(Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit. In this situation, when planning travel abroad, learn about visa requirements by country, see country information in the International Travel Section section of this website.)
How to apply for an US tourist visa?
These are the steps you should take:
- Find out if you need a visa. Check to see if your country participates in the U.S. ...
- Determine which visa you might need for your visit. Most business and tourism travelers use B-1 and B-2 visitor visas. ...
- Apply for a visa.
How much does a tourist visa cost?
- Immediate Relative or Family Preference Immigration Applications cost 325.00 USD in addition to the petition
- Employment-Based Immigration Applications cost 345.00 USD in addition to the petition
- Other immigration applications (such as self-petitioning) cost 205.00 USD
- K visa for a fiancé or spouse of a US citizen costs 265.00 USD
How do I apply for a tourist visa?
- A passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of your intended visit
- Your passport must have at least TWO unused page for entry / departure endorsements
- A completed Form BI-84 (application for a visa)
- Payment of the prescribed fee
- A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (if required)
What countries have visa waiver?
- State of Palestine – Reciprocal visa waiver agreement signed on Oct 12, 2021 in Belgrade by Hon Mark Brantley
- Gabon – Visa waiver agreement signed on Oct 11, 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia
- Burkina Faso – Reciprocal visa waiver signed on Oct 11, 2021 in Belgrade.
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 an expedited visa appointment?
All applicants requesting an expedited appointment are required to first pay visa fees for a regular visa appointment. Applicants who are granted an expedited appointment but subsequently refused a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will not be allowed to utilize this option to obtain another expedited appointment.
How long does it take to get a B1 visa in the US?
The average wait time in the US Consulate Lome for a B1/B2 visa is about 7 days; however, wait times fluctuate throughout the year. To avoid missing your planned trip, we advise applicants to apply at least one month in advance of their scheduled departure.
What is a B visa?
The “B” Visitor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), or temporarily for pleasure (B-2).
How long does a passport have to be valid?
A valid passport for traveling to the U.S. – your passport must be valid at least six months beyond the period of your travel to the United States. If you are traveling with family, each person must have a separate visa application. Your passport cannot have mistakes concerning the name, age, gender, or place of birth.
What is the purpose of travel for funerals?
When the purpose of travel is to attend the funeral of or make arrangements for repatriating the body of an immediate family member (mother, father, brother, sister, child,) in the United States.
Can you store cell phones at the US embassy?
Other than the one allowed cell phone, the US Embassy will not accept the storage of any of the above prohibited items. Only visa applicants with confirmed appointments will be granted access to the Embassy. Accompanying persons may be required to wait outside the Embassy entrance.
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 the visa for a foreigner?
visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship or nationality .
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 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.
What is consular section?
The consular section is processing nonimmigrant visas in the below limited circumstances and according to capacity:
When are immigrant visa interviews scheduled?
Applicants petitioned by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPR), to include fiancées of U.S. citizens, whose immigrant visa interviews were scheduled between March 22, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and subsequently canceled due to the closure of routine visa services on March 22, 2020.
What is the immigration visa unit?
For Immigrant Visa Applicants: The Immigrant Visa Unit is interviewing immigrant visa applicants in all visa categories. While the appointment availability remains restricted by public health conditions, the Immigrant Visa Unit is currently scheduling visa appointments while prioritizing the following:
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 is the Department of State?
The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States. We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known. Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.
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.
How long does it take to respond to a visa request?
We try to respond to most inquiries and to answer most letters within 7 business days. However, we are currently experiencing a high volume of visa inquiries, and our response time may be delayed. All correspondence and requests will be processed in the order they are received. We will not respond to duplicate inquiry cases so please refrain from sending multiple requests or follow-ups as it will slow down our response time.
Is a visa application confidential?
Under United States law, visa records are confidential. We will only respond to visa inquiries from the applicant, petitioner, or their legal representative with a signed Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative). In cases of minor applicants, inquiries will be entertained if they come from one or both parents of the concerned.
