Tourist Visas
Tourist Visas to the United States
Applying for a US Visa
Do I need a visa to get to the United States?
Countries participating in Visa Waiver Program...
Any foreigner who is planning to arrive in the United States must confirm whether or not he/she needs to apply for a visa. You may not need to apply for a new US visa if you already hold a valid US visa or are a national of a Visa Waiver Program (allowing to enter the USA without a visa) from participating country.
If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program or are traveling to study, work, participate in an exchange program, or any other purpose that does not fall under a B visa purpose of travel, you will need a nonimmigrant visa.
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. A visa simply indicates that a US consular officer has determined that you are eligible to apply for entry to the US for a specific purpose.
If you need to apply for a nonimmigrant visa, please follow the steps below.
How to Apply for a US Visa abroad?
- Pay the visa application fee
- Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form
- Schedule your appointment online. You will need to know:
- Your passport number
- Your MRV fee payment receipt number
- The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page
- Visit the US Embassy/Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You will need to take a printed copy of your appointment letter, your DS-160 confirmation page, one recent photograph, your current passport and all old passports. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.
What is a Nonimmigrant Visa?
A nonimmigrant visa is used by tourists, business people, students, or specialty workers who wish to stay for a particular period of time in the United States to accomplish specific purposes. According to US visa laws and regulations, most nonimmigrant visa applicants must demonstrate to the consular officer that they have strong ties to their country of residence and must demonstrate to the consular officer that they have strong ties to their country of residence and must show that they intend to depart the United States after their temporary stay.
What is an Immigrant Visa?
Immigrant Visas (IV) are for persons who plan to live permanently in the United States as legal permanent residents (with Green Cards). The immigrant visa permits an application for admission to the United States as a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) and is a potential step toward acquiring United States Citizenship. Most immigrant visa applications are filed by close family members who are US citizens or legal permanent residents on behalf of the intending immigrant. It is also possible for a US employer to file a petition for a foreign national whom the employer wishes to hire for an eligible permanent position.
Do I need to pay for a US visa?
Visa applicants, including children, are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable visa application fee, sometimes referred to as the MRV fee, before applying for a nonimmigrant visa. The visa application fee must be paid whether a visa is issued or not. The type of visa for which you apply determines the fee amount. This webpage lists via application fees associated with each nonimmigrant visa type.
Please note that some application fees for nonimmigrant visas are paid to the US Embassy. Other visa fees that are paid directly to the National Visa Center, to the US embassy/Consulate, or to the Department of Homeland Security.
How to pay for a US visa?
Although fees are listed in US dollars, payment must be made using local currency.
How to schedule an appointment with a US Embassy or Consulate?
Your visa application fee is non-refundable and you cannot transfer it to another person. You will receive a receipt after paying the application fee. This receipt is valid for one year from the date of payment and allows you to schedule your interview at the US embassy/Consulate. You must schedule your interview while the receipt is valid, which means your interview must be booked within one year of paying your fee. If you do not schedule an interview within a year of payment then your receipt will expire, you will not be able to schedule an interview, and you must pay the fee again and begin the process anew. For more information log on to http://www.usembassy.gov/ or http://www.ustraveldocs.com
