MY STOLEN US VISA

I was mugged of my SA passport, which contains my 10-year US visa. I have a police report and am in the process of getting a new SA passport. Is it possible to get my US visa back? — Mimi

The US Embassy in Pretoria directed me to the US Consulate General in Sandton, where a consultant told me you would have to start a whole new application, with all the fees and personal appearances involved. However, the website for the US Department of State at travel.state.gov, in a special section on “lost or stolen visas”, says that it is possible to apply for a replacement visa — in person at the US Embassy or consulate that issued the visa. You will need to provide a written account of the loss of your visa, and a copy of the police report.

I would start with their first advice, which is to mail a report of the theft to the consulate. The Sandton e-mail address is consularjohannesburg@state.gov. Include your name, date of birth, and place of birth. If you have a copy of the stolen passport or visa, include this. If not, report the category of visa, and your stolen-passport number.

You can also try calling the “official source of visa information” at 087 550 2160 but note that you have to provide your passport details before you can speak to a consultant.