how to know if i need a visa

Find out if you need a visa. 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.

Full Answer

What do you need to know about applying for a visa?

You must meet all legal requirements of the visa for which you are applying. The consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply will determine your visa eligibility and the visa category suitable for your purpose of travel, based on U.S. immigration law.

How do I check the status of my visa application?

Check the Status of a Visa Application. 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).

Do you need a new visa when you get a passport?

Once you have a new passport, the Department of State recommends that you apply for a new U.S. visa to make it easier for you to travel to and from the United States. I changed my name. Is my U.S. visa with my old name still valid?

Do you have to go to the consulate for a visa?

U.S. law generally requires visa applicants to be interviewed by a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. After relevant information is reviewed, the application is approved or denied, based on standards established in U.S. law.

At what point do I need a visa?

Why Do I Need a Visa to Travel? Visas are necessary if you'd like to travel to a country that does not have a visa policy in place with your home country. Many countries have visa policies and agreements that allow their citizens to travel freely between them without the need for a visa.

How do you check if I need a visa for a country?

The easiest and most accurate is using the search feature on iVisa, where you input your citizenship and the country you're visiting, and it'll tell you whether or not you need to apply for a visa and for how long it is valid. iVisa is a service that makes the visa application process as easy as possible.

How do I know if I am eligible for a U.S. visa?

You must meet all legal requirements of the visa for which you are applying. The consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply will determine your visa eligibility and the visa category suitable for your purpose of travel, based on U.S. immigration law.

Do you need a visa to travel or just a passport?

A passport is required in most cases when you enter a foreign country. A visa is not required when there is a visa facilitation agreement between two countries. A passport is usually valid for 5 to 10 years. A visa is usually valid for a few days to a few months.

What are the 4 types of visas?

Which type of visa do you need? Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.

Which countries can travel to USA without visa?

As of 2021, nationals of 40 countries and territories are eligible for visa-free entry into the United States under the VWP:Andorra.Australia.Austria.Belgium.Brunei.Chile.Croatia.Czech Republic.More items...

How much is a visa to USA?

Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190.

How much does a 10 year U.S. visa cost?

How much does a U.S. Multiple Entries Visa R B1/B2 cost? The cost for U.S. 10 YEAR MULTIPLE VISA FEES AND APPLICATION R B1/B2 is USD 160.00. NOTE : Additional fees may be added by the United States government after you receive your visa and interview.

How long does it take to get visa?

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.

Why would you need a visa?

Having a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port of entry, airport or land border crossing, and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the United States.

How long does a visa last?

Usually 6 months. In addition, you can apply for extension of stay for another 6 months. Reason for extension must be consistent with the terms and conditions of your original status. Such type of visa is normally issued up from a period of 1 month to 10 years.

Which passport is the strongest in the world?

JapanJapan has the world's most powerful passport - providing hassle-free entry to 193 countries. Just one country short, Singapore and South Korea are tied in second place, according to the latest Henley Passport Index from Henley & Partners, an immigration consultancy.

Do I need a visa for Europe?

You do not need a visa for short trips to EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if both of the following apply: you're staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period. you're visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons.

Do you need visa for Mexico?

Visas. If you're visiting Mexico as a tourist you don't need a visa, but you'll need to complete an immigration form and have this with you when you enter and leave Mexico.

Do I need visa for Italy?

All Schengen, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are free to travel to Italy without a visa if their travel does not exceed 90 days.

How do I find my visa information?

Check the Status of a 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).

Who determines your visa eligibility?

The consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply will determine your visa eligibility and the visa category suitable for your purpose of travel, based on U.S. immigration law. Please note that multiple Presidential Proclamations issued as result of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic may also affect your eligibility for a visa.

What is visa wizard?

This Visa Wizard is a guide to help foreign citizens understand which visa category might be appropriate for their travel to the United States.

Does the visa wizard include every visa?

immigration law. Note: The Visa Wizard includes the most common visas, but does not include every visa.

Where to reapply for a visa if it has been damaged?

If your visa has been damaged in any way, you will need to reapply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

How long does it take to get a visa if it is refused?

The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later. Learn more.

What is an indefinite visa?

Indefinite validity visas (Burroughs Visas) are tourist/business visas manually stamped into a traveler’s passport which were valid for ten years. Effective April 1, 2004, all indefinite validity Burroughs visas became void. Therefore, if you have an indefinite validity visa you must apply for a new visa for travel to the U.S.

What happens if I lose my passport?

If your passport with your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 are lost or stolen, you must get them replaced immediately. There are a number of steps you need to take, learn more, see Lost and Stolen Passports, Visas, and Form I-94s.

What to do if your name has been changed?

If your name has legally changed through marriage, divorce, or a court ordered name change, you will need to obtain a new passport. Once you have a new passport, the Department of State recommends that you apply for a new U.S. visa to make it easier for you to travel to and from the United States. I changed my name.

When did the Department of State update its immigrant visa application forms?

On May 31, 2019, the Department of State updated its immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms to request additional information, including social media identifiers, from most U.S. visa applicants worldwide. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Can a foreigner enter the US with a visa?

A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, but allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad, to travel to the United States port-of entry (generally an airport or land border) and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine how long a traveler may stay. At the port of entry, upon granting entry to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. immigration inspector, provides you an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record in your passport. On this admission stamp or paper form, the U.S. immigration inspector records either a date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. Your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 is very important to keep in your passport, since it shows your permission to be in the United States. Review information about Admission on the CBP Website. Also, see Duration of Stay.

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.

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.

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.

Do you have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

What happens if you don't have a visa?

Well, if you don’t have a visa when you need one that’s a problem. You’ll be turned away at the border. You’ll miss all the wonderful sights. The trip will be ruined. A plague of locust will descend upon the earth. Ok not that last one, but that was for emphasis—you need a visa! Don’t travel illegally and don’t end up stranded in an airport a la The Terminal. Yes, you might consider yourself a “citizen of the world” but explaining that to the border agents probably won’t work in your favor. Do your homework and get a visa.

How long is a tourist visa good for?

They are usually good for anywhere between 30 days to 3 months and you are not allowed to work when on a tourist visa.

How many countries can an American travel to?

The American passport is pretty powerful— Americans can travel as tourists to 174 countries visa free ! But that leaves roughly 21 countries that Americans need visas to visit (and there are territories and regions where you might need special permission...it gets complicated.)

What are the different types of visas?

3. There are different types of visas 1 Tourist Visa. Americans don’t need tourist visas for many countries, and for some of the places where you do need it you can buy them at the border or the airport. They are usually good for anywhere between 30 days to 3 months and you are not allowed to work when on a tourist visa. The requirements vary, but are more lax than if you were going for a longer stay. 2 Student Visa. The travel visa requirements for a student are more stringent. You will need some sort of documentation from the study program or university where you are studying, and usually proof of financial means, maybe a background check, and more. Your program or university should have tips for international students. If not, ask! 3 Work/Working Holiday Visa. For working visas you often have to be sponsored by a company. For the working holiday visas there is usually an age restriction (under 30 is common). Again, the application process is more extensive for these visas and usually includes background checks and proof of insurance. Without a working visa, you’re probably not allowed to do anything that would earn you money, although a student visa can allow you to work a certain amount of hours. And some countries don’t mind if you are earning a “living stipend” and not on a working visa. If you’re going with a program they can help direct you to the right visa! (If they can’t, maybe rethink that program, honestly).

How much does it cost to get a student visa?

Depending on the visa, it could be $50 or hundreds of dollars (especially to apply for a student visa). Make sure you budget for that! For student and work visas there’s often an application fee which you do not get back if your application is rejected. Not to mention the cost of getting photos done or applying to or renewing your passport if you need that. Just another reason to give yourself the time to have all your ducks and documents in a row. And another cost is….

How to get a passport if you don't have a passport?

Don’t have a passport? Start at the Department of State website. It can take a while, so make sure to get started early (that’s a theme you’ll notice with anything international visa related). Fill out your form, gather your documents, take photos (professionally is sometimes better), figure out how your fees (it can be a little pricey) and send all that in! You’ll feel really cool with a brand new shiny passport. Think of all the stamps and memories that will fill it soon!

What to do if there is unrest in the country you are visiting?

While you’re at it, check out the State Department travel warnings, just in case there is unrest in the country you will be visiting. Don’t play the hero (unless you are actually a humanitarian worker or something). Heed the warnings and stay safe.

What is an airport transit visa?

An airport transit visa obliges you to remain in the international zone of the French airport. If you have to change airport or leave the international zone, you must apply for a short-stay visa. For more information on the airport transit visa (ATA), Transit passenger. France does not have a special service for visas in the selected country.

Is the visa wizard legally binding?

Please note : the results displayed by the visa wizard are not legally-binding.

Does France have a Schengen visa?

France does not deliver a Schengen visas in the selected country. You can apply for a long-stay or short-stay visa to a French overseas territory. Click < here > for more information. Close.

Does France have a visa service?

France does not have a special service for visas in the selected country. Please click here for more information. The visa type search pages are not available in XXX, but they are available in English, Spanish and French. You may change the language if it does not suit you.

Who can provide information on visa applications?

Certain information can be provided to U.S. sponsors, attorneys representing visa applicants, members of Congress, or other persons acting on behalf of and with the permission of applicants. ALL / ALL /.

Where to contact if you are applying for a visa?

You should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you applied.

What is INA visa?

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) contains provisions that may allow a visa applicant who was denied a visa for a particular ineligibility to apply for a waiver of that ineligibility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adjudicates all waivers of ineligibility. Waivers are discretionary, meaning that there are no guarantees that DHS will approve a waiver for you. If the waiver is approved, you may be issued a visa.

Why is my visa denied?

An application may be denied because the consular officer does not have all of the information required to determine if the applicant is eligible to receive a visa, because the applicant does not qualify for ...

What do consular officers look for in visa interviews?

While conducting visa interviews, consular officers look at each application individually and consider the applicant's circumstances, travel plans, financial resources, and ties outside of the United States that will ensure the applicant’s departure after a temporary visit.

Where do I mail a waiver for a K visa?

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Lockbox facility, with few exceptions. Learn more on the USCIS website.

What happens if you are denied a visa?

If denied a visa, in most cases the applicant is notified of the section of law which applies.

Long term residents

People who migrated to Australia before 1990 and have not travelled out of Australia might not have a record in VEVO. You can apply to have a record created. You can then use VEVO to prove you have a permanent visa.

List of conditions for a visa

For each visa, find which conditions always apply, and which may apply depending on a range of criteria such as your country of origin.

What happens if a visa is approved?

At this point in time, the employee can start the actual Visa application process in their home country, with the US Embassy.

How long does it take for a visa to be approved?

This takes some time, depending upon the total number of pending cases with the USCIS. Sometimes, it takes months for the application to be processed.

Who Can Sponsor a Visa?

Ideally, getting a Visa sponsorship is possible only when you have a working job offer in your name from a US company. In other terms, the employer would sponsor the Visa and submit related documents on your behalf. But they can make the sponsorship only in certain situations.

What is visa sponsoring?

Visa Sponsorship is a set of documents which states and guarantees working status and job profile within the United States. Ideally, if you are looking to relocate to the US, you would need to find a job, and the employer, in turn, has to be willing to hire a non-resident employee for the particular job profile.

How long does a sponsor visa last?

For instance, if you opt for an Immigrant Visa, it is a permanent solution. This effectively means you are a Green Card holder with a validity of 10 years, followed by unlimited extensions. You can also apply for permanent citizenship after five years of your stay in the United States.

How much does a visa sponsorship cost?

In general, a visa sponsorship costs approximately $4000 but may cost $8-9,000 if a company has more than fifty employees and 50% of those employees are foreign nationals.

Can a non-immigrant sponsor a green card?

This is valid for individuals who are only temporarily moving to the country. This means Non-immigrant visa holders are not eligible for Green Cards, indicating that the Visa does not qualify for US citizenship later.

How to convince an immigration officer to leave Canada?

convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country. convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit. have enough money for your stay.

Why are some people not allowed to enter Canada?

You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in: criminal activity. human rights violations. organized crime. You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.