include both her passports in the mail in ?
Do you need to include passport photos for e3 mail in?
Hey Josh, great resource as always. the attached checklist does not mention E3 – is it the same process for the in country E3 mail in renewal?
Hi Joe,
My wife and kids need to review their E3-D visas. Do you know if you can post their passports back to a relatives and stay in the US, OR do they need to be in the country to post them? It says even through you are mailing it, you need to be doing so in Australia.
How would they know either way?
I am sure many would have the same question/s..
Thank you!
They need to be in the country to post—you can’t post, especially from inside the US. For starters, lying on the application is against the law, but secondly, your status only activates on entry.
Hi Josh,
Is the mail-in/interview waiver still program still running? The coversheet pdf you have linked on this page does not mention the E3.
Thanks!
Thanks Josh where is the attached cover sheet.
Hey 🙂 thanks for the great resources!
I am travelling to Australia to renew my E3 visa and looking at the mail in option. My wife who is on the E3S cannot make it back to Australia when I am wanting to renew, can I mail in her visa at the same time I do mine and collect both to bring back to USA?
Thanks!
Alex
Hi Josh, how do I request an expedited mail in? I only have 9 working days in Sydney for my renewal and it won’t let me book an appointment since I think I qualify for a mail in. Work haven’t been helpful.
Hey Tess, good question, I don’t actually think there is an expedited mail-in option!
Hi Josh, for supporting documents for dependents (marriage certificate, birth certificate), do you know if you have to send originals or are scanned copies fine?
Do you know if you can book an appointment as a backup in case they reject your mail in request? Thanks.
Originals are always best! When you try to book the appointment, it will tell you whether they will allow you to book an appointment but you can’t do both.
Hi Josh. We are doing a mail in renewal for our E3. Do you know if we need to include our marriage certificate again? It isn’t mentioned on the checklist.
Also, 30 days to process seems extremely long for someone to spend in Australia. Is there any further information on this?
I wouldn’t think it would hurt to include again! Yeah it can take UP to 30 days, in many cases it’s faster but there’s no guarantee.
Hey Josh!
Quick question – I’m currently on the E-3 visa and my husband is on the E-3D, we want to swap it over so I’m on the E-3D and he’s on the E-3 visa now that it’s coming up renewal. Would this be considered just a change in status and can we just do this via mail as above considering we’ve been issued a visa in the category?
Thank you kindly!
Lucy
Great question and I don’t know for sure but yes, I think so! The form will tell you when you apply.