Group Visas
- The group consists of 5 or more non-family members.
- All applicants in the group are following the same travel itinerary (destination (s) and departure and arrival dates).
- The purpose of travel is to participate in a specific cultural, conference, sports or "sweet fifteen-trip" event, or group members are applying for O or P visa classes with an ...
What is a US visa?
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. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa ...
Can more than one person apply for a group visa?
Overview Five or more applicants applying for the same purpose of travel or visa classification, and will travel on the same date are encouraged to apply together as a group. To request a Group Appointment, follow the steps in our Group Appointment website.
Can a group coordinator attend a visa interview alone?
He or she must attend the visa interview alone. If the group's applicants are applying under an approved I-797 petition, such as H2A, H2B, or H3 visa applicants, in Step Two the group coordinator must upload a legible copy of the approved I-797 as part of the request.
What are the different categories of nonimmigrant visa?
Nonimmigrant Visa Categories Purpose of Travel Visa Category Required: Before applying for visa* Victim of Criminal Activity U USCIS Victim of Human Trafficking T USCIS Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Chi ... V (NA) Renewals in the U.S. - A, G, and NATO Vi ... (NA) 31 more rows ...
Who can apply to group appointment U.S. visa?
Group of 10 or more individuals travelling together may request a group appointment. Examples of groups include, but are not limited to, performing artists, school trips, professional trainees and tour groups. Families and relatives travelling together do not qualify as a group and must request individual appointments.
What is group tourist visa?
1) Foreign tourists in groups of four or more, arriving by air or sea, sponsored by Indian Travel Agencies approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and with a pre-drawn itinerary may be granted collective landing permit for a period not exceeding 60 days, with multiple-entry facility to enable them to ...
How many types of visa are there for USA?
Nonimmigrant Visa CategoriesPurpose of TravelVisa CategoryTemporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature.H-2BTourism, vacation, pleasure visitorB-2Training in a program not primarily for employmentH-3Treaty trader/treaty investorE31 more rows
How do I apply for a group visa appointment?
How to Apply. Each group member must complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form and print the confirmation page. A designated group coordinator may use the online appointment system to click on the Group Scheduling Request button to request a group appointment.
What are the 4 types of visa?
Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.
How can I schedule a group appointment for US visa in India?
ProcedureSubmit Request. Submit a group appointment request. ... Response. The email response can have one of the two outcomes: ... Visa Fees. Each member of the group must pay the visa application fee, individually or as a bulk fee payment.Application Form. ... Schedule an Appointment. ... Visit the VAC Location. ... Interview.
Which visa is best for USA?
For those planning a visit to the US, the B-2 visa is the best option. This visa will also apply to those wishing to seek medical treatment in the country. For IT workers and most other professionals, the H-1B has been the visa of choice.
Which type of US visa is easy to get?
For many, a "B" visitor visa is the easiest and most appropriate one to get. (See 8 U.S. Code §? 1101.) The B visa a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2).
Which visa allows you to work in USA?
Visa Classifications That Allow You To Work In The United StatesVisa ClassificationDefinitionF-1Foreign academic student, when certain conditions are metH-1B, H-1C, H-2A, H-2B, H-3Temporary workerIForeign information media representativeJ-1Exchange visitor, when certain conditions are met10 more rows
Can a family apply for US visa together?
This means your family member does not need to wait in line for a visa. Immediate relatives who are in the United States can file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status at the same time as Form I-130.
How can I get early US visa appointment?
For such travel, please schedule regular visa appointment well in advance....Pay the visa application fee.Schedule an appointment online for the earliest available date. ... If the Embassy approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your expedited appointment online.More items...
Can a couple apply for US visa together?
A spouse is a legally wedded husband or wife. Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents, along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Merely living together does not qualify a marriage for immigration.
What is difference between B1 and B2 visa?
B1 and B2 visas are generally referred to as “B visas”, and they are the most common types of visa issued for a wide range of uses in the United States. The B1 visa is issued mainly for short-term business trips, while the B2 visa is issued mainly traveling for tourism purposes.
What does visa Type R B1 B2 mean?
temporary visa for business and tourismThe U.S. nonimmigrant visa Type B1/B2 is a temporary visa for business and tourism. When you see 'R B1/B2' as your Visa Type, the letter 'R' simply means a regular visa instead of a Diplomat or other visa type. If you are traveling for temporary business, it may be conducted with a U.S. B1 Visa.
Should I apply for B1 B2 or B2?
The main difference between a B1 and a B2 visa is that a B1 visa is issued for business reasons and the B2 permit is for tourism purposes to the US....B1 vs B2 Visa.B1 visaB2 visaOrganize independent research.Go to recreational resorts.Buy business-related materials and supplies.Receive medical treatment.4 more rows
How long is a B1 B2 visa valid for?
10 yearsThe US B1/B2 Tourist visa is valid for 10 years after issue. It means that after that time, you will need to renew your B1/B2 Visa if you want to stay in the United States long-term again. Also, it allows you to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of 180 days Per Entry.
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.
Who selects the approved group appointment request corresponding to the correct group?
The group coordinator selects the approved group appointment request corresponding to the correct group, as in the example below:
How long does it take to get a group request approved?
Once the group request has been approved, the group has a limited time to complete steps one through six. Typically, it is a timeframe of seven days, but the group coordinator should refer to the confirmation received by email. In case the request expires, the group coordinator must start over and submit a new request
How does a designated group coordinator work?
A designated group coordinator uses the online appointment system to click onto request a group appointment.
Can you travel with family members on the same date?
Five or more applicants applying for the same purpose of travel or visa classification, and will travel on the same date are encouraged to apply together as a group. To request a Group Appointment, follow the steps in our Group Appointment website. Examples of groups include but are not limited to sports team, school groups, groups travelling for competitions, and service organizations. Family members traveling together do not qualify for group appointments.
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. When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate.
What is a K visa?
K nonimmigrant visas – For U.S. citizen fiancé (e) and spouse for immigration related purposes. Refer to Immigrant Visa Categories.
What does a consular officer determine when applying for a visa?
When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate. ALL / ALL /.
How to apply for a group visa?
How to Apply. Step 1. Each group member must complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form and print the confirmation page. Step 2. A designated group coordinator may use the online appointment system to click on the Group Scheduling Request button to request a group appointment. It is not possible to submit a request ...
What are some examples of groups?
Examples of groups include, but are not limited to, professional trainees, performance troops and tour groups. A group (or family) with less than 10 applicants is not considered a group and must schedule a regular appointment. All group appointment requests must contain a list (of at least 10) of the each applicant’s name ...
What happens if a group request expires?
In case the request expires, the group coordinator must submit a new request.
What is a group coordinator?
The group coordinator selects the approved group appointment request corresponding to the correct group. If the group coordinator frequently schedules group appointments, it is important to select the correct group request.
Who completes DS-160?
Each applicant must complete his or her own Form DS-160. The group coordinator may complete the rest of the process on behalf of the group.
Can a call center agent cancel a group appointment?
A call center agent cannot schedule group appointments, but they are able to assist with questions. If the appointment is canceled for one member of the group it is canceled for the entire group. Visa Types and U.S. Dollar Application Fee Amounts - Sorted by Visa Type. Visa Type.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
You must be an artist entering the United States through a government recognized reciprocal exchange program. At the present time, five P-2 reciprocal agreements have been negotiated between the following organizations:
Application Process
In order for you to qualify for a P-2 Visa, a sponsoring labor organization in the United States, or your U.S. employer must file Form I-129, Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker. For more information about the Form 129, see the “Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker” page.
Applying for a Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Once the visa petition is approved, you can apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate. For more information on visa application processing and issuance fees, see the "Department of State's, travel.state.gov" page.
Change of Employer
You may change employers, but only after your new employer has filed a new Form I-129 with USCIS requesting permission to employ you and extend your stay. You may not commence employment with the new employer until the Form I-129 has been approved.
Family of P-2 Visa Holders
Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may obtain P-4 status. Your dependents may not engage in employment, but may attend school or college.
Essential Support Personnel
Essential support personnel who are an integral part of the performance of a P-2 artist or entertainer and who perform support services that cannot be readily performed by a U.S. worker, are eligible for P-2 classification.
P-3 Artist or Entertainer Coming to Be Part of a Culturally Unique Program
The P-3 classification applies to you if you are coming temporarily to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique.
Eligibility Criteria
For a P-3 visa, you must be coming to the United States either individually or as a group for the purpose of developing, interpreting, representing, coaching, or teaching a unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation.
Application Process
Your U.S. employer, agent, or sponsoring organization must submit Form I-129, Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker. For more information about the Form I-129, see the Form 1-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker page.
Supporting Documents
Affidavits, testimonials or letters from recognized experts attesting to the authenticity of your or your group's skills in performing, presenting, coaching, or teaching the unique and traditional art forms and giving the credentials of the expert including the basis of his or her knowledge of your or your group’s skills; OR documentation that your or your group’s performance is culturally unique as evidenced by reviews in newspapers, journals or other published materials..
Change of Employer
You may change employers, but only after your new employer has filed a new Form I-129 with USCIS requesting permission to employ you and extend your stay. You may not commence employment with the new employer until the Form I-129 has been approved.
Family of P-3 Visa Holders
Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may obtain P-4 status. Your dependents may not engage in employment, but may attend school or college.
Essential Support Personnel
Essential support personnel who are an integral part of the performance of a P-3 artist or entertainer and who perform support services that cannot be readily performed by a U.S. worker, are eligible for P-3 classification. Support personnel may include coaches, scouts, trainers, and other team officials and referees.
How long can you travel without a visa?
You must apply for ESTA to visit the continental U.S., Hawaii, and other U.S. islands for up to 90 days without a visa.#N#If you have not obtained ESTA, then you will not be able to board your flight on the planned departure date. Even if somehow you were able to board your flight, you might be denied entry and forced to return to your home country in immigration screening after reaching the U.S.#N#For both group and individual applications, you will receive notice of ESTA application results a few days after applying if there was no problem with the content of the application. In some cases, ESTA screening results may even be received on the same day. However, if there is a discrepancy in the application information for even one member of your family or group, then it could result in problems such as not being permitted to enter the U.S., ruining the travel plans for everybody in the party. Begin preparing to obtain ESTA soon after you have decided on your travel plans. Although you do not need to apply for ESTA to visit Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands, we recommend doing so because having ESTA can help immigration screening procedures go more smoothly and shorten waiting times.
Can you apply for a group of applications at the same time?
An application for a group must be submitted at the same time for all members of the group. However, all the members of the group do not need to travel to the same destination or on the same itinerary. Note that you cannot apply as a “Group of Applications” in a case in which, for example, one member of a family of four (the group representative) applies first and then an application for the other three members is submitted at a later date.
Does CBP accept ESTA?
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accepts ESTA applications for not only individual traveler but also groups and families traveling together. On this page, how to apply for ESTA as a group is described, along with answers to frequently asked questions regarding ESTA application as a group. Each of the nine sections below contains very important information. Please make sure to check the details and methods below and identify any points that require caution, to ensure that all members of your family or group can travel safely and smoothly.