For most people around the world, wanting to go to the US means that they need a visa. The reasons for wanting to go differ from just visits for tourism or business, working, studying, or permanently moving there. The country attracts a wide range of people who have various goals and want to achieve “the American dream”. However, there are many barriers and one of them is getting a visa. To apply for a US visa you will follow a straightforward application procedure and steps.
Steps to Apply for a US Visa
You should apply for a US visa at a US Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence following these simple steps:
- Check if you need a visa.
- Choose the type of US visa you will apply for.
- Fill in the Non-immigrant visa Application Form DS-160.
- Pay your application fee.
- Schedule visa interview.
- Compile the document file.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Wait for processing.
1. Check if you need a visa
Citizens of 40 visa waiver countries do not need to apply for a non-immigrant visa to visit the United States. However, you can find out if you need to apply for a US visa, by using the visa checker below:
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2. Choose the visa type
The second step of the US visa application is to choose the type of US visa that you want to get. Since there are differencesdepending on the type of US visayou want to get, you should pay extra attention to choosing the right type of visa to apply for.
3. Fill in the Non-immigrant visa Application Form DS-160
Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application is the US visa application form that you must fill out if you are applying for a US nonimmigrant visa. The form can be found online on the website of the US consulate from which you are applying.
You can fill the DS-160 form online through:
- by yourself through the Consular Electronic Application Center, or
- with the assistance of a third-party company, that we recommend, such as VisaExpress.
How to fill in the form DS-160?
The application form DS-160 consists of two parts. On the first part, you must answer questions about personal information as:
- Full name
- Marital Status
- Nationality
- Date & Place of Birth
- Address
- Country
- Mobile number
- Passport number
- Passport book number
- Family information
- Education
- Work, etc.
The second part of the online application form consists of questions on security and background information as:
- if you have ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime.
- If you have ever engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances.
- if you have ever been involved in money laundering.
- if you ever ordered, incited, committed, assisted, or otherwise participated in genocide, etc.
4. Pay your US visa application fee
The next step of the US visa application is paying the US visa application fees.
The Machine Readable Visa Fee for visa applicants depends on the type of visa one applies for. The schedule is tiered as follows:
- MRV Fee – $160
- Petition Based Applicants (H, L, O, P, Q, R) – $190
- E-1, E-2 & E-3 visa applicants – $205
Keep in mind that the visa fee is non-refundable if you decide to cancel your appointment or if your visa application is rejected.
In addition to US visa application fees, you could also be asked to pay US visa issuance fees. Visa issuance fees are determined by the relationship that the US has with your home country. This means that some applicants will have to pay them and some will not. Their amount varies from country to country.
To be able to proceed with your application, you must pay all the necessary fees and retain the receipts for proof.
5. Schedule a US visa interview
All US nonimmigrant visa applicants between 14 and 79 years old are required to go through a US visa interview. To have this mandatory interview, you must schedule an appointment with the US consulate or embassy from which you are applying. Since they might have a high workload and the wait time can range from days to weeks, you must make sure to schedule your interview as early as possible. However, if you fulfill certain conditions, you may be able to get an emergency US visa appointment.
The moment that you submit your Form DS-160, you should make an appointment for your interview. You will then get an interview confirmation letter which you must bring on the day of the interview.
6. Compile the document file
In addition to your application form or Form DS-160, you must also submit documents required for your US visa application which prove to the US consulate that you meet the requirement for the nonimmigrant visa you are applying.
7. Attend the visa interview
The final step in the US visa application process is the US visa interview. You must appear on time at the interview with all your supporting documents. The official who will interview you will ask questions about your background and other relevant details based on the visa you have applied for. If you are going to the US to work, then the interview might be longer than if you were going only for a visit.
8. Wait for processing
After the visa interview, you must wait for your application to be processed. Processing times depend on the type of US visa you applied for, but they can range from a few days to a few months. When your visa is processed, you will find out whether you were approved or denied. You should only make travel arrangements after your visa is approved and not run the risk of making expenses in case it is denied.
To increase your chances of having a successful US. Visitor Visa application you can use the services of VisaExpress.
Do Visitors to the United States Have to Purchase Health Insurance?
Visitors to the United States are not obliged to purchase health insurance. However, due to the high costs of the healthcare system in the United States, you are strongly recommended to have some health insurance coverage purchased before visiting.
The treatment of abroken leg or broken arm will cost you $2,500, whilestaying at a US hospital for one night may cost over $10,000, on average.
Applying for a US Visa From Different Countries
Applicants from the UK
If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, you can travel to the US without a visa. However, this does not hold for all UK residents. To apply for a visa for USA from UK, there are some specific procedures that you must take.
Applicants from Canada
Although Canadians do not need a visa nor an ESTA to travel to the US, Canadian residents who are not citizens of one of the 38 Visa Waiver Countries, should apply for a US visa from Canada to visit the US.
Applicants from Australia
Australian residents who are not citizens of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, should apply for a visa for USA from Australia.
Applicants from UAE
UAE is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, therefore, its citizens need to apply for a US visa. To learn how to apply for a US visa from UAE visit the following articles:
- How to apply for a US Visa in Dubai?
- How to apply for US Visa in Abu Dhabi?
Applicants from Qatar
As Qatar is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, Qatari citizens, as well as residents, might have to apply for a US visa. To learn how to apply for a US visa from Qatar, visit this article.
Applicants from the Philippines
To be able to travel to the US, Philipines citizens and residents need to obtain a US visa. Learn the details of the US visa application in Philippines in this article.
Applicants from India
India is not part of the Visa Waiver Program therefore Indian citizens need to get a visa for USA. Read here about the process of applying for a US visa in India.
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FAQs
How do I fill out my US visa application? ›
- Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Schedule your appointment on this web page. You need three pieces of information in order to schedule your appointment: ...
- Visit the U.S. Embassy on the date and time of your visa interview.
As of November 2022, the median worldwide wait time for a tourist visa (B1/B2) interview appointment is about two months, and applicants with urgent travel needs who meet certain criteria can apply for an emergency appointment, usually available within days.
What are the 5 basic steps to apply for a visa? ›- Step 1 – File a Petition with USCIS. ...
- Step 2 – Case Preparation by the National Visa Center. ...
- Step 3 – Visa Interview Scheduling by the National Visa Center (NVC) ...
- Step 4 – Medical Exam. ...
- Step 5 – The day of the interview. ...
- Step 6 – Visa Approval. ...
- Step 7 – After you receive your visa.
- Employment. Having a job in your home country will not guarantee to have your visa issued. ...
- Family Obligation. ...
- Property and Personal Asset. ...
- Community Involvement. ...
- Travel History.
There is no fixed minimum bank balance for US student visa, but one should have 10,000 USD and above to get F-1 visa.
How do I start processing US visa? ›- For Nonimmigrant Visa applicants: ...
- Once you have determined the correct visa type, you must pay the visa fee. ...
- The next step is to complete the DS-160 form. ...
- You are almost ready to schedule your visa appointment! ...
- Visit the U.S. Embassy on the date and time of your visa interview.
Your passport or travel document must have at least 2 empty visa pages. Your passport or travel document cannot have been issued more than 10 years ago. 2.5 Copies of the passport of the parents. If not applicable, birth certificate of the applicant and copies of the ID cards of the parents.
What is the first step in the getting the visa you want process? ›- Step 1: Select the type of visa you are applying for.
- Step 2: Next, check your eligibility.
- Step 3: Fill the online application form entering all required information.
- Identify visa type. Choose the right visa for your trip. ...
- Begin your application. Get started with your visa application. ...
- Book an appointment. Choose a Visa Application Centre and make an appointment. ...
- Pay your fees. ...
- Visit a Visa Application Centre. ...
- Track your application. ...
- Collect your passport.
In a rush, you may struggle to get an appointment as fast as you may need it. For this reason, travelers should apply early for their visa to avoid any problems. When this is not possible, you can expedite the visa directly at the consulate or apply through an expediting service such as Rush My Travel Visa.
How can I impress a US visa officer? ›
When your turn for the interview comes, enter the room with a smile, greet the officer with a warm hello or hi. S/he may ask you 'how are you doing'. Reply politely and thank them for asking. If your visa is granted, thank them politely and leave.
What is the fastest US visa to get? ›The US student visa (F-1 visa) is one of the fastest visas to process. In fact, the study permit is often processed directly before your embassy interview.
Can I get US visa in 2 days? ›Typically the visa is processed within 2-3 days and your passport can either be collected from the VAC centre or couriered to you.
How does US visa process work? ›- Check if you need a visa.
- Choose the type of US visa you will apply for.
- Fill in the Non-immigrant visa Application Form DS-160.
- Pay your application fee.
- Schedule visa interview.
- Compile the document file.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Wait for processing.
Overview. All applicants are processed as efficiently as possible and the U.S. Embassy or Consulate strives to keep the wait time for appointments as short as possible. That said, the earlier you book your appointment, the more likely you are to be able to get the interview date and time you want.
Can I wear jeans for US visa interview? ›Here are a few tips on what to wear for a visa interview. Choose formal clothing — Professional attire is the way to go with almost any interview, and the same applies to F-1 student visa interviews. Certain formal clothing options such as dress shirts, ties, suits, pantsuits, and jackets are always appropriate.
How do I prove sufficient funds for visa? ›The only recognized way to prove your financial sufficiency are recent bank account statements during the last three months. Attention, bank statements must show the name and address of the owner. The embassies cannot accept Travel Money Cards or cash as proof of sufficient funds.
Does embassy verify bank statements? ›Yes, most embassies verify the bank statements visa applicants submit alongside their visa applications. According to our research with banks, this is how they normally phrase their emails.
How much is US visa processing fee? ›Application fee for L-1 visa to increase from $460 to $1,385. Application fee for O-1 visa to increase from $460 to $1,055. Application fee for H-2B petitions to increase from $460 to $1,080.
How much is the processing of US visa? ›The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190.
How long does a DS 160 visa take to process? ›
There is no processing time for Form DS-160. Once you're done filling it out online, you simply print the confirmation page and bring that with you to your visa interview.
Do visa officers check all documents? ›Financial documents – The officers specifically check for financial documents during the visa interview to ensure that you have the necessary funds to pay for tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, etc., in a foreign land.
How much bank balance is required for visitor visa? ›The amount of bank balance you should have for applying to the US tourist visa depends on the duration. If it is a 15-day trip, you must have $ 5,000-10,000 in your bank.
How many days before visa interview DS 160 should be submitted? ›Is there a limit on the number of days DS-160 must be completed? Once you begin your DS-160 application, you will be required to complete it within 30 days.
How do you answer why should I give you visa? ›- I am passionate about that *subject* and want to gain more knowledge in it.
- There are not many experts in this *field* in India, The knowledge I gained while studying in *college name* will help me stand out once I return to India.
- Types of visas and the fee charged.
- Single Entry Visa.
- Transit visa.
- Courtesy Visa.
- Multiple Entry Visa.
- Referred Visa.
- East Africa Tourist Visa.
After filling in the online application form, the applicant will be required to upload the scanned copy of the necessary documents such as the passport, photograph, etc. to complete the online application. Once the application is submitted, the applicant is required to pay the visa fee based on his/her requirements.
Can I get US visa in 1 week? ›Even though most US Visa applications are processed in 2-3 business days, in case additional processing is required, it may take up to 12 weeks. Moreover it is difficult to get appointments as well. Therefore, you should plan to apply for your US Visa as soon as possible or around 3 months in advance.
Can I get US visa in 10 days? ›USA Tourist Visa processing time
If everything goes fine, embassy will take 3 to 5 days to process the visa and about 10 days for you to receive it.
If a visa application is approved during a visa interview, the average processing time is 7-10 working days. At least a further 2-3 workdays should be allowed for delivery. If you are eligible for the 'Interview Waiver Program' and submit your application by courier without attending an interview.
What not to say in a visa interview? ›
Don'ts During the Visa Interview Process
'Like, Umm, I guess' – Try to avoid using conversation fillers such as 'Like', 'Ummmm', or 'I guess' in a sentence when you are responding to a question. Pay close attention to the questions asked and respond with just the answer. Keep in short and simple.
- Prove you plan to return home. ...
- Explain a lack of travel history. ...
- Demonstrating work responsibilities. ...
- Submit detailed plans. ...
- Prove that you can support yourself. ...
- Consider processing times carefully.
Immigration officers have the authority to turn down visa applications on the basis of data collected from the social media accounts.
Which is the easiest visa to get? ›- Lithuania. Lithuania is one of the easiest European countries to get a visa. ...
- Estonia. Estonia is next on the list of the easiest countries to get a visa in Europe. ...
- Finland. ...
- Iceland. ...
- Slovakia. ...
- Latvia. ...
- Czech Republic.
US Visitor Visa (Business Visa USA and US Tourist Visa)
You should consider a US visitor visa if you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), or if you want to stay in the U.S. for a longer period of time (up to 180 days) for restricted business or touristic purposes.
A usual US visa interview lasts for three to five minutes. Unlike popular belief, this interview isn't a document review. Instead, it is a conversation for the interviewer to see if the applicant is eligible to visit the USA.
How to fill out a DS-160? ›- Step 1: Determine the applicable visa category. ...
- Step 2: Gather the required documents to complete the DS-160. ...
- Step 3: Note the Application ID displayed on the Top Right-Hand Corner of the DS-160 Screen or Save the DS-160 to Your Computer.
- Step 4: Complete the DS-160.
To do this, first complete one DS-160. On the “Thank You” page that follows the confirmation page, you'll see an option to create a family application. Remember, while this will automatically complete some parts of the DS-160 for each family member, everyone still needs their own individual DS-160.
How to schedule US visa appointment a step by step guide? ›- Step 1: Complete the DS-160 form online! ...
- Step 2 - Find the embassy nearest to you! ...
- Step 3 - Pay the non-refundable application fee. ...
- Step 4 - Schedule your visa appointment! ...
- Step 5 - Attend Your Visa Interview. ...
- Step 6 - Pick up your passport with visa.
- Completed DS-160 application form.
- Your passport with at least one blank page to be able to affix visa.
- One photograph fulfilling the requirements set by the U.S authorities.
- Proof of having paid transit visa fees.
- Interview confirmation page and its copy.
How much is DS-160 fee? ›
DS-160 Form Fees and Application Process. The DS-160 fee is $160, which covers the cost to submit your DS-160 F-1 visa application to the US government. This fee is separate from the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee that you pay to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
How many days before visa interview DS-160 should be submitted? ›Is there a limit on the number of days DS-160 must be completed? Once you begin your DS-160 application, you will be required to complete it within 30 days.
Can DS-160 be rejected? ›Providing incorrect or missing information in the application form will result into a US visa rejection. The Ds-160 form in no manner should be left blank, even if the segment does not apply to you. Every detail counts! In addition, you will need to provide documentary evidence.
Is separate DS 160 for husband and wife? ›Can I bring my spouse without filling out another DS-160? All individuals planning to travel to the United States need to fill out their own DS-160. There is a way to save time in the application process for multiple family members by creating a family application (instructions found under the tips section).
What documents do I need for DS 160 interview? ›- An online nonimmigrant DS-160 application form. You can file the form DS-160 here.
- Your valid passport. ...
- One photograph. ...
- Receipt proving payment of $160 for a nonimmigrant US visa application. ...
- Social media details.
The DS 160 form is valid for 30 days from the day you start completing it. Therefore, if you start applying on January 1, the DS 160 form expiration date will be by January 31. Make sure you complete the form on time, or else you will need to start it from the beginning.
How many days before should I book visa appointment? ›How early should I apply for the visa? Applicants should apply as early as possible keeping in mind the average processing times and their intended date of travel. Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days before your date of travel.
What is the easiest US visa to get? ›...
In order to apply for this visa, you'll need to prepare or collect the following:
- Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
- Visa application fee.
- Visa issuance fee.
- Backpacks, bags, luggage, or large purses (purses 12 x 10 x 6 in. ...
- Food and beverages.
- Weapons, including mace or pepper spray.
- Tools, including any sharp or bladed objects.
- Any oils, aerosols or pump sprays, liquids, lotions and powders.
- Any type of fire starter.