Getting a U.S. Visa in Barbados 2023

Interviewer said printing & passport return was taking 7 business days but it only took 3 days.
- Darryn (about 1 year ago)

Loved the visa experience in Barbados. I booked mid march for a May appointment, there was lots of availability when I booked. I arrived in Bridgetown on the Monday for a Tuesday 8am appointment. My taxi driver from the airport ended up being my driver for the whole trip, this seems like a very normal thing to happen here. I got to the consulate around 7:45, there was a line but it all moved pretty quickly. They will hold any small electronics for you and give you a tag to retrieve them as you exit. They are not super used to E3s so they used a checklist to ask me questions but didn't ask to see any of my supporting documentation. I was out of the embassy by 8:30. There is no wifi in the surrounding area outside the embassy so I had to ask someone to call my driver. They have a white sheet of paper now that seems to have the correct details for collecting your passport. Later on Tuesday evening I checked my status and it had changed to issued. Thursday morning I still hadn't received a tracking number so I decided to just go to DHL and check. They said they didn't have my passport. Later that night I got my tracking number and after I looked at the details it seemed as though my passport was there... I probably should have waited to check in the afternoon. The DHL line is the most waiting you will do, bring a book and some water. Friday morning I picked up my passport and I am flying back to NYC on Saturday. As for Barbados, I am a young woman, heavily tattooed, and what I believe to be obviously gay. I got a lot of male attention. An uncomfortable amount. I couldn't have a quiet drink without a man coming up to me. That being said I would totally come back just maybe with a friend. It would have been nice to have an ally.
- Lauren (about 7 months ago)

8am appointment on Tuesday, everyone from 7:45am to 8:15am let in at once around 7:45am. I got close to the front and was out via 8:15am. Efficient process - case officer only asked to briefly see the letter from my employer and some pay stubs. Status changed to approve immediately, then changed to issued the following day. Didn’t get a tracking number so just turned up at 3pm at the DHL. The older woman was turning people away without a tracking number but I made sure I was served by the younger lady and she went to check when I showed her my ID. It was there and I picked it up. The actual tracking email arrived after that at 11pm in the evening. Would definitely recommend Barbados. Only bad part is the queue at the DHL.
- Dave (about 6 months ago)

Great experience at the Embassy. Overall took about 2.5 hours start to finish. Recommend arriving at least 30 mins early as they'll take you in with earlier groups. Only had to show my LCA and job offer letter. Status changed to approved immediately. Passport took a little longer to come back as the Embassy shut for a few days due to the island being on a hurricane alert. Pick-up at DHL was quick (15 mins), recommend going in the morning. Echoing a comment below, if travelling as a solo female you will get a lot of unwanted attention from local men. It is safe during the day but be more aware of yourself at night and get a bus/taxi back to your accommodation.
- Lauren (about 6 months ago)

I was getting an E3-D (spouse) visa done. I had an 8:30am appointment on Monday - they take you in batches according to appointment time. When I went there was only a small shade and chairs that was full so I recommend wearing a hat and bringing water because you may be in the sun for 45 mins. Their process was kind of slow honestly - after you get brought in you wait in a line for someone to check you in and you put your items in a locker, then you wait in a line to go through security and into a waiting room. Then another waiting room, a short line to do a basic check, then another line to do the actual 'interview'. The interview was very quick - maybe because I was getting a spouse visa so just asked to see my spouse's visa, LCA and marriage certificate. Process all up took about 2 hours - honestly I think I've had better experiences in Sydney. It switched to Approved almost immediately however it didn't switch to Issued until Friday afternoon. I did not get a tracking link but thought I would take my chance at DHL on the Monday since I was due to fly out on Wed. I do not recommend this - I waited at DHL for 1 hr only to be told they did not have my passport and to wait for the tracking link. They did give me the number and extension to call the DHL to ask in advance so I would say to call them first if you haven't received a tracking link. I ended up extending my trip because they still didn't have it the day before my flight. Ended up getting a tracking link on Tuesday night (8 days after my interview). I think I would have been more comfortable booking 2 weeks. All in all I enjoyed my trip to Barbados - there are worse places to be stuck - but I'm not sure I would go again to do my visa. As people have mentioned, you will get attention as a woman traveling alone but I never felt unsafe and everyone was really friendly.
- Melissa (about 5 months ago)

- Appointments were available 3 days in advance - Google Maps locations are incorrect (US Embassy location will take you to the back of the building, DHL location is a few houses down the road) - Get to your appointment 1+ hours early, wear sunscreen, bring a hat + water + book - Make sure you bring a physical passport photo with your hair tucked behind your ears - You should budget to stay ~10 days just in case it takes a bit longer to get your visa back. Barbados is beautiful and there's no major time difference, book a place with A/C and enjoy the amazing beaches + food 🙂 - Be prepared for them to ask you about any direct family members you have in the US, what their immigration status is, how they moved to the US - When you go to DHL to pick up your passport, also go as early as possible to avoid waiting in line and bring a hat + water
- Jacquie (about 3 months ago)

This is my second time coming to Bridgetown, and it was just as good as the first. This time the wait time between the interview and getting my passport back was considerably longer, but I have a feeling it was because of the time of year. it took about 8 business days, so plan to stay here for the entire required wait time. Be ready to be hot, they do their best to keep you in the shade, but sometimes there are just too many people. It helps to show up very early to your appointment as they take in big amounts of people at once. Once you get inside it's very organized considering how many people there were. You'll line up 3 times, once to go inside, once to get fingerprinted and the last to do your interview. Got my passport back very easily at the DHL, this is very simple as they have a special line for ppl picking up visas.
- Paz (about 3 months ago)

Monday 25SEP2023: Visa appointment was at 8:15am. Drove to the Embassy and a lot of parking available at the bottom of the hill. Arrived at the Embassy at 7:50am and was allowed to enter at 8:00am. Was asked 2 questions only: 1. Is this a new visa or a renewal? 2. What will you be doing for the employer? Was advised my visa was tentatively approved and left the Embassy at 9:30am. Tuesday 26SEP2023: Visa status changed from Approved to Issued. Wednesday 27SEP2023: 5:03pm: Received document shipment notice email with tracking number. Thursday 28SEP2023: 12:01pm: Received document ready for pickup at DHL email. 2:30pm: Went to DHL to pick up my passport. Got my passport back by 3:00pm.
- May (about 2 months ago)

I had a great experience at the Bridgetown location, my appointment was for a Tuesday at 7.45am, I arrived shortly before and there was already a long line. Near the entrance, a person checked my documents and passport photos and then pushed me up the line a bit given my early appointment. The longest part of the process was just moving through the various lines, there were a bunch of people applying for visitors visa etc, so was a fairly full house. My interview lasted all of 2 minutes, I was asked for my LCA and also asked how long I had been with the employer for (it was a new role) and what my role would be at my new job. It was approved and I was on my way, whole process took about 2 hours. I received notification the next day (Wednesday) that the visa had been processed and received a message to pick up my passport Friday. Highly recommend Bridgetown and Barbados, lovely locals and a great place to relax!
- Olivia (about 2 months ago)