A visa is issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A visa entitles the holder to travel to the United States and apply for admission; it does not guarantee entry. An immigration official at the port of entry determines the visa holder’s eligibility for admission into the United States. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law.
Can I travel to the United States without a visa?
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
Can I get a visa for Russia from the US Embassy?
Please check the Embassy or Consulate website for further information. Due to the Russian government’s ordered closure of the U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg, we are no longer able to provide visa services there. Please consult the website for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
What is a US visa?
What is a U.S. Visa? A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa ...
How do other embassies and consulates handle immigrant visa applications?
Other embassies and consulates are cross-training personnel so that more staff can process immigrant visa applications. As we collect and share these best practices, we will find new ways to serve as many applicants as we can safely.
Are U.S. embassies still issuing visas?
Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the Department of State's ability to process immigrant visa applications. U.S. embassies and consulates are working to resume routine visa services on a location-by-location basis as expeditiously as possible in a safe manner.
Is US embassy open for B1 B2 visa?
The US Embassy announced on Sunday that it was resuming tourist and visitor B1-B2 visa appointments in India from September after the rush for student visas ended.
Is U.S. issuing B2 visa now?
We have now resumed routine B1/B2 processing, however due to high demand, we are experiencing extended wait times across all visa categories. Applicants with an urgent need to travel should follow the instructions at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/gm/gm-niv-emergencyappointment.html.
Has U.S. started issuing B1 visa?
They have opened first-time B1/B2 slots with interviews starting from Sep 2022, they continue to open slots until late 2024. H/L visa slots are booked for several months, they have opened slots for late 2022 and 2023 for booking. The slots in late 2022 and 2023 are not placeholder slots.
Is U.S. tourist visa application open?
How to Apply Online for a Business or Tourism Visitor Visa to the U.S. Please note: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates in March 2020. The process to resume routine visa services began in February 2021.
Is visitor visa Open for USA from India?
The passport holders from India receive a US Visit Visa as a stamp on their passport. The validity of your Visitor Visa or emergency visa depends upon your visit type. You can get a Visitor Visa for at least 6 months to 10 years. Entering the country without valid immigration and travel documents is a serious offense.
When U.S. visa services will resume?
The US embassy said it will resume routine in-person tourist visa appointments from September. “The US Mission to India is pleased to announce that we are resuming routine in-person tourist visa appointments in September 2022.
How long does a b1 B2 visa take to process?
Visa processing takes approximately 21 workdays from the date on which the application is received by the Embassy. A further 2-3 workdays should be allowed for the return of your passport.
What is a U.S. Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Find out what visa type is appropriate for you
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.
Visa Appointment Wait Time
A wait time listed as "999 calendar days" indicates that the Consular Section is only providing that service to emergency cases. Please check the Embassy or Consulate website for further information.
How to get information on a visa?
First, the fastest and easiest way for you to get the information you need is to regularly check the website of your closest U.S. embassy or consulate. That is where the most up-to-date information about operations will always be, as well as information about the best way to get in touch with the embassy or consulate.
Is there a restriction on immigrant visas?
So let’s turn to the current situation of the rescission of Presidential Proclamation 10014, which means there’s no general restriction existing on issuing immigrant visas. However, many immigrant visa applicants are subject to other presidential proclamations, including those for certain countries during the preceding 14 days before entry or attempted entry to the United States. These countries are China, Iran, Brazil, UK, Ireland, South Africa, and the 26 countries in the Schengen Area. Spouses and children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are excepted from these restrictions.
Can you have multiple appointments for a visa?
Finally, please come to your appointments prepared with the documents outlined on your appointment letter. Just like with communications, using multiple appointments to present more information will slow down your visa processing as well as others. Again, we’re looking to serve as many people as we safely can, and we’re grateful for your patience.
Is the Biden-Harris visa process still in place?
However, many immigrant visa applicants are subject to pandemic-related presidential proclamations remaining in place that restrict issuance of visas, including for those who have been in certain countries during the preceding 14 days before entry or attempted entry to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services Stufft explains the current state of immigrant visa processing, the restrictions that remain in place, and how the Department of State is seeking to reduce the backlog of immigrant visa applications as efficiently as possible within the process designed to secure U.S. borders.
What determines what type of visa is required?
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. 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.
What is business traveler?
Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
Is the US consulate in Russia suspended?
All consular services at the U.S. Consulates in Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok remain in suspended status.
What determines what type of visa is required?
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. 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.
How long is a visa application valid for?
There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law.
How to request an expedited appointment?
How to Request an Expedited Appointment: Applicants can request an expedited appointment through our online appointment system at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/expedited-appointment.html. You must already have a confirmed interview appointment date in order to request an expedited appointment. If your expedited appointment request is approved, you will be notified with instructions via email. You should not cancel your existing appointment unless you receive a confirmation that your request for an expedited appointment has been approved. If you have not yet received an approval or denial, your request is still under consideration.
What is business traveler?
Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
What are the exceptions to the suspension of entry?
There are certain exceptions to the suspension of entry, including exceptions for certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, among other exceptions listed in the proclamations.
Is there a drop box for visa renewal in India?
Drop Box Appointments: Consular sections across India are now accepting a limited number of drop box applications for renewals of H, L, C1/D, O, I, F, M, and J visas at our Visa Application Centers. Please visit our website to determine whether you are eligible for drop box processing and schedule an appointment for document drop-off. A list of drop-off locations is available on our website.
What is a nonimmigrant visa?
Nonimmigrant Visas: Student and Exchange Visitors. Petition-based work visas, including Treaty Trader and Investors (E Visas). All other categories: Emergency only.
When are IR-5 visas documentarily qualified?
Most IR-5 (parent of U.S. citizen cases) were documentarily qualified in November-December 2019.
Is there a wait time for immigrant visas?
It is not possible to provide precise wait times for immigrant visa appointments, as facilities, staffing resources, and local conditions all affect capacity and scheduling. As of October 18, 2021, most IR1, IR2, IR5, and K visa cases being scheduled for interview were documentarily qualified at the National Visa Center in March 2021. Most Tier Three and Four cases scheduled for interview were documentarily qualified in October 2019.
Is the Consulate General in Montreal processing immigrant visas?
The U.S. Consulate General in Montreal is processing immigrant visas and will prioritize Immediate Relative family members of U.S. citizens including intercountry adoptions, fiancé (e)s of U.S. citizens, and certain Special Immigrant Visa applications, as well as other mission critical categories such as medical professionals. There are increased wait times for completing services due to substantial backlogs.
