US Consulate Sydney NSW, Australia Reviews 2024

Appointment was not cancelled, but when I turned up they told me they weren’t taking any appointments due to construction (which was visible behind the security door). They would not reschedule my appointment to the next available time but instead ask me to do it myself which meant a 5+ month wait if done in Australia. I’ve only been to the Sydney consulate twice and both times were terrible experiences.
- Adam (about 2 years ago)

The hardest part of the process was actually getting the visa appointment - otherwise the process was super simple, including a 2 minute interview (so fast)! Also I had an email 24 hours later that I could pick up my passport - if it wasn't a weekend, you'd have it back 2 days after your appointment. Highly recommend
- Holly (about 2 years ago)

I had my appointment on Monday morning, by late Tuesday afternoon I received an email saying my passport was ready to collect. Collected it on the Wednesday morning. The interview itself went for less than five minutes. Very easy process overall.
- (about 2 years ago)

1) Note that the Embassy had recently moved and the some paperwork (and google maps) still refers to the Martin Place location. The new location is in North Sydney. 2) Also, a third party sent me the notification that my Visa was ready for collection (after 10 days) although I had selected mail as my option. The email came from an individual using email address [email protected] asking me to pay the delivery fee at a link (the link was incorrect the first time). Definitely felt scammy, but the passport did eventually arrive (albeit 4 days later).
- Kate (about 2 years ago)

No more prepaid Express Post Satchel. You will be emailed with instructions on where/how to pick up your passport when it's ready. They provide a delivery option for an additional cost. Do not bring large electronics as they may not fit in the lockers provided and you can't take them in with you. At the interview provide what they ask for, no more, no less. The interviewer will get testy if you start giving them your story.
- Alex (about 2 years ago)

March 2023. Smooth. Got the email the next day after my appt. Ready for pickup the day after that. Most annoying part is the queue outside north syd loc. The guards are not announcing what interview time they are up to and if you’re lined up down the street you basically can’t hear at all. The pickup spot is also a bit of a mess so I don’t recommend flying out on same day as pickup
- Chazza (about 1 year ago)

10+ days still awaiting E-3 Visa after being told it was approved and will be ready within a week. Haven't had any contact from the Consulate... I'll update length of time once actually received...
- Josh (about 1 year ago)

Overall a smooth experience and fast turnaround. The person at the counter when I handed over my paperwork informed me that I could have applied via mail rather than making an appointment. Which is helpful info for next time. He also said it would be a 7-10 day turnaround but I received the collection email after 2 days
- Beau (about 1 year ago)

It is okay to be a little late. There was a backlog. I was early but I still could not get in until everyone that was before my time (that arrived later) was called.
- Anonymous (about 1 year ago)

My E3 visa got approved on May 3rd in Sydney. Thanks all for your support. Appointment Timeline: 1. April 10th 2023- scheduled an appointment for June 2nd which was the earliest available. 2. kept checking for an earlier appointment availability, first rescheduled to May 17th and then again found an earlier date for May 3rd. 3. May 3rd- E3 visa approved *Questions at consulate:* 1. US employer offer letter 2. LCA 3. Questions on past visits 4. City of work Although I have a job offer, I may not go as the salary on offer is low when compared with Aus salaries. Let me know if you need any clarifications regarding the E3 visa process.
- Raj (about 12 months ago)

I was getting a new E3 as my employer changed but it was my 2nd E3
- Holly (about 1 year ago)

Very quick and smooth. Was advised 10 days but ended up being 2 days. I had an appointment on Monday so didn't have to worry about the weekend. Was moving from f1 to e3
- Anthony (about 11 months ago)

Appointment was on a Thursday at 9.45am, very straightforward (aside from not knowing you can't take laptops inside...my bad)... It was ready for collection the following day. I received the email saying it's ready for pickup at 12.05pm Friday. Unbelievably quick turnaround time. The man also told me that I should have just done mail-in as it would have been quicker and cheaper for me (instead of flying down from QLD for the appointment).... Hope this is helpful for anyone else contemplating in-person vs mail-in! I have also just decided to have my visa mailed to me so crossing my fingers it arrives this week (I had been planning to fly back down to Sydney to pick it up).
- Julia (about 8 months ago)

Wait time for booking appointment was only 3 weeks.
- JM (about 10 months ago)

My appointment was on Monday morning. When I got to the consulate there was a long line. But they call you in order of time so no need to worry. Just have to try and hear what times they are calling! The process inside was quick, just have your docs ready to hand over. I was told that my visa was approved at the end of my interview. I kept checking the status of my visa online. It went from “Approved” to “Issued” a week later on the Tuesday. I didn’t get the email to collect it until the next day. I chose to collect my passport myself which was in the city. That was very quick. Can only pick your passport up between 10am and 12pm but all flows very quickly.
- Jo (about 8 months ago)

Don’t bring a laptop! But if you do, the post office will hold it for $10.
- Amit (about 7 months ago)

I arrived at the Sydney Consulate at 7.45AM for an 8.15AM appointment on Monday. The interview was very basic, my visa was approved on the spot and I was out of the consulate at 8.45AM. Status showed as "Issued" on Tuesday and I was able to collect my Passport at 10am on Wednesday.
- Nina (about 7 months ago)

Sent in by mail on the Sep 26th, received at the US consulate on 29th. Approved on Oct 11 but am still waiting for my passport and it’s Oct 13. I don’t know if 2 public holidays (Aus Labour Day, US Columbus Day) played a factor.
- Reichelle (about 7 months ago)

Don't use mail-in. Auspost delivered passport on 4th of Oct. Passport spent a couple of days in security screening before status was "received" on the 6th. Today, 16th of Oct and still stuck in received. Emailed consulate and got boilerplate wait 15 days message.
- Kev (about 7 months ago)

Overall, the process was fast and smooth. My appointment was on Friday 20th October and my passport was ready for collection from Tuesday 24th October. The interview itself lasted only two minutes. They asked the following questions: What's the name of the company; what they do; how many years of experience I have in my field; if I have a degree; is it related (mine isn't, but I had a work/education combo equivalency which was sufficient). The only document they asked to see was the LCA.
- Anthony (about 6 months ago)

Got interview appointment within a week. Interview process was much simpler then we thought. Officer just saw LCA , asked Job title, saw degree and high five:) Got passport email on Monday for collection. Question: Do we need to book return tickets on E3 visa as its for two years duration? Donot want to face any sort of dramas at airport.
- Eddie (about 6 months ago)

My actual appointment was smooth and straight forward, my problem arose when it was ready to be issued back to me. I had selected and paid for the premium delivery option ($52) as I did not want to wait around in Sydney to pick up my passport. My actual passport was issued 2 days after my appt. A mistake was made and I was notified that my passport was ready for pickup, and I had to email to explain that I already paid for delivery and wasn’t in Sydney to do pick up. They replied to my email the next day and sent my passport that afternoon which took ~3 days to arrive.
- Alana (about 4 months ago)

Unbelievably seamless. Was my first E3, booked on Nov 30 for Dec 21st 10:45am which was the earliest available appointment. Got in line at 10:20am and there were about 5 people in front of me. I'm incredibly impressed with how easy the whole thing was. They call out your time slot, let you in, lead you to the check-in desk, the lady was super lovely - she gets all your docs from you and takes out exactly what you need and puts it in order. Quick security check, then waited about 15mins upstairs for the interview. The interview was literally less than 30 seconds - guy was super nice, just wanted offer letter + LCA, and all he asked was "what did you study at uni" and "have you been to the US before". Got approved on the spot. My appointment was on a Thursday and got the email the next Wednesday morning that it was ready to pick up. Too easy!
- Jimmy (about 4 months ago)

Initial appointment got rescheduled during Christmas break had me come back 4wks later. Total time of security, pre-check in, wait time for actual interview, interview questions, about 10mins. Consulate Agent very nice and not as intimidating as previous agents at this location. Security staff nice too. Visa Approved Wednesday 10am, email confirmation passport ready Thursday 4pm. Too late for pick up as Pick up time is 10am-2pm only (Kent St). On street parking limited, week day I believe it was 30mins. If you have someone who can wait for you or add time to meter, that’s good. Else there is the Greenwood Plaza parking. Recommend all paperwork printed ready and in passport. Any original docs like AU citizenship cert, previous passports (expired), marriage certs, birth certs etc bring with you to avoid any delays. Don’t think they won’t ask for it, they ask for one of the documents. Some agents will, others won’t. Best to be prepared. I’m still married to the same dependant that has been on every renewal but I get asked every single time. Also, I noticed a lot of people who had been in line for an interview before me, downstairs using newsagent with a copier. Incase you need to make copies, there’s one. Good cafe next door. Overall a lot nicer than the old Martin Place location.
- Sam (about 4 months ago)

Booked appointment on 5th Dec 2023. First available date was 27th Dec. interviewer only checked LCA and job offer and approved the visa straight away. Had taken too much print outs unnecessarily. You never know what gets asked. The status changed to approved very same day on the visa status tracker portal. Status got updated to Issued on 29th and due to weekend and new year break, today Jan 2nd , collected the passports. Very easy and smooth process.
- Prag (about 4 months ago)

My Visa appointment was Monday morning and I got the email for pickup by Tuesday afternoon.
- Harrison (about 3 months ago)

Remember to print the email if you're collecting in person
- Tiff (about 2 months ago)

I did my renewal by mail from Queensland. I know I'm always looking up processing times, so in case it's useful to anyone the complete turn around (from dropping my passport at the Post Office for express delivery) to having my passport delivered back to me was 7 calendar days. Consulate had the passport on Thursday and the visa was issued by Monday morning, and then delivered back to Queensland by Wednesday afternoon.
- Kelsey (about 2 months ago)

Great experience - over the years had 3 visas done at Sydney and always the same experience (done elsewhere and just a bit longer). Appointment was Friday 8AM, approved on the spot (6th E3 - change of employer). Only question I was asked was why was I changing jobs — “better offer / better company”. Officer laughed. I had all my supporting documents with me just in case but was not asked for them. CEAC showed ‘issued’ by Monday. I used premium delivery rather than pick up — DHL tracking number received by Tuesday AM. Passport delivered Wednesday PM to the Gold Coast. *Appointment booked without my approved LCA, and just swapped my DS160 at the appointment (made a new one with the correct LCA) - no issue, and was able to get the LCA approved, visa appointment and passport back all under 3 weeks
- Marnie (about 2 months ago)