The United States Embassy in London is located at 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US, in the Nine Elms district of the city.

Opened in 2018, the facility replaced the former Grosvenor Square location and serves as the primary diplomatic mission for the US in the United Kingdom. The embassy provides a wide range of services, processing visa applications for individuals seeking to travel to the United States for tourism, study, work or immigration purposes and to US citizens living or traveling in the UK, including passport renewals, notarial services and emergency assistance.

The following guide looks at the services provided by the United States Embassy in London, from helping US citizens to dealing with the necessary permissions for foreign citizens to travel to the USA.

 

What is the United States Embassy in the UK?

 

The US Embassy in London is the diplomatic representation of the United States government in England and Wales. The Embassy also has what’s known as a consular section, exercising the functions of a consulate. This is the representation of the public administration of the USA in London.

The duties of the consulate are essentially twofold:

 

• US Citizenship Services – where it is responsible for providing information and assistance to US citizens living or travelling in England and Wales, including the issuance and renewal of passports and other official documents for such citizens.
• US Visas – it is also responsible for issuing visas to British citizens, as well as any foreign nationals residing in England and Wales, applying for leave from their country of residence to enter the United States.

 

 

United States Embassy London address

 

The United States Embassy London is located in Wandsworth, South West London. The address is as follows:

Embassy of the United States of America
33 Nine Elms Lane
London
SW11 7US

Tel: [44] (0)20-7499-9000

 

How to get there

 

The closest Tube is Vauxhall station on the Victoria Line. The closest rail station is Vauxhall.

From Vauxhall station, it takes approximately 10 minutes to walk to the Embassy.

From Vauxhall Tube station take Exit 1 for a riverside walk or from Exit 4. The Embassy is two stops by bus 156, 344 or 436 from Vauxhall Bus Station, Stop E, to Elm Quay Court.

To locate the Embassy using GPS when driving you will need to use “London SW8 5BL“ or “US Embassy London Nine Elms”. Note there is no public parking available.

 

US Embassy London opening hours

 

The following are typical opening times for the Embassy, though it is advisable to check the official Embassy website:

 

Service	Hours / Details
Embassy Building Hours	Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Closed on U.S. and U.K. public holidays
Consular Services (Passports, Visas, Notarial Services)	By appointment only No walk-in services available Appointment times vary by service
Address	33 Nine Elms Lane London, SW11 7US United Kingdom
Important Notes	– Arrive 15–30 minutes early for security screening – Check the official website for holiday closures and service-specific hours – Emergency consular support is available 24/7 by phone

 

 

The United States Embassy London is closed to the public on US and British public holidays.

 

What to expect at the Embassy

 

 

Visitors to the US Embassy in London should expect a structured and secure environment with clearly defined procedures. All individuals must go through a security screening process upon arrival. Security measures are in place to protect staff and visitors, and all guests are strongly advised to review the list of prohibited items and appointment requirements on the embassy’s official website before attending. Visitors should bring only essential items to minimize delays during the security screening.

Only individuals with an appointment will be admitted to the Embassy. Exceptions are made for minors attending an appointment, who may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Similarly, young children are permitted to accompany a parent or guardian who holds an appointment.

Appointments for all consular services—including visa applications, passport services, and notarial assistance—must be scheduled in advance through the embassy’s online booking system. Walk-ins are not accepted under any circumstances.

Those attending the Embassy are encouraged to arrive early – usually 15 to 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time – as lines for entry and security can be lengthy, especially during peak periods.

Read more about what to expect during the visa interview here >

 

Embassy services for non-US citizens

 

The Embassy primarily provides information and assistance to US citizens in England and Wales. However, it also handles immigrant visa applications for residents across the UK, including Scotland and Northern Ireland. For nonimmigrant visa services in Northern Ireland, you will need to contact the Consulate General in Belfast. For other consular matters in Scotland, the Consulate General in Edinburgh can assist.

This means that, as a British citizen, or a foreign citizen residing in the UK, you can apply for either an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa for the USA from the United States Embassy London.

The purpose of your intended travel, and other facts, will determine what type of visa is required under US immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.

An immigrant visa is for those wishing to live permanently in the USA, for example, on the basis of family connections or work, while a nonimmigrant visa is for those with permanent residence outside the United States, but wish to visit the US on a temporary basis for the purposes of tourism or business, or to live in the US to undertake studies or employment.

There are multiple categories of both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas to choose from, each with their own specific and stringent requirements. As such, it is often advisable to seek expert legal advice from an immigration specialist when applying for a visa, not least to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and to help you collate the necessary documentation in support.

You may even be eligible for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP permits citizens of 38 partner countries, including the UK, to travel to the US for the purposes of tourism or business without a visa, so long as the proposed trip does not extend beyond the permitted timeframe of 90 days.

 

US Embassy London application processing times

 

The processing times for the various different services offered by the United States Embassy London will vary depending on the nature of the application in question. By way of example, the routine processing time for a US citizen applying for a full-validity passport—10 years for adults or 5 years for children under 16—is approximately 3 weeks from the date the application is received. For urgent travel needs, a limited-validity emergency passport may be issued, often on the same day, subject to availability and upon submission of satisfactory proof of travel.

In contrast, the overall wait time for an immigrant visa to the US can run into several months, or even longer in more involved cases. To apply for permanent residence in the United States, a US sponsor will typically need to file a petition with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf. Only once this petition has been approved will you be able to proceed with the next stage of consular processing at the US Embassy in London. Following a successful interview, it generally takes around 10 to 15 working days for an immigrant visa to be issued.

For nonimmigrant visas—such as those for tourism, business, or study—the average processing time after a successful interview is 5 to 7 working days, with a further 2 to 3 working days required for delivery. Employment-related visa categories may take slightly longer, typically 10 to 15 working days. Some applications may be subject to additional administrative processing, in which case delays should be expected.

Applicants are strongly advised not to make any non-refundable travel arrangements until their documents have been received. Timelines can vary and it’s important to allow sufficient time for processing when making any travel plans.

 

Embassy services for US citizens

 

US Citizen Services at the United States Embassy in London consists of three main departments:

 

Passport & Citizenship Unit

 

As the name suggests, the Passport & Citizenship Unit provides a variety of passport and citizenship services. On the passport side, this includes:

Adult Passport Renewal – you can renew your passport by mail if it is undamaged, was issued within the last 15 years with a 10-year validity, and was issued in your current name, or you have changed your name since your passport was issued and can submit legal documentation to prove this change.

Renewing a child’s passport under the age of 16 – all child passport renewals require a scheduled appointment and a personal appearance of the child with all parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

Replacing a damaged, lost or stolen passport – US passports that are damaged or in poor condition must be replaced, as they are no longer valid for travel, and are not proof of citizenship or identity. If your US passport is damaged, lost or stolen, you must apply for a new passport in person through a pre-arranged appointment.

Applying for an adult passport where your last passport was issued before you were 16, or more than 15 years ago – if you are applying to renew a US passport in these circumstances, you must schedule an appointment and attend in person.

Applying for or renewing a second passport – if you are in possession of a current passport you can apply for a second passport by mail. Otherwise, you must attend in person through a pre-arranged appointment.

Reporting the birth of a child born outside the United States and applying for their first passport – a child born outside the United States to a US citizen may be eligible for US citizenship. US citizens eligible to transmit citizenship are required to file for what’s known as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) before the child’s 18th birthday.

Applying for a US passport card – a passport card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry, and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book.

Applying for an emergency passport – you can apply for an emergency limited validity 12-page US passport by way of a scheduled in-person appointment. However, not all countries will recognise this as a travel document so you should always check entry and exit requirements.

Amending a passport, including change of name – if you have changed your name in the last 12 months, for example, through marriage, in most cases you may apply for a passport in your new name by mail. In the event that your passport was issued more than 12 months ago, typically you will need to follow the instructions for a routine passport renewal.

The Passport & Citizenship Unit also provides two main citizenship services: applying for and renouncing US citizenship. Please note, loss of US citizenship is an irrevocable act and it is imperative that you fully understand the nature of its consequences prior to requesting a Certificate of Loss of Nationality. We can provide advice on your specific circumstances.

 

The Special Consular Services Unit

 

If you are a US citizen with a question about living or visiting the United Kingdom, you may want to contact the Special Consular Services Unit (SCS).

If your question concerns US visas, including status of case inquiries, non-US passports required for travel to the US, visa-free travel, your spouse’s immigrant visa application and green cards, please visit: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/

 

The Federal Benefits Unit

 

The London Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) provides services for various programs including the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Personnel Management, Railroad Retirement Board, Medicare and Department of Labor.

The largest program is the Social Security Administration. This includes filing for benefits, requesting a US social security number, reporting a change of address, reporting a change of direct deposit or reporting a death.

The FBU provides assistance to over 44,000 beneficiaries throughout the UK, in addition to the following countries in Africa: Botswana, Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

If you reside in a country that is not listed above, you will need to direct your inquiry to your local US Embassy or Consulate’s website to locate your nearest Federal Benefits Unit. Please note, the Federal Benefits Unit is unable to answer inquiries related to visas, passports, IRS, Selective Service Registration, voting or other non-federal benefit issues.

 

Need assistance?

 

NNU Immigration are specialist US immigration attorneys. From our central London base we are conveniently located in close proximity to the US Embassy.

We support individuals and companies from across the globe with US visa petitions.

If you have a question about US visa eligibility or making a specific application, contact us.

 

United States Embassy London FAQs

 

Where is the United States Embassy in London located?

The US Embassy is located at 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US, in the Nine Elms area of the city.

 

What are the opening hours of the US Embassy in London?

The embassy is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It is closed on US and UK public holidays.

 

Do I need an appointment to visit the embassy?

Yes. All services for US citizens and visa applicants require a scheduled appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted.

 

Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?

Only the individual with the appointment will be admitted. However, minors may be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and young children can accompany the person holding the appointment.

 

How do I schedule an appointment at the US Embassy London?

Appointments must be scheduled through the embassy’s official website. Availability may vary depending on the service and current demand.

 

How long does it take to get a US passport through the embassy?

Routine passport processing takes approximately three weeks. Emergency passports may be issued more quickly with proof of immediate travel.

 

How long does it take to receive a visa after an interview?

For most nonimmigrant visas, processing takes 5 to 7 working days, with an additional 2 to 3 days for delivery. Immigrant visas generally take around 10 to 15 working days.

 

What should I bring to my consular appointment?

You should bring your appointment confirmation, required forms, identification documents, and any supporting materials requested in your appointment notice.

 

Is there parking available at the embassy?

There is no public parking available at the embassy. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation.

 

What security measures should I be aware of?

All visitors must pass through security screening. Prohibited items include large bags, electronic devices, and any sharp objects. It’s recommended to check the embassy website before arrival for a full list of restrictions.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
US Embassy London	The official diplomatic mission of the United States in the United Kingdom, located in the Nine Elms area of London.
Consular Services	Services provided by the embassy to US citizens and foreign nationals, including passports, visas, and emergency assistance.
Appointment Confirmation	A document or email verifying the date and time of a scheduled consular service at the US Embassy.
Nonimmigrant Visa	A visa issued to foreign nationals who intend to enter the United States temporarily for tourism, business, study, or work.
Immigrant Visa	A visa for individuals planning to live permanently in the United States, usually based on family or employment sponsorship.
Passport Renewal	The process of extending the validity of an existing US passport, typically available by mail or in-person appointment.
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)	An official record of a child’s birth outside the United States to a US citizen parent, used to document citizenship.
ESTA	The Electronic System for Travel Authorization, required for travelers entering the US under the Visa Waiver Program.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)	A program allowing citizens of certain countries, including the UK, to travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa.
Emergency Passport	A limited-validity passport issued to US citizens in urgent situations when regular processing is not possible in time for travel.