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U.S. GOVERNMENT > Foreign Policy and International Affairs > Visas > Coming to America - Getting Your Visitors Visa

Coming to America - Getting Your Visitors Visa


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//travel/tips/embassies/embassies_1214.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 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. 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.
    - 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, 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

To Contact U.S Embassies and Consulates abroad  http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions_embassy.html

Consular Affairs  http://travel.state.gov/index.html

Visa Services (for Foreigners Traveling to U.S.)  http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html

Visitor Visas for Business and Pleasure  http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_types_visitor2.html

Visa Services - Destination USA (Overview) http://unitedstatesvisas.gov/index.html

Visa Waiver Program http://travel.state.gov/visa//visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

Visa Application Forms http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi_forms.html

Nonimmigrant Visa Photo Requirements http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_info_photo.html

Visa Services Fees http://travel.state.gov/visa/vofees.html

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
InfoUSA is maintained by the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP), U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Government assumes no responsibility or legal liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided in this section. Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your area for the most current information regarding visas and legal requirements.