How To Get Your Visa For Usa

Make An Appointment With The Visa Application Centre

Make sure you allow enough time before your departure date to schedule an appointment to have your application reviewed.

Check on the average appointment waiting time to ensure that you are able to submit your application three months to two weeks prior to your departure date for a long stay visa, and 6 months to two weeks prior to your departure date for a short stay visa.

In most cases, the consular services use external service providers to receive visa applicants and collect their documents. The consular services nonetheless remain fully responsible for processing and making decisions on visa applications.

You will find all the necessary details to make an appointment on the country of application page.

Arrival From Canada Mexico The Caribbean And Bermuda

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative covers travel by land, sea, or air from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda:

• American citizens entering the U.S. must show a valid passport, U.S. passport card, a Trusted Traveler Program card , or an enhanced drivers license. If you have any questions, contact your carrier to find out if they require a specific document

• Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. need to show a Permanent Resident Card . A passport is not required.

• Citizens of Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda must present a valid passport from their country to travel to the U.S. by air. When traveling by land or sea, they must provide the necessary travel documents outlined by the Department of Homeland Security. Review the details for land and sea travel in the section titled What types of documents are accepted for entry into the United States via land and sea?

• Canadian citizens may use a NEXUS card instead of a passport to enter the U.S. by air, if they departed from Canada.

• Citizens of Mexico and Panama can apply for Global Entry membership. Find out if you are eligible to apply for Global Entry.

Esta Alternative To Visa

In case you wish to travel to the United States for touristic or professional reasons for a stay of less than 90 days, then we advise you to obtain an ESTA rather than a traditional visa. France is a partner country of the Visa Waiver Program , so you are entitled to this travel authorization which allows you to be exempt from visa. The benefits of ESTA are numerous:

If ESTA is better for you, simply go to the official US Customs website to begin the process.

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How To Apply For A Us Visa

Here’s everything you need to know about the US visa and how to apply for it.

Applying for a US visa can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation, it doesnt have to be. There are a few different types of US visas, and the application process will vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of how to apply for a US visa, so that you can be on your way to your dream destination in no time.

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Temporary Visitors To The United States Usually Need To Obtain An Entry Visa And The B Visas Are Most Common Here Is An Overview On The Process To Obtain One

A citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must, in most cases, first obtain a visa to do so. This can be either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.

For many, a “B” visitor visa is the easiest and most appropriate one to get. The B visa a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business or for pleasure or medical treatment . People planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose, such as to study, perform temporary work, act as journalists, and so forth, must apply for a different visa in the appropriate category.

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When You Apply For A Visa

There are significantly more visa applications during peak travel seasons. Consequently, the individual visa processing times increase during the summer and winter months.

Moreover, there is an increase in student visa applications during the months of summer.

That means that the usual waiting times for an interview appointment can increase to up to three weeks.

If you want to travel during these peak seasons, you should start your visa application process early enough. Due to their workload, the US consulates are not able to consider individual cases .

Entering The United States

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security , U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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.

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When To Apply For Your Usa Visa

We recommend that you begin your process at least several weeks before the date of your departure to be sure to obtain your USA visa in time. Indeed, you must fill out various forms, some of which are to be completed online, gather a large number of documents to build your file and bring everything to the Embassy during your interview. It is also necessary to take into account the processing time of your application which includes a thorough study of your file.

Once your appointment is over, you will need between 3 and 5 working days to receive your visa by mail.

Also anticipate your future better on the spot, especially for the long term, considering obtaining a social security number in the United States .

How To Obtain A Usa Visa

Whatever the reason for your stay, obtaining a visa for the USA is mandatory under immigration regulations in the United States. To obtain your visa, you must follow the procedure that includes a file and an interview at the US Embassy . During this interview, you will need to share the reasons you want to travel to the United States, the length of your stay, as well as various information about your personal situation, your health and your background. court.

The issuance of a visa is not taken lightly by the US government, so the interview at the embassy is a condition for a USA visa . Also, we advise you to introduce yourself by being prepared. Here are our tips:

• Plan to go there at least half an hour before the appointment to make sure you are not late
• Adopt a dress code suitable for the interview because the image you send back is essential
• Get your valid electronic or biometric passport
• Prepare your answers to any questions you may have during the interview
• Plan to pay the application fees corresponding to the type of visa you wish to obtain.

The period of validity and the price depend entirely on the type of visa you wish to obtain: 12 months and 150 dollars for an au-pair visa or a J-1 visa for an internship, 10 years and 400 dollars in the frame a B visa for example. Each request is studied on a case-by-case basis by the US government.

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Types Of Educational Visas

Your course of study, the school you plan to attend, or the exchange program you will be with will determine the type of student visa you will need.

The most common student visas are F-1 and M-1 visas.

• F-1 visa classification is for a full-time international student pursuing academic studies.
• M-1 visa classification is for a full-time international student pursuing vocational studies.

Learn more about studying in the U.S.

How Can I Apply For A Us Visa

As just mentioned every applicant has to go through several steps to finally get an approved visa. For example, certain work visas, such as L-1 or H-1B, require the U.S. employer to file a petition to get an Approval Notice. Only after this approval the consulate can process your visa application.

No matter what type of visa you apply for, you always have to go through the consular processing, if you apply from outside of the USA .

Although, the visa process is mostly standardized, there might be regional differences. Information about the procedure can be found on the website of the respective U.S. embassy.

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Q5 Since My Nonimmigrant Visa Will Expire Soon I Would Like To Renew It Do I Need To Complete All Of The Visa Application Procedures Again

Nonimmigrant visa application procedures must be conducted individually for each visa. Accordingly, you will need to apply again through the normal method, even if you had a visa before or your current nonimmigrant visa has not yet expired. However, there are possibilities for travelers who visit the U.S. frequently may be able to be authorized for a new visa without going through another interview. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for your area. If you are eligible, you may apply for a nonimmigrant visa by post.

Spouse Visa Denial Reasons

One of the most common reasons for a spouse visa denial is that the couple has not been married for long enough. In order to qualify for a spouse visa, the couple must have been married for at least two years. If the couple has been married for less than two years, they may be able to apply for a provisional spouse visa, which allows them to live and work in the country for up to two years while their application is processed.

Another common reason for a spouse visa denial is that one of the spouses does not meet the financial requirements. In order to qualify for a spouse visa, both spouses must earn a certain amount of money or have a certain level of savings. This requirement is in place to ensure that the couple can support themselves financially and will not become a burden on the countrys welfare system.

Finally, another common reason for a spouse visa denial is that The couple does not have a valid passport or other valid travel documents. If either spouse does not have a valid travel document, the other spouse may be unable to travel with them to the country of their application.

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What Does It Mean To Be Coming To The Us For Business Pleasure Or Medical Treatment

If you’re coming to the U.S. for purposes such as making investments, buying goods, attending seminars, or performing other temporary work for an employer that is based outside the United States, then a B-1 is the appropriate visa for you. These are all considered “business purposes.” Note, however, that you may not be paid by a source within the United States.

If you’re coming solely for purposes of pleasure, such as traveling, visiting family, participating in amateur sports or musical events, or taking non-academic courses of less than 18 hours a week, then a B-2 visa is right for you. You may not work in the U.S. at all if you enter on a tourist visa.

Finally, people coming to the U.S. for medical treatment can also use a B-2 visa. The expectation here is that you’re seeking treatment that isn’t available in your home country and that you’ll be paying the bills. Coming to the U.S. solely to give birth and gain citizenship for your child will not be allowed, though a pregnancy with complications could be grounds for a medical B-2.

Consular Visa Application Processing Fee

For every visa application the U.S. consulate asks for a processing fee that every applicant has to pay. How much that is depends on the visa category. You can find the current visa fees on our website.

Please note that there can be further visa application fees depending on you visa category. For instance, the work visa H-1B or L-1 require your U.S. employer to file a petition for you. For this petition the USCIS will charge you an additional fee.

Moreover, you have to keep in mind that there will also be costs for translation of documents, notarizations, or evaluations.

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Important Information Regarding Visas

Non-Immigrant Visa Operating Status: The U.S. Consulates General in South Africa are accepting and processing non-immigrant visa applications from individuals physically present in South Africa, including third country nationals. To protect the health and safety of our applicants and staff we have limited appointments available. Applicants should expect a longer-than-normal wait time for scheduling an appointment and visa processing, and plan accordingly.

Please follow the instructions at to schedule an appointment or to submit your visa application via courier. Approximate wait times for appointments can be found by visiting . For questions regarding scheduling an appointment online, requesting an expedited appointment, or renewing your U.S. visa via courier, please call +27 87 550 2160. Customer service center agents are available Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm local time.

Non-Immigrant Interview Waivers: Applicants renewing a B, C, D, F, H, I, J, M, O, P, Q or R visa in the same visa class whose previous visa expired within the last 48 months may be eligible for an interview waiver. Eligibility is determined based on the answers provided by the applicant to questions during the online appointment scheduling process. Criteria include:

Complete The Online Visa Application

• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 Learn more about completing the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
• You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the .

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Go For Visa Interview At Designated Us Consulate

On the day and time of your appointment for interview, go to the consulate where your interview is scheduled. Carry all mandatory and supporting documents and originals.

Carry the following to your interview:

• Your photograph
• The DS160 Confirmation page stamped at the VAC.
• Visa application fee receipts
• Interview Appointment letter

Some Final Advice To Help You Through The Process

While the process of applying for your U.S. student visa can be a long and sometimes complicated process, there are steps that you can take to increase your chances of success.

Hogan specifically recommends that applicants practice patience.

If you really want to study in the U.S. and earn a particular degree, you should absolutely go for it, she says. Just make sure that you are being very careful in following all of the steps and instructions so that the process goes as quickly as possible.

She notes that applicants should be sure to make use of all of the resources available to them from the college or university that they will be attending, which can be substantial.

We are constantly learning from our students about what the process of applying for a visa is like and how it differs from country to country, she says. With everything we learn from our students, we are better equipped to guide people through the process.

Jessica Perolio, director of Academic Services and Student Support at Northeasterns Office of Global Services, agrees, adding, Because we have such a large international student population, there is a really robust structure of resources that Northeastern offers to students. We are able to assist students in areas beyond the application process like finding housing, adjusting to academics and cultural differences, and other aspects of transitioning to American student life.

About Tim Stobierski

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How Long Can I Stay In The Us On A B1 B2 Visa

What is the length of stay allowed with the US B1/B2 visa? The American B1/B2 visa for the United States is valid for 10 years, but this is different from the length of stay, which will depend on each case. It will be determined by the immigration agent when you arrive in the country, but it is normally 6 months.

Loss Or Theft Of A Visa Or Arrival/departure Record

If you lost your visa or the Arrival/Departure Records to enter the U.S., the Bureau of Consular Affairs has guidance on reporting and re-issuance of travel documents:

• File a police report and get the number of the report and the officer’s name.
• Request replacement of a lost/stolen arrival/departure record .
• Report the lost/stolen visa or Form I-94 to your embassy.
• Report and apply for a replacement of your visa lost/stolen to the U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad.

Important Tip: Make a copy of your passport biographic page, U.S. visa and admission stamp or your I-94 admission number.

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