While you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from USCIS
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the country's naturalization and immigration system. It is a successor to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which was dissolved by the Homeland S…
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.
How to apply for an online nonimmigrant visa application?
Submit the Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. You submitted this form in the beginning, and you must fill it out again. When you complete it, you will get the confirmation page and number, which you need to save for your supporting documents.
How to apply for a US visa renewal?
Applying for US Visa Renewal Complete Form DS-160 for US Visa Renewal. The application form for US visas is called Form DS-160, and it is the same... Schedule an Interview Appointment. In order to schedule an appointment with the US Embassy or Consulate in your country,... Pay the US Visa Renewal ...
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.
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.
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.
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 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”.
What is a visa for a foreigner?
A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit 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 Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.
Where to schedule a visa interview?
You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. 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 country where you live.
What happens after a visa interview?
After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this required.
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).
What happens if you fail to leave the US on time?
Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being out of status. Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ). Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States.
Do you need a visa to travel to Bermuda?
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require visas to enter the United States, for visit, tourism and temporary business travel purposes. For more information see U.S. Embassy Ottawa website , U.S. Consulate Hamilton website and CBP website.
Can a visa be voided?
Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ). Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States.
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 old do you have to be to attend a visa interview?
All children under 18 years old who have scheduled an appointment for their visas MUST be accompanied by one of their parents to be allowed to attend their interviews.
What happens if you don't provide contact information for passport?
Dear Applicant, please note that your failure to provide accurate contact information (phone numbers and email) will result in the delay or even inability to delivery your passport to the pickup location. It is essential that you provide your correct contact information.
How old do you have to be to get a visa?
Visa applicants under 18 years old must be accompanied to their visa interview by at least one parent. The applicant’s parent is required to provide the original birth certificate.
Which website is the definitive source of visa information?
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs websiteand Consular Post websites are the definitive sources of visa information. Should there be discrepancies in content, the Consular Affairs website and Consular Post websites take precedence.
Does the Department of Homeland Security waive the interview requirement for nonimmigrant visas?
Secretary Blinken, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification. Previously, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 24 months were eligible for an interview waiver. The Secretary has temporarily extended the expiration period to 48 months.
Why is my US visa application rejected?
Most often, applications for US visas are rejected because of incomplete documentation or because they are suspicious of the applicant’s intent in the US. When your US visa application is denied, you have the option to apply for an Ineligibility Waiver.
When do visa officers inform you of the outcome of your application?
Sometimes, the visa officers will inform you about the outcome of your application as soon as your visa interview ends. Other times, you go home after the interview and wait to be notified.
What Is the Validity of a Renewed US Visa?
In most cases, you will receive a new visa with the same validity and conditions as your expired visa.
What to do after renewing a visa?
After you submit your documents for visa renewal, you have to go to the US embassy and sit for an interview with a visa officer. They will ask you questions about your trip, the reason you are applying for the visa, as well as more personal information, such as your salary and relationships. They will ask you anything that will help them make a decision.
What is the form for a US visa?
The application form for US visas is called Form DS-160, and it is the same online form for all non-immigrant visas and US visa renewals. You can complete Form DS-160 in one of the following methods:
Where to inquire about interview waiver?
Inquire with the Visa Application Center or the US Embassy about the possibility of an interview waiver.
How long does a passport have to be valid?
Your passport. It has to be valid for at least another six months from the time you plan to leave the US. Any previous passports that have an expired US visa in them. Two passport-size pictures, in line with the US visa photo requirements. Not the same ones you used in your original application.
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.
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 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.
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.
