American Visa Application Forms

Depending on their nationality, travelers to the United States are often required to obtain a visa prior to arrival on American soil. Citizens of some countries are exempt from short-term visitor visas, and all long-term immigrants require a visa. Before planning a trip to the United States, be sure to research American visa requirements for citizens of your country.

Considerations

Residents of Canada and residents of the 27 countries covered in the US Visa Waiver Program can enter the United States without an American visa as long as they can present a scannable passport at the border. Check the Visa Waiver Program website (see Resources) to see if your country is a participant. If your country is not listed, you will need to contact the nearest American consulate or embassy for details about visa applications.

Types

The type of American visa you will need depends on your purpose of travel to the United States. The most common type of American visa is for temporary visitors to the United States; "temporary" is classified as any traveler who wishes to stay in the United States on a non-permanent basis. Students, tourists and business travelers are covered under this type of visa. The other type of American visa is the immigrant visa. Major types of immigrant visas are for immediate relatives, special immigrants, family-sponsored immigrants and employer-sponsored immigrants.

Time Frame

Because of new governmental regulations, an American visa may now take longer to obtain than in the past. The American government advises travelers who are applying for visas to apply as far in advance as possible. The additional regulations may require longer processing times or additional application steps for citizens of certain countries. The immigrant visa process is considerably more detailed than the non-immigrant visa.

Identification

The application form for an American visa requires applicants to provide contact information, passport information, personal details and information about the purpose and length of travel in the United States. In addition to a visa application form, applicants for American visas will often need to schedule an interview, provide fingerprints and pay fees.

Warning

Within the two main categories of American visas are other sub-categories that are specific to each visa. Students, for example, have a different visa than a short-term tourist visa, but both fall under the non-immigrant visa category. Be sure to research the details of your visa carefully, and avoid violating regulations. Students who violate a non-working clause, for example, run the risk of deportation.

Resources

• American Visas
• US Department of State: Visas
• Visa Waiver Program countries