If you are currently within the United States, you neither need a visa nor can obtain one. That's because, in technical terms, a visa is simply a U.S. entry document. It is issued only by an overseas U.S. embassy or consulate, so as to allow someone to come to the United States, present it at the border or port of entry, and be admitted.
How to apply for a visa to the United States?
Apply for a visa. The process of applying for a visa will vary depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. Follow the specific instructions for the country that you’re in. In general, you will need: To complete online form DS-160, the nonimmigrant visa application form. A photo. A visa application fee.
Do I need a visa to visit the United States?
Check to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If you don't see your country listed, you will need a nonimmigrant visa to visit the U.S. 2. Determine which visa you might need for your visit. Most business and tourism travelers use B-1 and B-2 visitor visas.
How long does it take to get a US visa?
The processing time for a US visa application depends a lot on the type of visa you are trying to get. While the temporary nonimmigrant visas might take you up to a few weeks, or months at most, the immigrant visas can take years to get approved.
How to find out if you need a tourist visa?
1 Find out if you need a visa. Check to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). ... 2 Determine which visa you might need for your visit. Most business and tourism travelers use B-1 and B-2 visitor visas. ... 3 Apply for a visa.
How old do you have to be to get a US visa?
5. Schedule a US visa interview. All US nonimmigrant visa applicants between 14 and 79 years old are required to go through a US visa interview.
How long does it take to get a visa after an interview?
Processing times depend on the type of US visa you applied for, but they can range from a few days to a few months. When your visa is processed, you will find out whether you were approved or denied.
What is the second step in applying for a US visa?
The second step of the US visa application is to choose the type of US visa that you want to get. Since there are differences depending on the type of US visa you want to get, you should pay extra attention to choosing the right type of visa to apply for.
What is the form for a non-immigrant visa?
Fill in the Non-immigrant visa Application Form DS-160.
Where to find DS-160 form?
The form can be found online on the website of the US consulate from which you are applying.
How to fill out DS-160?
You can fill the DS-160 form online through: 1 by yourself through the Consular Electronic Application Center, or 2 with the assistance of a third-party company, that we recommend, such as TravelAssist.
Why do people want to go to the US?
For most people around the world, wanting to go to the US means that they need a visa. The reasons for wanting to go differ from just visits for tourism or business, working, studying, or permanently moving there. The country attracts a wide range of people who have various goals and want to achieve “the American dream”.
How to check status of US visa?
To check on the status of your U.S. Visa application: 1 United States: Contact the National Visa Center (NVC) at 1-603-334-0700 for immigrant visas. For nonimmigrant visas, call 1-603-334-0888. Or use the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). 2 Abroad: Contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate where you filed your application.
How to check on my visa status?
To check on the status of your U.S. Visa application: United States: Contact the National Visa Center (NVC) at 1-603-334-0700 for immigrant visas. For nonimmigrant visas, call 1-603-334-0888. Or use the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). Abroad: Contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate where you filed your application.
What to do if consular officer denies visa?
If the consular officer denies your application, ask them to explain why. While you are not eligible to reapply for a visa if the officer denies your application, you can apply for a waiver instead.
What to do if you lost your visa?
If you lost your visa or the Arrival/Departure Records (a Form I-94) to enter the U.S., the Bureau of Consular Affairs has guidance on reporting and re-issuance of travel documents: File a police report and get the number of the report and the officer's name.
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How Long Does it Take to Get a US Visa?
The US visa processing time depends on the type of visa that you are applying for. It takes from 3 to 5 weeks for a US visa application to get processed. After the processing, the applicant can get a positive reply on their application, and the consulate will deliver the document. The delivery of the visa can take up to two other workdays.
How long do you have to wait to get a visa waiver?
Applicants who are required to apply for a waiver of ineligibility in order to get the visa, should keep in might that they will have to wait for 6 to 8 months from the date of their interview to get a reply.
How long does it take for a P-1 visa to process?
If you do not have premium processing, after USCIS approves the petition, it might take another 2 to 3 months for the visa to process. P-1 visa. 3 to 6 months. It is a long wait, but the US institutions offer the opportunity to pay for premium processing.
How long does it take to get a visa after an F-2 interview?
F-2 visa. Few days to 2 weeks. After your F-2 interview, you might get a response immediately from your interviewer on whether you got the visa or you were denied. However, it is more common that the wait will be a few days or weeks.
How long does it take to get a visa reviewed?
It can take a few weeks for an applicant that applies for i.e. a tourist visa, while it may take months for another to get a response for the same visa, because of his / her situation.
How long does it take to get a response from ESTA?
Whereas, countries under the visa waiver program, applying through Electronic Travel Authorization System for short term visits, can get a reply in their ESTA application within 72 hours.
Does the State Department expedite interview appointments?
Keep in mind that the State Department does grant expedited interview appointments and processing if you have an emergency situation. It’s important that you contact the US Embassy or Consulate in your country if you have an emergency.
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.
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.
Reloadable Visa Prepaid Cards
The all-purpose Visa Prepaid card is a reloadable card you can use in-person and online to:
Choose a card to fit your needs
Pay quickly and conveniently online and in stores — plus get your payday funds faster with direct deposit.
Visa Payroll and Healthcare cards
Your employer may offer you a payroll or healthcare prepaid card so you can manage your payday funds more easily — and enjoy many of the advantages of Visa.
Additional Resources
Get your Child Tax Credit payment fast when it’s directly deposited to a Visa Prepaid card.
When will the in person interview for a student visa be waived?
The Department of State has waived, through December 31, 2021, the in-person interview requirement for nationals of eligible countries applying for F, M, and academic J (students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists) visas, subject to certain conditions. Prospective F, M, and academic J visa applicants who were previously issued any type of visa, and who have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived may be considered for waiver of the in-person interview requirement. First-time and renewing F, M, and academic J visa applicants who are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may also avail the interview waiver even when applying outside their consular district.
Does a rescission of a P.P. mean a visa interview?
Please note that the rescission of these P.P.’s does not necessarily mean that a U.S. Embassy or Consulate is able to immediately schedule all affected applicants for visa interviews. Please see the embassy/consulate website for information on what services they are offering at this time and instructions on how to apply for a nonimmigrant visa here.
What is a 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 or nationality.
Who does visa interviewing?
In the country you selected, visa applications and interview scheduling are primarily facilitated by a third-party company, U.S. Travel Docs. Please visit their website at: https://www.ustraveldocs.com for additional information on determining what visa type is best for you and how to apply.
What are the requirements for a non-immigrant to fly?
citizen air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States. U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are eligible to travel but are not fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test one (1) day before their flight. U.S citizens and LPRs who are fully vaccinated will need to present airlines with proof of vaccination and of a negative COVID-19 test three (3) days before their flight. Exemptions will be considered on an extremely limited basis. Please contact your nearest embassy or consulate to apply for an exemption. Please visit the CDC webpages for more information about exemptions and the requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States .
Who facilitates visa applications?
In the country you selected, visa applications and interview scheduling are primarily facilitated by a third-party company, Applicant Service Centers. Please visit their website at: https://ais.usvisa-info.com for additional information on determining what visa type is best for you and how to apply.
Does the Embassy of Nairobi accept diversity visas?
Diversity Visas: Embassy Nairobi is processing a very limited number of Diversity Visa cases. Please note that we are currently NOT able to accept Diversity Visa cases from other consular districts. The Department values the diversity visa program and is making every effort to process as many Diversity Visa cases as possible, consistent with other priorities, despite the severe operational constraints and backlog resulting from the COVID pandemic. However, as a result of COVID the number of visas issued in lower-priority preference categories or in such programs as the Diversity Visa program likely will not approach the statutory ceiling in Fiscal Year 2021.
