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Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the
United Sates must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or
an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant
visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for
pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Persons planning to travel to the United States for
different purpose such as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalist, etc., must
apply for a different visa in the appropriate category.
How
to apply?
Requirements
Optional Documents
Sample Invitation Letter
Online Application
Affidavit of Support
HOW
TO APPLY?
Applicants for visitor visas
should apply at the United States Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place
of permanent residence.
Applicants for visitor visas
must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act *INA).
The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant.
Applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:
- the purpose of their trip is to enter the United States for
business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
- that they plan to remain for a specific limited period; and
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REQUIREMENTS
Form OF-156 (available at all United
States consular offices), or to obtain the Visitor Visa Application click Form
OF-156, the application fee is $45.00;
a valid passport, with a validity date at
least six months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the
United States. If more than one person is included in the passport, each
person desiring a visa must fill out an application;
two photographs 1½ inches square (37x37)
for each applicant, showing full face, without head covering, against a
light background.
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OPTIONAL
DOCUMENTS
Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as visitors under the
United States laws. Evidence, which shows the purpose of the trip, intends to depart the
United States, and arrangements made to cover the cost of the trip may be provided.
Persons traveling to the United States on
business can present a letter from the U.S. business firm indicating the purpose of the
trip, the bearer’s intended length of stay and the firm intent to defray travel
costs.
Persons traveling to the United States for pleasure may use letters from relatives or
friends in the United States whom the applicant plans to visit or confirmation of
participation in a planned tour.
Persons traveling to the
United States for medical treatment should have a statement from a doctor or institution
concerning proposed medical treatment.
Those applicants who do not
have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the United States must present
convincing evidence that an interested person will provide support, in this case and
Affidavit of Support is recommended.
Depending on individual
circumstance, applicants may provide other evidence substantiating the trip’s purpose
and specifying the nature of biding obligations, such as family ties or employment, which
would compel their return abroad.
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