How to Apply for a U.S. Visa

Filing for a U.S. visa can take anywhere from a few weeks to years, depending on the type of visa you want, your status in relation to the United States, and how successfully you complete the paperwork. Though no applicant can be guaranteed a visa, the following steps may save time in your attempt to get one.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phone Books
• Phone Books
• Postage Stamps
• Envelopes
• Pens
• Pens

1. Call the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) office nearest you. The number will be listed in the government section of your phone book. If you do not live in the United States, call the nearest American embassy or consulate INS office.

2. Ask for all application documents for the visa you need. They will be sent to you.

3. Ask if you will need a U.S. sponsor - a U.S. resident who will take financial responsibility for you, should you not be able to support yourself. If so, begin your search for a sponsor immediately.

4. Fill out the preliminary application fully and neatly, and mail it back for processing, along with any photos, documents, and fees. Send by registered mail, and send only copies of documents (not the originals), unless otherwise requested.

5. Deliver all completed documents in person to save time and to find out whether your application is complete.

6. Obtain a second packet, depending on your residence status and visa, if your first packet was accepted.

7. Be prepared to have documents officially translated, if they are not already in English.

8. Contact your sponsor immediately (if you need one), and send him or her the necessary documents via registered mail. Have documents sent back express mail or registered mail.

9. Obtain all completed documents and call the INS for an interview/filing appointment, and perhaps a physical exam. This process can take two days and must be completed in person. You will be informed at that time whether you will be given a visa.

Tips & Warnings

• Make multiple copies of documents ahead of time. Depending on the visa, you may be asked for birth certificates, passports, U.S. tax returns for the last three years, social security numbers, proof of marital status, proof of student status, proof of military service, proof of clear criminal record from your local police department, proof of residence in the United States, children's birth certificates, letters from bank officers listing your U.S. bank holdings, photos to prove you and your spouse reside together.
• Be patient, persistent and polite. The INS office deals with thousands of people requesting visas.
• Get advice from any friends who have gone through the application process.
• Check INS Web sites, where you can often download INs forms and save a trip to the INS office. The sites also update users on changes in procedures and requirements (see Related Sites).
• Forms are also available by mail if you call 1-800-870-3676. Information at this number is available in both English and Spanish.
• Fees are not refundable.
• Not all INS offices accept in-person visits.
• You may have to pay for hotel accommodations when you travel to your interview.
• Successfully completing paperwork does not guarantee you will be given a visa.
• You can be denied entry into the United States at your point of entry even if you have been granted a visa.

Who Can Help:

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[dlawyers33]

on 6/18/2009 vcrfix is right. Since 9/11, you are better off hiring an attorney to help. It's more expensive, but you are sure you won't waste time and money or risk that your application is denied for missing document or lack of correct information. When hiring the attorney, make sure that he/she is really licensed to practice immigration law. Ask the attorney in which state(s) he/she is licensed to practice law. Go online (yahoo or google)and type the name of the state + bar association. You will be available to verify if the attorney is licensed to practice and (very important) if he/she is good standing. Also you can visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association (www.aila.org) to find a good and affordable immigration lawyer in your area or to get more info on a particular immigration lawyer.

[vcrfix]

on 5/28/2009 Since 911, the immigration process has change considerably and you are better off hiring an attorney experience with the new US Immigration policy. In 1995, my wife and I did her immigration ourselves, and she was able to get a work permit the next after submitting her application for permanent residency. The USCIS no longer has this policy and takes up to 90 days before you can get a work permit. If you send me a PM, I can give you some reputable attorney's as may be inappropriate to post the list in this comment. Also this years H-1B quota HAS NOT been met and still open.

[bigcharlie]

on 5/8/2009 Thanks...

[fleshlight]

on 4/24/2009 Great article

[2laughcarol]

on 4/6/2009 Nice Tips, but sometimes it takes forever or never.