travel visa procedure in us

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Visit the U.S.

Generally, if you want to visit ( and not live in ) the United States you must first obtain a visitor visa . Travelers from certain countries may be exempt from this requirement. For more information, please see the U.S. Department of State website .

If you want to travel to the United States for reasons other than business or pleasure, you must apply for a visa in the appropriate category. This includes if you want to study, work as a crew member or journalist, etc. You can get help determining which visa you need by using the Explore My Options page.

Extending Your Visit

If Customs and Border Protection (CBP)  authorizes your admission to the United States at the designated port of entry, you will receive a stamped Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure . If you wish to stay beyond the time indicated on the Form I-94, you may apply for an extension by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status , with USCIS.

If You Lose Form I-94

You may apply for a replacement Form I-94 by filing a Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record .

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• For Travelers

Visit the United States

The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State work together to create and maintain an effective, efficient visa process that secures America’s borders from external threats and ensures that our country remains open to legitimate travel.

DHS provides a full range of online resources to help you plan your trip, manage your arrival and if needed extend your stay.

Plan Your Trip

• Obtain a Visitor VISA - (U.S. State Department) Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The visa allows a foreign citizen, to travel to the United States port-of entry and request permission of the U.S. immigration inspector to enter the U.S.
• Determine the correct VISA category - (USCIS) There are more than 20 nonimmigrant visa types for people traveling to the United States temporarily. There are many more types of immigrant visas for those coming to live permanently in the United States.  The type of visa you need is determined by the purpose of your intended travel.  Get help determining the right VISA category at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services homepage.
• Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM)  - Provides biometric identification services to federal, state and local government decision makers to help them accurately identify the people they encounter and determine whether those people pose a risk to the United States. OBIM currently applies to all international visitors (with limited exemptions) entering the United States, but not to U.S. citizens.
• Visa Waiver Program: Passport Requirements Timeline - As of October 26, 2006, any passport issued on or after this date by a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country must be an e-Passport  for VWP travelers to be eligible to enter the United States without a visa. If your passport is older, see requirements here
• Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) - A fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Voluntary ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, and Visa Waiver Program travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the U.S.

Your Arrival

• Locate a Port Of Entry - Air, Land, or Sea (CBP) - At a port of entry, CBP enforces the import and export laws and regulations of the U.S. federal government and conducts immigration policy and programs. Ports also perform agriculture inspections to protect the USA from potential carriers of animal and plant pests or diseases that could cause serious damage to America's crops, livestock, pets, and the environment.
• Global Entry Program (CBP) - Expedited screening and processing for pre-screened international travelers entering the United States.
• CBP Traveler Entry Forms (CBP) - Whether you are a visitor to the United States or U.S. citizen, each individual arriving into the United States must complete one or more of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) entry forms.
• DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) - If you have difficulties experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs--like airports and train stations--or crossing U.S. borders, use this system to make inquiries or seek resolution.

Extend Your Stay

• Apply to Extend Your Stay - (USCIS) If you want to extend your stay in the United States, you must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status before your authorized stay expires. If you remain in the United States longer than authorized, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States.
• Change Your Non-Immigrant Status - (USCIS) If you want to change the purpose of your visit while in the United States, you (or in some cases your employer) must file a request with USCIS on the appropriate form before your authorized stay expires. 

Tips During Your Trip to the United States

Beware of Scams - (Federal Trade Commission) The Department of State, Office of Visa Services, advises the public of a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Visa (DV) program (Visa Lottery) applicants. The scammers behind these fraudulent emails and letters are posing as the U.S. government in an attempt to extract payment from DV applicants.

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• Citizenship and Immigration Services
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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

US tourist visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: September 25, 2023

US tourist visa requirements are clear and detailed. US visa application is a multi-step process. The first step of the application process is to fill DS-160 form online. The second step is to schedule the visa interview appointment. This step involves paying the visa fee and picking the location and date of your visa interview.

Visa interview is mandatory so it can be intimidating for some. If you have a genuine reason to visit the US along with relevant data and documentation, the odds of visa approval are high.

Table of Contents

Us tourist visa requirements by nationality.

Minimum passport validity required to enter the United States

Your passport must be valid only for the intended period of stay

NOTE A few countries are required to have their passport valid for 6 months beyond the intended period of stay. For more information, refer to the six-month club update on U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Visa EXEMPT passport holders

180-day entry.

• Bermuda (British Territory)

90-day entry

• Entry allowed under Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
• Must hold a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval
• Must hold an e-passport with an embedded electronic chip
• Extensions are not permitted
• Nationals who have been to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen are not eligible. Must apply for a visa.
• Nationals who are also citizens of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria are not eligible. Must apply for a visa.
• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

Visa REQUIRED passport holders

• Afghanistan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• The Central African Republic
• Congo, Dem Rep of
• Congo, Rep of
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Marshall Islands
• North Korea
• Palestinian Territories
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Timor-Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates

US TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Validity of US tourist visa

The validity of US visas depends on the country of passport. US tourist visas are usually issued for 1 year, 5 years or 10 years.

Example: The B1/B2 or B2 visas for Afghanistan passport holders are valid for 1 year only. Whereas, for Bangladesh passport holders, the B1/B2 visas are valid for 5 years. For Indian passport holders, B1/B2 visas are valid for 10 years.

When to apply for US tourist visa

You can apply for US tourist visa as early as you can. Unlike, other country visas, US visa can be applied as early as you. I have seen some readers apply as much as 1 year in advance.

How long can your stay in the US

The US tourist visa allows you to stay up to 180 days in the US. But if you stay that long continuously in the US on a tourist visa, you will have trouble entering the US again. You may be questioned on your purpose of visit.

US tourist visa processing time

Unlike other country visas, US visa has no processing time. Meaning, the visa officer will tell your visa result at the end of your interview. You will be able to pick up or receive your passport within 3-10 business days from your interview day.

Application procedure

The US visa application is a 4 step process

• Fill DS-160 form online
• Pay visa fee
• Schedule fingerprints and photo appointment
• Schedule visa interview appointment
• Preparation
• Documentation
• Interview Procedure
• Dos and Don’ts of the Appointment
• Dos and Don’ts of the Interview
• Interview Questions and Answers
• Visa Result
• Pick up Passport

1. Fill DS-160 form online

The first step in the US visa application process is to fill DS-160 form online . It is a lengthy form, so it can take a few days to complete. You would need to gather and compile a lot of information for the form.

I recommend starting your application process as early as possible.

2. Schedule US visa appointment

The second step in the visa application process is to schedule US visa appointment . This involves paying the visa fee, and selecting the location and date of your interview.

Depending on the country where you would like to attend your visa interview, you would need to schedule one or two appointments. Some countries require an additional appointment for fingerprints and photos.

The website and the procedure to schedule US visa appointment is different in different countries.

If you are attending your US visa interview in Asia, Central America, parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, you must schedule your appointment on the US Travel Docs website.

If you plan to attend your US visa interview in North and South America, parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, you must schedule your appointment on the US Visa Information and Appointment System .

2.1. Pay US tourist visa fee

The US visa application fee is $160 payable in US dollars or local currency (in Asia only). You can pay your visa fee in various ways, such as cash at a local bank, electronic fund transfer or using a credit card.

2.2. Schedule fingerprints and photo appointment

Certain countries such as Mexico requires an additional appointment for fingerprints and photo. You will be prompted to make this additional appointment as part of your visa interview appointment.

2.3. Schedule visa interview appointment

Available dates and times for your visa type are displayed on the screen. Pick the date and time that works best for you.

3. Attend US visa interview

Attending US visa interview is a feat in itself. The high-security US embassy and the intimidating visa officers can make the entire process daunting and overwhelming.

But if you break the interview process into smaller steps and tackle them individually, it can be less stressful. Let’s look at these steps individually in detail.

3.1. Preparation

• Go over your DS-160 to familiarize yourself with the information you have entered. You may be asked the same questions in the interview. You must not contradict your own answers.
• Go over the top 5 US interview questions and answers. Sit and answer all of those questions. Make a note of them if you have to.
• Write down any other questions on your purpose, industry, etc and prepare them as well.

3.2. Planning

• Gather the documentation that you would need to carry
• Print any documentation that needs to be printed
• Organize your documentation in an easily retrievable format
• Familiarize yourself with directions and transportation options to the embassy
• Wash, iron and have your interview clothes ready

PRO TIP Use a compartment folder to sort and organize your documentation. Label the compartments if you have to it.

3.3. Documents required

  Mandatory Documentation

• Current Original Passport
• All old passports (especially those with old US visas)
• Interview Appointment Confirmation Print
• Your DS-160 Confirmation Print
• Visa Fee Receipt (if the fee was paid at a local bank in person)
• Recent Passport Size Photo (white background only)
• Additional Photo ID (required to gain access into the embassy)

  Additional Documentation

• Employment Letter
• Leave Approval Letter
• Recent 3 Months Payslips
• Letter from the university
• Fee receipts
• Recent results, transcripts or diplomas
• Business Registration
• Annual Reports
• Annual Income Statements
• Tax Returns
• Sponsor’s ID copy
• Sponsor’s Employment Proofs
• Conference tickets
• Wedding invitations
• Training Confirmations
• Detailed Itinerary
• Recent 6-Months Bank Statements

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I was not asked to show any documentation at all during my US B1/B2 visa interview. I did take my bank statements, my payment receipts for the conference I was attending, and my business cards as a blogger and travel writer.

3.4. Appointment Procedure

The interview procedure varies slightly from location to location. This 10-step procedure gives you an overall idea of what to expect.

• Arrive at the embassy
• Present your appointment confirmation at the gate
• Go through the security
• Deposit your ID proof
• Deposit your cell phone and keys
• Stand in the line for fingerprints and photo
• Give your fingerprints and photo
• Stand in line for the interview
• Give your interview
• Find out your visa result

3.5. Dos and Don’ts of the Appointment

• Arrive on Time: The time of your appointment is the time to arrive at the gate of the embassy. It is NOT the time of your actual interview. You must arrive not more than 15 min before your appointment time. Otherwise, you will be sent back and asked to arrive at your appointment time.
• No Electronics: Only a cell phone and keyfob are allowed into the embassy. Any other electronics such as tablets, laptops, etc. are not allowed into the embassy and you will be sent back.
• No Bags: Backpacks and luggage are not allowed into the embassy. The embassy will not store any bags and you will be sent back.
• No Non-permitted Items: Non-permitted items such as cigarettes, lighter, sharp objects, food items, etc are not allowed. You will have to discard them or you will be sent back.
• Carry Documents: You can only carry documents in a see-through folder or plastic bag.

3.6. Dos and Don’ts of the Interview

• Be honest: Visa officers are very well-trained and have years of experience. They see thousands of applicants in their careers. They can easily spot lies and manipulative answers. Be honest in your answers.
• Be confident: Stand straight. Be loud and clear. Ask the visa officer to repeat the question if you did not understand. Don’t change your answers if you are asked to repeat them.
• Don’t show desperation: Don’t show any signs of desperation. Visa officers are very well-trained and have years of experience. They can easily spot desperation.
• Say only what’s needed: Answer only with the information needed. Say what is needed, nothing else. Any extra information can lead to unnecessary questions that you may not have answers for.
• Be fluent in your English: This is a tricky one. Visa officers will not have much time and they can be impatient at times. If your answers are not clear and difficult to understand, it can impact your visa result. Improve your English speaking skills. Get rid of any accent if you have.
• Carry all relevant documentation: Make sure you have all the documentation with you. There should not be a situation where you don’t have a document that you are asked to present.
• Organize your documentation: Organize your documents in a smart way, so you can retrieve them right away when asked. Shuffling through the documents, taking too long to retrieve a document, and mishandling documents can affect your visa result.
• Dress appropriately: Dressing appropriately makes you presentable. It boosts your confidence as well.
• Choose your visa officer: Last but not least. If you have the opportunity to choose your visa officer, go to a visa officer who looks friendly and close to the same age as yours.

3.7. US tourist visa interview questions

During the US B1/B2 visa interview, you will be asked a few questions. These questions can be the same as what you already have in your DS-160 or completely different.

Here are the top 5 US visa interview questions.

• Why do you want to go to the US?
• How long do you plan to stay in the US?
• Have you been to the US before?
• Have you been to other countries?
• What do you do for a living?

Each above question can lead to many other questions depending on your answers. For example, “What do you do for a living” can lead to questions such as how long you have been working, how much money you make, etc.

3.8. Visa Result

You will be told the result of the visa at the end of the interview. Therefore, at the end of the interview, you will know whether your visa is approved or denied or needs additional information.

If approved, you will be told that your visa is approved. You will be given a sheet of paper with instructions on how to pick up your passport or when to expect the delivery.

If denied, you will be told that your visa is denied. Your passport and documentation will be returned back to you. You will also be given a sheet of paper marking the section under which your visa application was denied.

If the visa officer needs additional information, you will be given a sheet of paper with details and the steps to continue from there.

4. Pick up Passport

If your visa is approved, your passport will be ready for pick up within 3-10 working days. You will be notified via email or SMS that your passport is ready for pickup.

If you have requested for your passport to be delivered, you will be notified via email or SMS when the passport is dispatched. You should receive it in 3-10 working days.

After you pick up or receive your passport, verify your visa for any discrepancies. If you see any discrepancy, contact the consulate/embassy immediately.

What’s next?

Get ready for your US trip. US tourist visas are usually valid for 10 years and multiple entries. You can travel to the US anytime within the validity of your US visa. You can also enter as many times as you want.

Healthcare in the US is quite expensive. Most travel insurance does not cover travel in the US. So make sure to purchase insurance that is specifically meant for US travel.

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE US

Entering the us by air.

Port of entry in US airports usually has two lines for arriving passengers. One for citizens and permanent residents and the other for visitors. You will go and stand in the visitor’s line. When your turn comes, you will be sent to either an automated kiosk or to an immigration officer.

If you are sent to an automated kiosk, just follow the instructions on the screen. You will scan your visa page and your details will appear on the screen. Review the details. Go through the steps and print your receipt.

Once you print your receipt, proceed toward an immigration officer. Present your passport and receipt.

You may be asked a few questions. Your passport will then be stamped with the appropriate visa type and the date until which you can remain in the US. Your passport and receipt will be returned back to you.

If you are sent to an immigration officer instead of an automated kiosk, just present your passport, boarding pass and completed customs form.

You may be asked a few questions. Your passport will then be stamped with the appropriate visa type and the date until which you can remain in the US. Your passport, boarding pass, and customs form will be returned back to you. You will also be given a receipt.

Verify the stamp, visa type and date immediately for any discrepancy.

As always, carry a print of your return/onward flight ticket and hotel booking. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, you can use OnwardTicket for proof of your onward ticket.

After you finish your immigration procedure, walk to your baggage claim carousel. Pick up your bags and head to the exit.

Before the exit, you will go through the customs screening. You will have to present the customs form or receipt that you received at the immigration. The customs officer will then indicate whether you can just walk out or scan your baggage.

If you are asked to scan your baggage, continue to the baggage scanning area and put all your baggage on the scanner conveyer belt. Pick up your bags after the scan and walk towards the exit.

Have a great time in the US!

Leaving the US by air

Unlike many other countries, the US does not have exit passport control. There will not be any immigration checks while exiting the US.

The departing airline will notify your exit details to the US Customs and Border Protection. You can check your history of US entry/exit dates on the US Visitor’s I-94 Website .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How to apply for US tourist visa?

You can apply for US tourist visa by first completing the DS-160 form online. The US tourist visa application is a 4 step process.

• Make the visa fee payment
• Schedule visa appointment
• Pick up passport

The DS-160 form can take several days for you to complete as it needs a lot of information. The current US visa fee is $160 USD, which you can pay by cash at a local bank, electronic fund transfer or using a credit card. Depending on the country, you would need to set up one or two visa appointments. Countries such as Mexico requires an additional appointment for fingerprints and photo.

You will know your visa result at the end of the interview. You can then pick up your passport in 3-10 working days.

How much is the US visa application fee?

The US visa application fee is $185 USD. This fee is payable in local currency (in Asia) or in USD (in the rest of the world).

What is the US visa processing time?

US visa result is immediate. You will be told the visa result at the end of your visa interview.

That being said, the entire process beginning from DS-160 to receiving your passport can take several weeks. Apply for your visa as early as possible.

What are the documents required for US visa?

You would need to carry the following mandatory documents for your US visa interview.

• All Old Passport (especially those with US visas)
• The DS-160 Confirmation Print
• Additional Passport Size Photo
• Additional Photo ID

Along with the above mandatory documents, you can also carry other documents that support your case such as employment proofs, financial proofs, etc.

What are some of the US visa interview questions and answers?

During the interview, visa officers typically ask questions related to your purpose of travel, itinerary, ties with your home country, etc. Some of these questions can be from your DS-160 or completely different.

Here are the top 5 US visa interview questions and answers

Q1. Why do you want to go to the US? You can talk about whether you are visiting the US for tourism or business. If for tourism, talk about the places you plan to visit and why. If for business, talk about the meetings or conferences you plan to attend or the people you plan to meet.

Q2. How long do you plan to stay in the US? Mention the total days of your itinerary. Make sure to keep the total between 10-20 days.

Q3. Have you been to the US before? Mention whether you have been in the US before. If you did, also mention when and how long.

Q4. Have you been to other countries? Mention all the countries you have been to. Start with the countries that require visas such as countries in Europe, Canada, Japan, etc.

Q5. What do you do for a living? Mention your current employer, your role and your title. You don’t have to mention the duration of your employment, duties or salary.

Each applicant’s situation is different. Therefore, each of these questions can lead to many other questions depending on your answers.

How long does it take to get the visa after the interview?

The visa result will be told right at the end of the interview. If your visa is approved, your passport will be ready for you to pick it up within 3-10 working days. You will be notified via email or SMS that your passport is ready for pickup.

US tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. But, the multi-step application process can be confusing for many.

A Visa interview is mandatory so it can be intimidating. If you have a genuine reason to travel along with relevant information and documentation, then you have nothing to worry about.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from HeyMondo . HeyMondo offers a 5% discount to Visa Traveler readers (use the link above), and covers all medical and travel emergencies during your trip.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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How to Apply for US Visa ? Requirements, Fee, Step by Step Guide, FAQs

If you would like to travel to the US , you need a US Visa . Depending on your purpose of travel, you would need one of the non-immigrant visas or immigrant visas. The process to get US Visa is pretty much the same across the world. In this article, we look at the step-by-step guide to getting US Visa from checking requirements to getting US Visa stamped in your passport.

Below is the high-level flow of the various steps involved in the US visa stamping process at a US Consulate. We will review each of these steps in detail below.

Step 1: Determine US Visa Type Needed

Before you apply for a US visa, you need to identify the visa type that you need for your travel. Depending on the purpose of your travel, you need to pick the right visa category. Each visa category has its own requirements and the applicant has to meet the same and then apply. It is important to pick the right visa category as you will need to secure all the supporting documents relevant to the visa type you pick when you go for the visa interview.  

Below are some of the common types of visas

• B2 Visitors Visa – for tourism, visiting friends, attending events
• B1 – Business Visa – for Business meetings, negotiations, conferences
• F1 – Student Visa – Study in the US for either Bachelor’s or Master’s
• H1B – Work Visa –  To work in a Speciality occupation in the US
• H4 – Dependent Visa – travel to the US as a dependent for H1B workers
• L1 – Intracompany Transfer Visa – International Transfer to work in US Office   

If your purpose is not listed in the above popular visa types, you can check the US State Department Visa Categories page to identify the visa category that fits the purpose of your US visit.

Step 2: Gather Required information for US Visa Application

Depending on the US visa type you are planning to apply for, you will need to gather all relevant documents for completing the Online US Visa application. Below are the common documents and information that you will need, irrespective of the visa type to complete the visa application online (DS-160 form)

Documents Checklist to fill Online US Visa Application :

• Your personal contact information
• Your Family information of Spouse, Parents, and Kids as applicable.
• Your current occupation information
• All your previous work experience history
• All your education history (need from 10th grade onwards)
• US Travel Itinerary
• Details about who will pay for your US trip.
• Digital Passport photo with white background.
• US Point of Contact information
• Your Social Media Contact information like Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• If you have travel companions, their information.

In addition to the above, you would need specific documents and information related to the US Visa type you choose.  For example, if you are applying for a work visa like H1B Visa , you will need to have details about the USCIS H1B Petition approval notice.

Step 3: Complete and Submit DS-160 Form

After you gather all your documents and information, you need to fill out the DS-160 form online. If you are applying for an immigrant visa, then you will need to fill DS-260 form. Below are the high-level steps for general non-immigration visas like visitor, work, student, or dependent visas.  

• Go to Online Non-immigrant US Visa Application (DS-160 form)
• Select the location, where you plan to apply for Visa
• Enter the Captcha that you see below there
• Click on “Start An application”

See the below screenshot of how it looks.

After you do that, you will be presented with an Application ID, note that down or print it, so that you can use it to go back and complete the application later.   

The US Visa Application (DS-160) form is a lengthy form and it can take time. You will need to have all the documents and information that we mentioned in Step 2 handy to complete the application. Once you complete the form, you need to submit the form online. You will get confirmation after you submit the form, save and print the confirmation of US Visa application (DS-160) as you will need it for booking a US visa appointment and also you need to carry the same for a visa interview.

Step 4: Pay the US Visa fee (MRV Fee)

After you have completed the online US Visa Application (DS-160) form, you need to pay the fee for your US Visa. It is also called a Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

How much is the US Visa fee?

The fee varies by the type of Visa application that you are applying for. Below are some of the common types and their visa fee.

• Non-petition based visa types like B1,B2, F1 – $160 USD
• Petition-based visa types like H1B, L1, and H4 – $190 USD
• E Visas – $205, K Visas – $265 USD

You can check the current US Visa fee for all visa types at Travel.state.gov Visa Fees .

Depending on the country you are attending and the type of visa, you may be asked to pay some additional fees such as visa issuance fees or other kinds of fees like the SEVIS fee for an F1 visa applicant. You need to check the visa appointment booking website such as ustraveldocs.com website related to the country to know the complete fee.

How to pay the US Visa fee?

You need to pay the Visa fee either using an online payment system or by going to a bank. This varies by country. You need to check the US Consulate website in your country for the process or use CGI Federal website ustraveldocs.com.   

For instance, in India, you can pay fees using an online system using CGI Federal website or using online banking. Check India Visa Fee payment options .   Usually, you will need to create a profile online on the respective website for India, which is www.USVisaScheduling.com and then pay the fee.  You need to have copies of the fee payment receipts for reference and show the same at the US consulate as needed.

Step 5: Schedule Biometrics , Visa Interview Appointments

After you pay the fee using either an online system or using a bank, you need to book a US Visa appointment to attend the Visa interview.  Also, you will be required to book another biometrics appointment to capture your fingerprints and photo.

• First appointment to give biometrics is usually at Visa Application Center (VAC) or Offsite Facility Center (OFC)
• Second appointment for Visa Interview at US Consulate.

You will usually need the below information to schedule these appointments

• Passport Number
• Visa Application Fee Receipt Number
• Bar Code confirmation from DS-160 confirmation page.

If you cannot attend the booked appointments, you can also re-schedule or change the appointments. The number of times you can reschedule US visa appointments varies by country and it can range anywhere from 2 to 6. For complete details, read How many times can I reschedule my US Visa Appointment

During visa appointment booking, sometimes you may get errors like “ Error occurred while loading a Visaualforce Page ” , “ Your group size is larger than the current allocation” , or “ Your personal details match the profile which already exists in our database “. In such cases, you would need to work with the US Travel Docs Customer support as needed to resolve the same issues.

Also, if you end up taking interview appointment at a different location that that you selected on DS 160, when you submitted it, there is nothing you need to do as long it was in the same country. You do not have to update the location on DS 160. Check more at Do I need to update DS 160 location after submission

Step 6: Prepare Documents to carry for US Visa Interview

Once you have the visa interview and biometrics appointment confirmed, you need to prepare for the same. Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you will need to carry all the supporting documents. Below are a couple of examples.

• Work Visa: For instance, if you are applying for work visa like H1B visa stamping, you need to carry all the relevant documents like USCIS H1B Approval notice, Form I-129 copy, H1B LCA copy, Employer letter, etc.
• Student Visa: For instance, if you are applying for F1 student visa, you will need to carry all documents like I-20, School Acceptance Letter, SEVIS Fee receipt, Education Certificates, Sponsorship documents for fee, etc.

Step 7: Attend Biometrics Appointment, US Visa Interview

You need to attend the Biometrics appointment on the respective appointment date and carry all the relevant documents that are needed for it like an Appointment Notice, DS-160 confirmation, Passport, and other documents as required.

After Biometrics, you need to attend the US Visa interview at Consulate. You will be interviewed by a US Consular Officer. The Visa officer can ask you for any details related to your visa application. For instance, if you are going to study in the US, they may ask for school details, ask your intent, why you applied for a certain school, etc. It is the Visa officer’s decision to issue you a visa or not. You can check out our pages US Visa Stamping User Experiences Collection or category of US Visa Stamping Experiences to get an idea of the kinds of questions asked.

If the US Consular officer is convinced, they may issue the visa and say the decision to you that your visa is approved. They will collect your passport and say, they will inform you once the US Visa is stamped ( US Visa foil is glued) in the passport and it is ready for collection.

If they need more time, they may issue a piece of paper and tell you that your case is going to be in Administrative processing (221g) and may or may not take your passport. This can delay the process and you need to wait.

Step 8: Check US Visa Status Online

After your visa stamping interview is complete, you need to check the status on the US State Department CEAC Website. If your visa was approved, you will see the status as ‘Issued’. Read How to check US Visa Status Online

Step 9: Collect Passport with US Visa

If your US Visa was approved and the Visa officer issued a visa to you, they will stick a US Visa foil in your passport and inform you to collect the passport. Alternatively, if you have put in the option for home delivery, they will deliver the passport with a US visa to your address. You will be notified of the same. Usually, it can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week for this.

The US Visa looks like in the below screenshot

That’s the end-to-end process to apply for US Visa and get it stamped in your passport.

Common FAQs

In general, you do not need to attend an US Visa in-person interview for renewal of your visa. You need to follow more or less the same steps as above, except there is no interview. The CGI federal system would indicate that you are eligible for interview waiver and let you submit documents for the same. If all goes well, you get your visa renewed with a new visa foil in your passport. Read How to apply for H1B Visa Dropbox to know the typical steps involved in interview waiver or dropbox.

This is a million-dollar question and no one knows or no one can guess this correctly. This totally depends on your application, your credentials, etc. It is your jobs as the applicant to convince the US Consular Officer to issue you the visa. All you can do is be prepared, have all documents ready and answer the questions asked by Consular officer confidently to have a good chance for getting US Visa.

You may also check more articles related to applying US Visa below:

• How to Check US Visa Status Online? CEAC Website, Errors Info
• How many times can I reschedule my US Visa Appointment? India? Others?
• Your Group Size is larger than the Current Allocation – U.S. Visa Error, Fix ?
• Error occurred while loading a Visualforce Page – US Visa Appointment
• Your personal details match the profile which already exists – US Visa Error
• Change US Consulate interview location on DS-160 after Submission?
• User Could not be created – USTravelDocs Error
• US Visa Stamping: Passport Tracking Statuses Meaning, Flow
• Sorry, you have been blocked – USTravelDocs.com Error, Solution
• Petitioner Name, Info in US Visa Appointment – H1B, H4, L1, L2?
• Access limitation US Visa Scheduling Error: Reason, Solutions

Other Articles

Hello, I am Indian currently working in Qatar, last year i was in UAE and i applied for B1/B2 visa and the appointment for interview is 21 june 2023, my question is from qatar to uae will travel for interview once i complete the interview i can move to qatar and send my passport to us embassy through courier. please advice me.

If you are applying for a US visa as non resident in a different country, Do i need to pay the visa fee in the country where i will be attending the interview ?

Thanks…

have a spelling mistake on my cgi profile. Passport and DS-160 has correct name.

I got following response from US visa officer. I am putting this information here so that it could be helpful for everybody.

Thank you for writing to the U.S. Visa Service Desk.

“We understand that you want to update your name on your profile.

In response to your question, we request you to please proceed with your scheduled appointment.

At your biometrics appointment, please inform the Visa Application Center officials about the changes.

Note: Update the DS-160 with the current and accurate information.”

Harshada, This is good info. Thanks for the update. Hope all goes well. Do update how it goes after your biometrics and interview here for community benefit.

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How to extend your nonimmigrant or tourist visa

Depending on the type of nonimmigrant visa you have, you may be able to extend your stay in the U.S. Learn if you qualify and how to file for an extension.

How to extend your B2 tourist visa

If you are visiting the U.S. as a tourist with a B-2 visa, you may file for an extension with Form I-539 . You must also:

• Include your original Form I-94, which is the record of your arrival and departure dates 
• The reason for your request
• Why your extended stay would be temporary
• What arrangements you have made to depart the U.S.
• What effect your extended stay may have on your employment and residency in your home country 

How to extend other nonimmigrant visas

Not all nonimmigrant visa categories are eligible for an extension. 

See the list of situations when you can and cannot extend your stay in the U.S.

Learn how to extend your stay in the U.S.

• Find out how to file for an extension using Form I-539 online or by mail.
• You may apply to extend your stay while you are in the U.S. If possible, file to extend your visa at least 45 days before it expires. 
• Use the fee schedule for Form I-539 to see how much you will have to pay. 

LAST UPDATED: July 1, 2024

Have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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UK to expand Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to all travellers, including Australians

Australian travellers will soon have to seek permission to enter the United Kingdom under changes designed to strengthen border security.

Under the scheme first launched last November, those intending to travel to the UK who do not require a visa would need permission to travel before arrival, in the form of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

On Wednesday, the UK government announced the scheme would be expanded to include travellers from non-European countries, including Australia, later this year. ETA applications will open on November 27, however, not be required to travel until January 8, 2025.

By April 2025, all visitors - including children - will need an ETA to travel to the UK.

The ETA costs £10 - or about A$20 - and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires.

The application process is done using the UK ETA app and once approved - typically within three working days - it will be linked to a traveller’s passport.

UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra said the new digital system would “enable a smooth experience for the millions of people who pass through the border every year”.

“The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhance security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system.”

The scheme is already in place for travellers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The UK Government is currently working with airlines, maritime and rail carriers, to ensure a smooth implementation.

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