- How to Apply
- Case Status
- After the Interview
Step 1. Check the Validity of Your Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States, unless exempt by country-specific agreements. If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
Step 2. Complete the Online Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
- Completed Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 and bring confirmation page only.
Please note that you must answer EVERY question on the application forms. If the answer to a question is “none,” please write “none” (Do not leave it blank). Incomplete/incorrect forms will be returned and will require you to schedule a new interview appointment.
Important!If you travel as a family (or group), each applicant, including children, needs a separate DS-160 application and pay a separate application fee. If your child is under 14 years old, you do not have to schedule an appointment.
Step 3. Supporting documents
Only a passport, DS-160 confirmation page (Step 2), a 2×2 inch (5×5 cm) photo not older than 6 months – with a light or white background are required for B1/B2 visa interview. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of the purpose of your trip, your ability to pay all costs of the trip and other supporting documents related to applicant’s employment, income, property etc.
Note: Visa applicants must qualify based on the applicant’s residence and ties to the country of residence, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a nonimmigrant B1/B2 visa. If you do choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember that it is not one of the factors that we use in determining whether to issue or deny a nonimmigrant tourist visa.
Step 4. Schedule an Interview Appointment
To schedule an appointment for a non-immigrant visa (NIV) interview, please consult the Embassy’s online NIV Appointment System. Please have your DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form Confirmation Number handy. It is located on your DS-160 confirmation page, in bold print.
If you have an unforeseen travel need as per one of the criteria listed below, you may qualify for an expedited appointment at the U.S. Embassy depending on appointment availability.
Step 5. Application and payment
Submit your documents listed in Step 3, and pay non-refundable application fee:
B1/B2 application fee – $185.00 (for all non-petition based non-immigrant visas)
H, L, O, P Q and R category visas – $315.00
Important! All visa related fees are paid in cash in U.S. Dollars. Please bring exact amount.
Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of your application process. They are usually taken during document intake and additionally verified by consular officer during your interview.
Step 6. Visa interview
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
Step 7. Information about additional fees
If your visa is approved and you would like to request longer validity, you may pay additional fee depending on the type of a visa. If you are issued a B1/B-2 Tourism & Visit visa, 3-month multiple entry visa is issued with no additional fee. For longer validity visas, you will need to pay an additional fee.
Number of Entries | Length of Validity | Issuance Fee |
---|---|---|
Multiple Entries | Three months | No Additional Fee |
Multiple Entries | Six Months | $90.00 |
Multiple Entries | Twelve Months | $330.00 |
Step 8. Passport pick up
If you are issued the visa, it will take 3-5 working days to process. Consular officer will inform you about pick up date and time at the end of your visa interview. Please make sure that you bring pictured ID with you (Internal passport, drivers license etc.) and be on time.