Posted by Before your interview at the Embassy or Consulate, Form DS-160 must be filled out and submitted online. To schedule your interview, you must enter the barcode number shown on the Form DS-160 confirmation page. Online submission of Form DS-160 is required, and the printed confirmation page needs to be taken to the interview. Without a Form DS-160 confirmation page, the Embassy or Consulate will not take handwritten or typed applications, and you will not be allowed to attend your interview.
You attest that all of the information on your DS-160 is true and correct when you digitally sign it. You cannot enter the U.S. if you lie about any facts. Please ensure that each question is fully addressed and that all your responses are accurate.
How to apply for a U.S. visa online
The following is how to apply for a U.S. visa online:
Instructions for Filling Out the DS-160 Form:
After reviewing the nonimmigrant visa application procedure, complete and submit your DS-160, you must schedule an interview at the Embassy or Consulate before submitting your DS-160 application online.
- Your interview appointment must be scheduled at the interview post you chose when filling out Form DS-160.
- Except for the question requesting your full name in your native alphabet, all questions must be answered in English using only English-language characters.
- Your session will expire if you leave this application idle for 20 minutes. Unless you have written down your
- Application ID Number or saved your application to a computer file, you will need to start afresh. Note the
- Application ID is shown in the page’s upper right corner. You will require this Application ID to proceed with your
- Application if you have to close the browser before submitting it.
- An alpha-numeric barcode confirmation page will be generated from the completed DS-160 application form.
- For the interview at the Embassy or Consulate, you must have the printed confirmation page.
- After printing the barcode confirmation page, return to your web browser and email a copy of the DS-160 as a backup. The email attachment will be in PDF format, which calls for
How to Apply Online for a Visitor Visa to the United States for Business or Tourism
Please be aware: The State Department temporarily discontinued routine visa services at all American embassies and consulates in March 2020 in reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak. Beginning in February 2021, ordinary visa services will be resumed.
Under typical circumstances:
You should apply for a tourist or transit visa if you’re planning a quick trip to the United States for work or pleasure. The actions you should take are as follows:
1. Determine if a visa is required.
See if your nation is a part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). A nonimmigrant visa is required to enter the United States if your nation is not listed.
2. Identity whatever type of visa you could require for your trip.
B-1 and B-2 visitor visas are the most common for business and leisure travelers.
- Business travelers who wish to meet with colleagues, attend a conference, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract fall under the B-1 visa classification.
- The B-2 visa category is for vacationing tourists, individuals traveling for medical care, attending a social function, or taking part in unpaid amateur competitions.
Few people have visas for transit.
Crew members of international aircraft or seagoing vessels flying to the United States are eligible for transit C-1, D, and C-1/D visas.
3. Obtain a visa.
The visa application procedure varies depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate you apply to. Pay attention to the guidelines relevant to the nation you are in.
Generally, you will require the following:
To apply for a nonimmigrant visa, you must:
- Fill out the online Form DS-160
- Provide a photo
- Pay the visa application cost;
Read Also: How to Apply for U.S. Passports for Minors and Their Requirements
Making an application and entering the United States
The B-2 or B-2 guest visa application procedure may differ depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. You’ll probably need to submit an online nonimmigrant visa application to apply. Once you are within the country, you can ask to stay longer than planned, but you must leave the country by the deadline unless your request is granted. Please be aware that when entering the U.S., officials at the port of entry have the power to grant or prohibit entrance. Therefore, to help guarantee that your application is correctly prepared, we frequently advise contacting an immigration lawyer. We understand how to speed up the procedure and increase the likelihood of a visa being granted.
Who Should Submit a Visitor Visa/U.S. Tourist Visa Application?
For those who seek to temporarily enter the U.S. for business, tourism, or visiting, a U.S. Visitor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa. A US visitor visa may also be referred to as a U.S. tourist visa. Your eligibility for a B-1 or B-2 visa, or both (B-1/B-2) if your reasons fall under both categories, will depend on the reason for your visit. Depending on a person’s eligibility, visas may be single-entry or multiple-entry. Those applying for visitor visas must be able to demonstrate that they are not intending to immigrate but are instead traveling for one of the permitted purposes.
The Business Visa B-1
One must apply for a B-1 visa before departing on business. To apply for a business visa, consider the following factors:
- Negotiating contracts.
- Going to a business conference or convention.
- Buying real estate.
- Looking for company opportunities is an example of business activities.
You might be qualified to apply for a B-1 visa if you want to go to the U.S. for one of these commercial reasons. On our B-1 visa page, you can find out more about your eligibility.
The B-2 Travel & Tourism Visa
People who want to visit relatives, vacation, or travel for business in the U.S. should apply for a B-2 visa. Also covered by this visa are people coming to the nation for medical care or to participate in particular social or charitable activities. Visit our B-2 visa page to learn more about the application requirements.
Required Documents
- Passport valid for travel to the United States; it must remain valid for at least six months after your stay there (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). Each person requiring a visa, including any family members indicated in your passport, must complete a separate application.
- The confirmation page for the Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160).
- A payment receipt for your application fee, if you must make one before your interview.
- Photo – You will add your photo when completing the DS-160 online form. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format specified in the photograph requirements.
Additional paperwork that could be needed for a U.S. tourist visa
Consult the visa application guidelines on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you want to submit your application. It might be necessary to seek more paperwork to determine your eligibility. For instance, additional documents may be asked to prove your ability to pay for the entire trip or your intention to leave the United States following your trip.
To prove the reason for your journey and your intention to return home, you may only need to provide proof of your employment or family ties. If you cannot pay the total cost of your trip, you may provide proof that someone else will pay some or all of the expenses.
Notably, visa candidates must be qualified based on their place of residency and ties to other countries rather than assurances from relatives and friends in the United States. A visiting visa application does not require an invitation letter or an affidavit of support. Please keep in mind that if you bring an invitation letter or an affidavit of support to your interview, it will not be considered when deciding whether to grant or reject a visa.
Processing Time for U.S. Visitor Visas
An American visiting visa at the Embassy typically takes three days to process. Applicants should anticipate receiving their visas in 7 to 10 calendar days on average due to mailing delays.
Finding Work as a Foreign Employee in the United States
You may be able to enter the United States as one of the following depending on your qualifications, situation, and intended employment:
- A temporary or long-term foreign employee, or
- Transient traveler on business
If you’re an international student or exchange guest, you can work in the United States under specific conditions.
Obtain a work visa.
You will require a foreign worker’s permit to work in the United States. The prerequisites, conditions, and time restrictions differ for each type of visa.
For a summary of each worker category and visa type, visit the Working in the U.S. website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Use the Department of State’s visa wizard to identify the visa you require, the application procedure, the associated costs, and the anticipated wait time for a visa interview.
As a Temporary Foreign Worker, Your Rights and Protections
- If you utilize your legal rights as a temporary foreign worker in the U.S., the U.S. government won’t deny you a visa or punish you. Find out what protections you have.
- Your work visa might be revoked if you break its conditions. You can face deportation, arrest, or being refused re-entry into the country.
- Seek assistance immediately if you suspect that you or a loved one is being trafficked into the United States.
- Visit the USCIS Contact Center if you have inquiries regarding immigration or visas while in the country. If you’re abroad, get in touch with the nearest.
Conclusion
It should be noted that visitors arriving in the U.S. from Canada or Bermuda do not need a visa to do so. To be excused from needing a visitor visa, you must apply for the Visa Waiver Program if you are a citizen or national of one of the participating nations.