Embassy Entry Requirements
Prohibited Items
Security screening is necessary at all U.S. Embassies to guarantee the safety of our visitors and employees. The process is very similar to that performed at any airport or federal building in the U.S., and we assure you that every effort is made by our guards to screen visitors as quickly and politely as possible. Because of space limitations in our public waiting area, only those with an appointment will be admitted.
To expedite your entry into the Embassy, we recommend you do not bring baggage. Please limit your carried items to a small purse and plastic folder containing your documents. Exceptions may be made for adults accompanying small children who may need diaper bags. Persons with large suitcases or rucksacks will not be admitted. Drinking water is available in the waiting area.
Once you enter the screening area, you should be prepared to remove all metallic items from your person and place them in a designated container for screening, together with your coat/jacket, belt, handbag/briefcase, etc.
Persons carrying any of the prohibited items mentioned below will be denied entry to the Embassy compound or asked to dispose of them. We suggest that all such items be left either at home, in a locked car, or with a friend or relative who remains outside the premises. Your cooperation will help to ensure everyone’s safety and also guarantee that you will be permitted onto the premises as expeditiously as possible for your appointment.
While the majority of these articles are obvious security risks, they also include some commonplace items.
The following items are PROHIBITED and cannot be brought onto the premises.
Electronic or Battery-Operated Items – including, but not limited to: cellular telephones, computers, laptops, tablets, e-book readers, recording devices, portable music devices such as iPods, radios, palm pilots, USB thumb drives, hard drives, cameras, video cameras, SD cards, CDs, flash lights, calculators, hairdryers and shavers, portable game consoles, electric toys.
Containers – Sealed envelopes or packages, food, water bottles, large bulky bags such as travel bags, backpacks, brief cases, or suitcases. Please limit your application documents.
Chemical Agent, Liquids, and Gasses – Liquids, gels, aerosols of any kind including compressed air, hairsprays, and deodorant sprays, oils, lotions, powder, pepper spray, tear gas, cleaning chemicals, consumables in glass bottles. Essential and declared medical items or equipment, however may be brought in with special approval from the RSO.
Flammables – Cigarettes, cigars, matches, lighters, lighter fluid, fire starters.
Weapons – Firearms including replica or non-firing weapons, blank or starter pistols, toy weapons, tear gas pistols, and stun guns; knives of all kinds, swords, scissors, cutting tools and straight razors, clubs, batons, saps, blackjacks, brass knuckles, nunchaku (“nun chucks”), throwing stars, throwing spikes, and spike combs.
Explosives – Including fireworks, smoke bombs, pyrotechnic devices or flares, and flare guns or launchers.
Miscellaneous items – Umbrellas cannot be taken into the compound and will be kept by security personnel until your departure from the Embassy.
This list is not all inclusive and security officials reserve the right to deny entry of items determined to be unsafe or a threat to security.
Visitors who do not follow these instructions will experience considerable delays at the security check point, which could result in the appointment being cancelled.