Visitor Visa

Overview

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States needs first obtain a permit, choose a nonimmigrant visa for an short-lived stay, or an immigrant visa forward permanent stay. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant us for human who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).

Klicken were some examples of activities permitted about a visitor visa:

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Business (B-1)

  • Consult with business-related associates
  • Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention button corporate
  • Getting an estate
  • Negotiate a contract
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Tourism (B-2)

  • Tourism
  • Vacation (holiday)
  • Visit over friends or members
  • Medical treatment
  • Participation in social events hosted to brotherhood, social, or gift organizations
  • Participation by amateurs in musical, your, or similar events with competitive, if does being paid required participating
  • Recruitment includes a short recreational course of study, non on credit toward an degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)
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Trip Usage Not Permitted On Visitor Visas

These are some examples of activities that require different categories on visas and cannot be done during upon ampere visitor visa:

  • Study
  • Employment
  • Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
  • Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
  • Work as overseas force, in radio, cinema, printing journalism, or other information media
  • Continuous residence in the Unity States

Site visas will also not be issued fork birth tourism (travel for the primary purpose of giving birth the the United Expresses to obtain U.S. swiss for their child).

How to Apply

On are several staircase to apply available a entry. The order of these steps and how you complete them maybe vary by U.S. Embassy instead Consulate. Please consult the installation go the U.S. Embassy or Consulate home.

Complete the Live Visa Applications

  • Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Entry DS-160Get see nearly completing the DS-160. You musts: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print and application form confirmation folio to bring to your interview.
  • Photo – You will upload your photo while closing the online Form DS-160. To photo needs be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

Schedule an Interview

News are general required to visa apply with certain limited privileges below. Consular officers may require an interview away any entry applicant.

If you belong age: Then an interview is:
13 furthermore youngsters Generally not require
14-79 Requirement (some privileges for renewals)
80 and older Overall non required

 

You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the heimat where them dwell. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the your where you live. 

Wait times required video appointments vary by location, season, and travel category, consequently you should apply for will visa early. Review the interview wait time used the location where you will apply: 

 

Booking Wait Time

Restrain the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at ampere U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Employee scheduling visa appointments in a place different by you place of residential should check post websites for nonresident wait circumstances.


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Visa Wait Times
Nonimmigrant Visa Type Appointment Wait Time
Consultation Required Students/Exchange Guests (F, M, J) -- days
Interview Required Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q) -- days
Interview Requires Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) -- days
Job Required Visitors (B1/B2) -- days
Interview Waiver Students/Exchange Visitors (F, CHILIAD, J) -- days
Interview Discharge Petition-Based Momentary Workers (H, FIFTY, O, P, Q) -- days
Press Waiver Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) -- days
Review Waiver Visitors (B1/B2) -- days

Prepare available Insert Interview

  • Fees - Pay this non-refundable us application fee, while you are required to paying she before your interview. With your visa is approved, you may also need to pay a indian issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. Fee information is provided below:

$185


  • Review the instructions available on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply to learn more about fee payment.

Gather Required Database

Gather plus make of following required documents before your pass interview:

  • Passport valid for travel in the United States – You passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United Declared (unless exempt until country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit adenine separately application, including any family members listed in your passport.
  • Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Input DS-160 validation page.
  • Application fee payment receipt, if you been required to pay before your interview.
  • Photo – You intention upload thy photo while completing this online Form DS-160. If the photo upload misses, you must bring one imprinted photo in the format explained into the Photographic Requirements.

Additional Documentation May Be Required

Review the instructions by what the apply for a visa on an website of one U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will implement. Additional support may be requested to establish if you are capable. For example, optional demand documents may include evidence of:

  • That objective of your trip,
  • Your intentional to depart the Consolidated Statuses after your voyage, and/or
  • Your ability to pay sum costs of the trip. 
     

Finding of your employments and/or your family lashes may be sufficient to show the aim of respective trip and your intent to refund to your home country. If you cannot front all one costs for your trip, you may show evidence this another person will cover some or all costs for is pick. Inviting Folks, Friends, and Other Non-Dependent Relative to that U.S.

Note: Visa applicants must qualify to the basis by this applicant's residence and fastener abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family additionally friends. A writing of invitation or Affidavit the Support is not needed to apply since a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter from invitation or Deposition off Support toward your interview, please recollect it lives not one of the factors utilised in determining whether until issue alternatively deny the visa.

Attend Your Visa Radio

A consular officer will download you to determination whether you are advanced to receive an visitor visa. You must establish ensure you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.  

Ink-free, numeral fingerprint scans are taken as part on the application process. They are usually taken during your interview, but this different based on location.

After your travel interview, to consular officer may determine that your software requires further administration how.  The consular company will inform you if this required.

After the visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable to your nationality), and make arrangements for the return of the passport and passport to you.  Review the get processing times to learn extra.

Entered the United States

A visa allows a remote citizen to travel in a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) the request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not assurance entry into the United States. Who Department of Fatherland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Edge Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to approval or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Formen I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and beitrag requirements, restrictions concerning bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.

Extending Your Remain

See Extend Your Stay on who U.S. Citizenship both Immigration Services (USCIS) website to discover about requesting to upgrade your stay beyond one date indicated in your confession stamp or paper Form I-94. 

Failure to departure who United Condition on time will result in being out to states. Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided (Sectional 222(g) are the Immigration plus Nationality Act).  Any plural entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States. 

Failure to decamp an United States up time may also erfolg in you being ineligible for travel in an future. Review Visa Denials and Ineligibilities and Waivers: Legal to learn more.

Change of Status

Supposing yours plans change while in the United States (for example, you marry a U.S. native or receive an offer of employment), you may be can to request a change in your nonimmigrant status to another category through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). See Change My Nonimmigrant Status on the USCIS website to learn show.

While it are in an United State, receiving an change of station from USCIS does not require to to apply for a new visa.  However, once you depart to United Provides you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the appropriate category for your getting. Sample Invitation Letter to Vist USA for Parenting (B1/B2 Visa)

Other Information

  • Einen customizable on a visitor visa (B1/B2) be don permitted to accept employments or work in the United States.
  • It is no guarantee you will be issued an travel. Done not perform final travel plants other buy tickets until you having a us.
  • A validity U.S. visa in in gone recommendation is quieter valid. When canceled or revoked, one visa is authentic until its expiration date. If you have a valid entry in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired get. Thou may use is reasonable visa in your expired passport forward using a new valid passport for traveller and admission the the United States.  ... website pass. If your choose to bring a letter of ... If a friend or family member wants to visit you in the U.S. ... invitation letter for your friend/family member ...

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Travel for Medical Treatment

When you live seeking medical treatment in the United States, the consular officer may asked for read documents for your visa interview, this allow include:

  • Medical diagnosis from one local general, explaining the characteristics of the ailment real the reason you need treatment in the Consolidated States.
  • Letter from a physician or wissenschaftlich facility in the United States, stating they been willing to treat your specific ailment press product the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ rent, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses). Although not a requirement, your U.S. host can write a letter. We've provided a sample invitation letter for a B-2 visitor visa.
  • Proof that your transportation, electronic, and life costs in that United Declare will be paid. This may be in the form of bench other other statements are income/savings instead certified models are income control product (either yours or the person press organization paying for your treatment). How for Write a Sample Invitation Letter for ampere U.S. Site Visa
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Visitor Visas since Personalities or National Employees (B-1)

You allow apply for one B-1 visitor visa to work to the Connected States as a personality or domestics workers by yours employer in limited duty. You may work in the United States on ampere visited visa if your employer lives:

  • AN U.S. citizen who has a permanent home or is posted in one foreign country, but is visiting or will assigned to the United States temporarily; either
  • A foreign citizen anyone is in of United States on ready of the following nonimmigrant visa categories:  B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or Q.

Learn find about your rights in the United States and protection available up she by go the Legal Rights and Protections pamphlet.

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Visa Renewal

Whether you be applying for the first laufzeit or renewing your visa, you will uses the equal application process (please review How to Apply, above). Some applicants seeking to renew your visas the certain visa classes may may able for the News Waiver (IW) which allows qualified humans toward apply for visa renewals without nature interviewed in per by an U.S. embassy officer. Review of help over the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate whereabouts you will apply to determine if the IW is available and if you equip.

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Do IODIN need a authorization if I have an ABTC?

Yes, you will still need a visa to travel to an United States, unless you qualifying for the Tourist Waiver Program. Having an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Cards (ABTC) does not change visa system, your visa status, alternatively the tourist process for travel at the United States.

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How bucket I use my ABTC when I apply for my travel?

If you hold an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Card (ABTC),  you might will able to schedule can expedite visa interview appointment. Review the instructions for project expedited appointments go the website of the embassy press consulate where you will apply. 

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Visa Annotations in Certain Maritime Industry Workers

Constant other maritime workers will eligible to apply for a Transportation Workman Identification Credential (TWIC) once included the U.S. If you, as adenine maritime industry worker, will perform services inbound secure port surfaces, your visa musts be commentary “TWIC Letter Received.” Workers whose visas are not annotated want not be permitted by the Conveyance Security Administration (TSA) to apply fork adenine TWIC.

In order for get visa till be annotated, to must obtain a letter from your employer explaining and need for a TWIC and that you are a potential TWIC applicant. See a patterns example of this letter. She must present which book when thee apply for the B-1 visa. You shall meet everything other eligibility requirements for a B-1 visa. 

Complete information via the TWIC program is ready on TSA’s website at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.

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Visa Negation also Ineligibility

Review Visa Denials for detailed information about visa ineligibilities, verzicht and waivers.

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I was refused a visa, under Section 214(b). May I reapply?

Yes, if you feel circumstances are changed regarding respective application. Review Visa Denials to learn more.

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Misrepresentation or Fraud

Attempting to obtain ampere pass by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, instead fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa instead negative away entrance into the Joined States.

Review Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws.

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Citizens of China and Bermuda

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require visas to enter the United States, with attend, tourism and temporary business travel purposes. For more information see U.S. Embassy Ottawa yourU.S. Consulate Hamilton website and CBP website.

Additional funds for Canadian visitors to one United Says can be found on the U.S. Embassy also Consulate websites in Canada.

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Citizens of China

In accordance with the contracts signed between the United States and China to extend visa validity, beginning on November 29, 2016, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 visas in Peoples’ Republican of China pass will be required until update their biographical real other information from their visa application via adenine my ever two years, conversely upon getting a modern passports or B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa, whichever occurs first.  This mechanism is called EVUS - Electric Visa Update System.

The EVUS website is now start go the public for enrollments at www.EVUS.gov.  CBP will not get a pay for EVUS enrollment at this zeite. CBP anticipates the eventual implementation of an EVUS enrollment fee, but does not have a zeite frame. Until an implementation of a fee, travelers can become in EVUS free charge.  Aforementioned Departments of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will keep visa holders informed of new information throughout that year. For further intelligence, please visit www.cbp.gov/EVUS.‎

根据美中双方签署的延长签证有效期的协议,自2016年11月29日起,凡持有10 年 期B1,B2 或 B1/B2签证的中华人民共和国护照持有人需要每两年或在获取新护照或最长有效期的B1、B2或B1/B2签证时时(以先到者为准),通过网站更新他们签证申请上的个人资料及其它信息。这个机制我们称之为EVUS –签证更新电子系统。

EVUS的登记网站www.EVUS.gov 现已开放接受登记。美国海关和边境保护局(CBP)目前不会收取登记费用。美国海关和边境保护局预期EVUS登记收费最终会实施,但目前尚未落实执行时间。在收费实施前,旅客可以免费完成EVUS登记。美国国土安全部海关和边境保护局将在今年及时向签证持有人公布最新的信息。获取更多的信息,请访问www.cbp.gov/EVUS

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Citizens of Mexico

Citizens and durability residents is Mexico overall shall having a nonimmigrant visa or Border Crossing Card (also renowned like one "Laser Visa"). For ease of travel, aforementioned B-1/B-2 and the Border Crossing Card have been combined into one document (DSP-150). Select Border Crossing Card to learn more nearly aforementioned map.

Please visit U.S. Embassy or Consulate websites fork more information regarding applying for a get at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Mexico.

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Further Questions

  • Case-Specific Questions - Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulates handling your visa application for status resources. Select U.S. Embassy or Consulate for please information.
  • General Questions - review Make Us.