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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 Can I Use a Visa to Enter the United States?

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. While having a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States, it does indicate a consular officer at a U.S.

What Types of Visas Are There?

The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. There are two main categories of U.S. visas:

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What is a visa required?

Visa required. Visa required means that prior to travel, you must apply for a visa. This may require filling out forms, providing documents, and paying fees. It must be completed and approved prior to departure.

What does "visa free" mean?

Visa-free means that you can travel to the destination country without the need for a travel visa. In such a case only a valid passport is required for entry and exit purposes.

What does "free visa on arrival" mean?

Free visa-on-arrival means that you must obtain a visa in order to enter the destination country, but it can be obtained upon arrival, and is provided free of charge.

How long does it take to get an evisa?

This eVisa is a simplified online visa application requiring submission of relevant personal information and according payment. It is usually issued within 3 days.

Is an evisa required at immigration checkpoint?

Online submission of personal information and payment is still required, and applicants may be subject to further questionnaires and interviews. Once approved, the eVisa is required at immigration checkpoint for verification.

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.

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 ).

How often do you update your biographical information on a Chinese passport?

In accordance with the agreement signed between the United States and China to extend visa validity, beginning on November 29, 2016, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 visas in Peoples’ Republic of China passports will be required to update their biographical and other information from their visa application via a website every two years, or upon getting a new passport or B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa, whichever occurs first. This mechanism is called EVUS - Electronic Visa Update System.

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.

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 evidence is needed to show the purpose of a trip?

Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.

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.

How to apply for a travel visa?

Using your preferred search engine, find the official government immigration website of the country you intend to visit. Once you’ve found and read all the information, including the visa application requirements, fill out the required travel visa application form. You may be able to send in the form electronically or you may be required to send it by mail. If your destination requires visa on arrival, then you don’t need to worry about applying for a travel visa beforehand. In this case, once you get to your destination you may be required to fill out a visa form and pay any applicable fees. Double check the requirements with the relevant website or consulate as you may need to bring a passport-sized photo as well.

What is a visa?

A visa is an official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country. The visa is usually stamped or glued into the bearer’s passport. There are several different types of visas, each of which afford the bearer different rights in the host country.

What is a student visa?

A student visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows the bearer to enrol at a postsecondary educational institution in the host country. High school foreign exchange students must typically obtain a visa for temporary residence.

Why do countries have visa restrictions?

Countries have visa restrictions in order to check and control the flow of visitors in and out of the country and to prevent illegal immigration and other criminal activities. Forcing travellers to apply for a visa allows the authorities to vet potential visitors. For example, individuals may attempt to travel to a country with better economic ...

How long does it take to get a visa for Canada?

For example, visa applications from Russia to visit Canada take approximately 8 days to process, while Canadians looking to travel to India are advised to submit visa applications at least 15 days in advance.

How much does it cost to get a visa?

For example, visa application fees for visas to the U.S. start at US$160.

What is business visa?

What Is a Business Visa? A business visa allows the bearer to enter the host country and engage in business activities without joining that country’s labour market. For example, an individual may require a business visa if they are travelling to a country to do business with another company or if they are attending a business conference.

How to get a Brazilian visa?

Brazil visas must be obtained well in advance of departure from a Brazilian Consulate. They are issued as a sticker placed onto a page of your valid passport. Brazil maintains 10 consulates in the US, including the Embassy in Washington, DC, and you must apply at the consulate that has jurisdiction over your state of residence. Processing times for Brazilian visas can be very lengthy at some consulates, so plan ahead! The assistance of a visa service is recommended for the most efficient processing. Once issued, your Brazil tourist or business visit visa will be valid for multiple entries over a 10 year period. You can continue to use your valid Brazil visa even after the passport it is in has expired!

Do I need a visa to go to Bali?

Vacationing in Bali? You’ll need a visa. Visas are available on arrival at international airports in Indonesia, or you can apply in advance at an Indonesian Consulate in the US. You’ll need to apply at the consulate that has authority over your state of residence, and every consulate has a slightly different visa application.

Does China require a visa?

Like Brazil, China requires that travelers must apply for their visa at the correct Chinese Consulate based on their state of residence. US citizens traveling for tourism or business are usually issued multiple-entry visas valid for 10 years.