Visitor
Visa
Applicants
for any type of non-immigrant (ie visitor visa)to
the United States must show that they qualify under
provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The presumption
in the law is that every visa applicant is an intending
immigrant. Therefore, applicants for these visas must
overcome this presumption by demonstrating the following:
- The purpose of their trip
is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or
medical treatment;
- That they plan to remain for
a specific, limited period;
- Evidence of funds to cover
expenses in the United States;
- Evidence of compelling social
and economic ties abroad; and
- That they have a residence
outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties
which will insure their return abroad at the end
of the visit.
Whether you
are seeking a
travel visa for business or for pleasure, or
for your
newlywed spouse or
fiance(e) , or
to study (F Visa), for work such as the
R visa (Religious worker visa), the
TN visa (NAFTA worker),
J visas (Cultural Exchange Visitor),
Q visas (Disney Visa), or for special circumstances
such as the
U visa (visa for victims of crimes),
VAWA visa (visa for victims of domestic abuse),
or
T visa (visa for victims of human trafficking)
applicants must demonstrate that they are properly
classifiable as visitors under U.S. law.
Our site
also includes valuable information referring to the
process and the requirements for the following visas:
- 1. Australian (E-3) Specialty
Occupation Visa
- 2. Diplomats and Governmental
Officials
- 3.
Media and Journalists(I Visa)
- 4. International Organizations
and NATO
- 5. Chile Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) Professional
- 6. Border Crossing Card- Mexican
Travelers
- 7.
Diversity Visa Lottery
We have even
provided information on how Americans can obtain a
Visitor visa to go to other countries. For example,
see our page describing how you can apply for an
India Visa.
Read our site
to find a full list of
US Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visas.
Where Do I Apply
for a Visitor Visa?
Applicants
for these visas should generally apply at the American
Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their
place of permanent residence. Although visitor visa
applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad,
it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside
the country of permanent residence.
What documentation
is Required To Apply for My Visitor Visa?
Each applicant
for a visitor visa must submit these forms and documentation
to the US Embassy where his or her interview is scheduled,
and submit fees as explained below:
- An application, Nonimmigrant
Visa Application, Form DS-156, completed and signed.
The DS-156 must be the March 2006 date, electronic
"e-form application." Select
Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-156
to access the electronic version of the DS-156.
- Supplemental Nonimmigrant
Visa Application, Form DS-157 provides additional
information about your travel plans. Submission
of this completed form is required for all
male applicants between 16-45 years of age. It
is also required for all applicants from state
sponsors of terrorism age 16 and over, irrespective
of gender, without exception. Six countries are
now designated as state sponsors of terrorism,
including North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran,
and Libya. Select
Special Processing Procedures to learn more.
You should know that a consular officer may require
any nonimmigrant visa applicant to complete this
form. Here is
Form, DS-157 .
- A passport valid for travel
to the United States and with a validity date
at least six months beyond the applicant's intended
period of stay in the United States. If more than
one person is included in the passport, each person
desiring a visa must make an application: One
(1) 2x2 photograph. See the required photo format
explained in
Nonimmigrant Photograph Requirements .
What are the
Required Fees for application of a visitor visa?
- Nonimmigrant visa application
processing fee - Each applicant for a visitor
visa must pay a nonrefundable US $100 nonimmigrant
visa application processing fee.
- Visa issuance fee –
Additionally, if the visa is issued, there will
be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee,
if applicable. Please consult the
Visa Reciprocity Tables to find out if you
must pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what
the fee amount is.
If there is
a fee for issuance for the visa, it is equal as nearly
as possible to the fee charged to United States citizens
by the applicant's country of nationality.
Additional Information
About Your Visa Status
Also read through
website to learn more about how you can
extend your visa status or
change your visa status to that of another visa,
and even find out whether you are
ineligible to obtain a visa . |
