Visiting
the United States
Millions of foreign
visitors travel to the United States each year for business or pleasure.
They come as tourists or to visit family and friends. Others come for
specific purposes, such as business, scientific, educational, or professional
conferences/conventions, training, or consulting with business associates.
Other foreign visitors come for diverse reasons, as examples, including
medical treatment, for voluntary programs conducted by charitable organizations,
as visiting ministers, or personal/domestic employees, under certain conditions.
Some foreign athletes and sports teams may come to the U.S. with visitors
visas. Most of these visitors need B-1/B-2 visitor visas to enter the
United States. Foreign visitors add greatly to our nation's cultural,
education and economic life. We welcome them.
What is a
visa?
A visa is permission to apply
to enter the United States. Foreign citizens must apply for a visa at
an American embassy or consulate abroad, when desiring to travel to the
United States. A consular officer decides whether you are qualified for
a visa. Citizens of certain countries may be able to travel without a
visa on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they meet certain conditions.
They must be travelling to the U.S. for business or tourism for a period
of not more than 90 days, have a round trip ticket, fly on certain air
carriers, and meet other requirements. (See online listing below and review
whether you can travel without a visa).
The visa allows a
foreign citizen to travel to a port-of-entry in the United States, such
as a international airport, a seaport or a land border crossing. At the
port-of-entry, an officer of the Department of Homeland Security decides
whether to allow you to enter and how long you can stay.
Visa Processing
Times - Information You Need to Know
What happened
after 9/11 -
- Recent changes
in United States visa policy and procedures may increase the amount
of time it takes for foreigners who want to visit, to obtain a visa.
It is important to apply early!
- Changes introduced
shortly after September 11, 2001 involve extensive and ongoing review
of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national security.
For many applicants, a personal appearance interview is required as
a standard part of visa processing. Visa applications are now subject
to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. This can cause longer
processing times. The State Department is working hard with
other government agencies to streamline clearance procedures in ways
that continue to protect United States borders, our first priority,
while facilitating legitimate travel.
When you are
thinking about travel -
- As soon as you
contemplate travel to the United States, and after identifying that
a visa is needed, you should contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for
information about current visa processing time estimates and processes.
- You can contact
the embassy or consulate via the Department of State internet site at
www.state.gov/links.html. Look for posted timeframes on the internet
or call the embassy/consulate to hear recorded information about visa
requirements.
How long does
it take to get a visa?
- Processing times
are difficult to predict for an individual applicant. For many applicants,
a personal appearance interview is required as a standard part of visa
processing. For travelers, the need for an interview will mean additional
coordination with the embassy or consulate, is required to schedule
an interview appointment. If additional processing is needed, visa applicants
are informed at the time they submit their applications. While most
additional processing takes 30 days or less, a small percentage may
take considerably longer.
- Advance planning
is a key ingredient for successfully having your visa when you want
it. If you wish to visit the U.S., plan to submit your visa application
well in advance of your departure date.
Getting Started
- Basics about obtaining your visitors visa
Please visit our internet
site at http://travel.state.gov/visa services.html for up-to-date visa
information.
- All visitor visa
applicants must have these things:
-
Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-156, completed and signed
- Current, valid passport or travel document
- Photograph (2 x 2 inches, passport type. See the internet address
below.)
- Application fees. All applicants must pay the application fee. Some
applicants, according to nationality and type of visa, must also pay
an issuance fee
- Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States
- Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad
- Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-157, for men between
16-45 years of age, and for all applicants age 16 and over who are from
Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Note that a consular
officer may ask any applicant to complete this form.
- Contact your nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate for specific information on:
- How to pay
fees
- How to get an appointment for an interview
- Visa operations at the embassy or consulate
- Information on the status of your visa application
Helpful Information
Department
of State - Internet Addresses
Telephone
Numbers
Visa Services public
information (Washington, DC): 202-663-1225
This provides general visa information via taped messages, with an option
to speak with an officer. The Embassy Consular section abroad is generally
your first point of contact to inquire about your visa application status.
Please refer to information available on all types of visas on the Visa
Services website.
October 2003 |