How To Apply For A US Visa – The Best Guide
Do you want to learn how to apply for a US visa? For a majority of people worldwide, wanting to go to the US means that they need a visa. Every individual has a different agenda for wanting to travel to the US. It could be for tourism, business, working, studying, or permanently moving there. the country attracts a variation of people with several objectives and the desire to achieve “the American dream”. Never the less, there are many barriers one of which is getting a visa.
Table of Contents
US VISA APPLICATION.
There is a straightforward application procedure to be followed when applying for a US visa. This visa application is done at a US consulate or embassy in your country of residence following these easy steps:
- Check if u need a visa.
- Choose the type of visa you intend to apply for.
- Fill in the application form DS‐160.
- Pay your application fee.
- schedule visa interview.
- Compile the document file.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Wait for processing.
CHECK IF YOU NEED A VISA
Citizens of 38 visa waiver countries do not need to apply for a visa to the US.
CHOOSE THE VISA TYPE
This step requires you to choose the type of visa that you want to get. Given that there are differences, you should pay extra attention in order to choose the right type of visa to apply for.
FILLING THE APPLICATION FORM DS ‐160
The Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form otherwise known as Form DS ‐160, is the US visa application form that must be filled if applying for a US nonimmigrant visa. This 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;
- the consular electronic application center, or
- by using the services of a third-party company such a TravelAssist.
WHY DO WE ADVISE TO APPLY THROUGH TRAVEL ASSIST?
- The staff fills in the form DS ‐160 to book your visa appointment with the US embassy/consulate.
- TravelAssist staff will provide you with a complete list of documents for your visa application. They will also check your prepared application file to ensure that your application has the highest possibility of success.
- the staff of Travel Assist will provide 24/7 online support concerning your US visa application.
- In case of a successful US visa application, TravelAssist will get you your visa quickly.
- If your US visa application is denied, they offer travel protection that will cover your financial expenses.
- TravelAssist is a company that specializes in processing US visa applications and has assisted over 65000 people enter the united states. They provide end-‐to-‐ end visa assistance to help you successfully enter the united states.
WHAT DOES FORM DS -160 CONTAIN?
The application form DS-‐160 is made of two parts. The first part entails questions about personal information such as:
- Full names
- Marital status
- Nationality
- Date and place of birth
- Address
- Country
- Mobile number
- Passport number
- Passport book number
- Family information
- Education
- Work, etc.
The second part of the form DS-‐160 consist of questions with respect to security and background information such as;
- If you have ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime.
- If you have ever taken part in a plot to violate, any law regarding controlled substances.
- If you have ever been involved with laundering.
- If you have ordered, encourage, committed, assisted or even participated in genocide, etc.
PAY YOUR VISA APPLICATION FEE.
The next stage in this process is to pay the US visa application fee.
The Machine Readable Visa fee for US visa applicants is based on the type of visa an individual applies for. Here below is how the schedule is ranked;
- MRV fee which cost $160
- Petition Based Applicants (H,L,O,P,Q,R)=$190
- E-1, E‐2 & E-3 VISA APPLICANTS=$205
It is worthy of note that the visa fee is none refundable in case you decide to cancel your appointment, or in a situation where the visa application is rejected
As an addition to the visa application fee, one can also be required to pay us visa issuance fees. These fees are determined by the relationship between the US and your home country. With that being said, some applicants will have to pay them and others will not. Their amounts vary from country to country.
In order to proceed with your US visa application, you are required to pay all the necessary fees and carefully keep the receipts for proof.
SCHEDULE US VISA INTERVIEW
It is obligatory for all US nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 to go through a US visa interview. To have this interview, you must schedule an appointment with the US consulate or embassy from which you are applying. Given that they might have their hands full and the wait time can take as longs as weeks or months, you must be sure to book your interview as early as possible.
Once the form DS-160 is submitted, an appointment should be made for your interview .An interview confirmation letter will then be sent to you which you must bring on the day of the interview.
COMPILE THE DOCUMENT FILE.
Apart from your application form (Form DS-160), you are also required to submit documents needed for USA Visa application which serves as evidence to the US consulate that you have met the prerequisites for the nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
ATTEND THE INTERVIEW.
The last but not the least step in the US visa application process is to attend the US visa interview. You must be at the interview with all your required documents on time. During the interview, the official in charge will ask you questions about your background and other necessary details depending on the type of visa you applied for. If your motive for traveling which is work-related, your interview might be longer than if you were to visit.
WAIT FOR PROCESSING.
After the visa interview, you must wait for your application to be processed. the duration of the process depends on the type of visa you applied for. They generally can last from a few days to a few months. You will find out whether you have been approved or denied after your visa has been processed. Arrangements to travel should only be made after your visa is approved so as to avoid the risk of making expenses in case it is denied.
DO VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES HAVE TO PURCHASE HEALTH INSURANCE?
Individuals who intend to visit the united states are not obliged to purchase health insurance. Nevertheless, you are strongly recommended to have your self covered before visiting due to the high cost of the health care system in the united states.
To treat a broken arm might cost up to you $2,500, while staying at a US hospital for one night may cost over $10,000 on average.
Cheap health insurance coverage plans can be offered by private companies such as VisitorsCoverage.
WHY DO WE RECOMMEND VISITORSCOVERAGE?
- VisitorsCoverage specialize in offering health insurance plan to international visitors in the United States.
- They are a well-established company in the health industry, with over 10 years of experience.
- They have an efficient customer service who will be available to assist you seven days a week.
- For the lowest rates, you will get valuable information on choosing a plan that suits you best.
- VisitorsCoverage is highly rated for its amazing customer service, attention to details and hassle-free online experience. They have got over 2 million satisfied clients.
US VISA APPLICATION FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
APPLICANTS FROM THE UK
For citizens of the United Kingdom, it is possible to travel to the united states without a visa. However, this doesn’t apply to all UK residents. There are some specific procedures that must be followed when applying for a US visa from the UK.
APPLICANTS FROM CANADA
Canadians do not need a visa to travel to the US. Despite the fact that Canadians do not need a visa to travel to the US, Canadian residents who are not citizens of one of the 38 visa waiver countries have to apply for a visa from Canada so as to visit the US.
APPLICANTS FROM AUSTRALIA.
A visa for USA from Australia should be applied by Australian residents who are not citizens of a participant country in the visa waiver program
APPLICANTS FROM UAE.
The United Arab Emirates isn’t one 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 UC visa in Abu Dhabi?
APPLICANTS FROM QATAR.
This country isn’t part of the visa waiver program. Citizens of Qatar as well as its residents will need to apply for a visa.
APPLICANTS FROM THE PHILIPPINES.
In order to travel to the US, Philippines citizens and residents need to apply for a US visa.
US IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION PROCESS.
This is the second type of US visas. The immigrant visa has different US visa application requirements. They equally start at a US consulate or embassy ad the following guidelines for the application for US visa which is of an immigrant type.
FILE THE PETITIONS.
In case you are applying for an immigrant visa based on family reunion or employment, the family or employer n the US must submit a petition for you at USCIS The responsible authority shall review the petition and
you must only wait to find out if it shall be approved or not. Without an approved petition, you can’t take any further steps because if it is denied, all your efforts and payments will not be refunded.
You shall be directed to the National Visa Center (NVC) in case your petition is approved, which require you to go through more steps in order to get to your visa interview. You will a letter from MVC which contains important information that coaches you through the application process. Some of the important information are your NVC case number, Beneficiary ID Number, and Invoice ID number.
CHOOSE AN AGENT
The agent serves as a middleman for your visa matters. You are obliged to legally select an agent to proceed with the immigration visa application. You can choose yourself as an agent or u can choose a friend, family member, an attorney or a sponsoring employer
To choose an agent, you must file form DS-261.Choice of address and agent to the NVC which will take at least 3 weeks to be processed.
PAY THE US IMMIGRATION FEES
There is a minimum of two fees that need to be paid when applying for a US immigrant visa.
- Immigrant visa application fee
- Affidavit of support fee.
These fees can either be paid via credit card or check. This step needs to be completed online based on the guidance found in your NVC letter.
Your NVC case number and invoice ID number will also be needed to proceed with this step.
SUBMIT US IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION FORM
If applying for an immigrant visa, you should file form DS-260, Application for immigrant visa and alien registration. Do not complete your immigrant visa application until you are invited for the interview and your date is current. When filing for form DS-260 you will need your NVC case number, beneficiary ID number, and invoice ID number. You will get a confirmation page and number at the end when it is submitted.
You will personal information such as;
- your full name in English characters
- Full name in native alphabet
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Nationality
- Home address
- Phone number
- Occupation
- Education
- Family information: Parents, spouse/previous spouse, children
- Previous US travel information
There are a few questions on security and background related to;
- Medical and health information
- Criminal information
- Security information
- Immigration law violation information
- Miscellaneous, etc.
In both application forms, all answers must be in English, with English letters. A majority of the questions are mandatory but there r a few questions that u can choose whether or not to answer. At the end of the application form, there is a ‘sign button’ which you should click on. Failure to do say results in US visa refusal.
After filling the form, submit it and print the confirmation page. Take this page along with you on the day of the visa interview as proof that you submitted the application.
SUBMITTING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR US IMMIGRANT VISAS
Despite the standard required documents, you might be asked to submit additional ones depending on the type of immigrant visa you are applying for.IT is noteworthy that all documents should be in English and those that aren’t must be accompanied by an official and authorized translation. These documents must be submitted to the NVC based on the information you have received on the letter,
ATTEND YOUR INTERVIEW
Depending on your current date, the NVC will schedule an interview with you and any accompanying family members. This is often done one month before the interview to give applicants time to prepare their documents and get ready for the interview. At the interview, an official shall ask questions that will determine whether or not you are eligible and meet all requirements for a US immigrant visa.
There you have it for how to apply for a US visa. If you have any questions let us know in the comment section below.
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