How to Apply for an American Visa

An American visa allows aliens to legally enter the United States for a definite or indefinite length of time. There are predominantly two types of American visas: immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas. Immigrant visas allow aliens to legally enter the United States to live and work permanently, whereas nonimmigrant visas are usually for short-term purposes. Nonimmigrant visa holders are not allowed to work in the United States without a work permit.

Instructions

1. Complete Form DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and pay the visa processing fee. For information on visa fees, see the "Resources" section.
   Note that the processing fee is nonrefundable. You will find an electronic version of Form DS-156 in the "Resources" section of this article.

   All foreign nationals seeking an American visa, irrespective of the visa type, must complete Form DS-156. Be sure that you complete the form as accurately and as truthfully as possible.

2. Submit Form DS-156, and provide proof to the U.S. Embassy in your home country that you qualify as a U.S. visitor. Evidence of proof may include, but is not limited to, a letter of invitation from an individual, organization, or company in the United States, and evidence that you have made arrangements to receive medical attention in the United States.

   Upon providing this proof, you will be contacted by the U.S. Embassy in your country with details on how to schedule a nonimmigrant visa interview.

3. Schedule, attend, and pass a nonimmigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in your home country. Note that scheduling times for visa interviews vary according to the workload of the U.S. Embassy in your home country. For an estimate of what the average wait times are, see the "Resources" section.

   Upon passing your visa interview, your American visa will be issued.

Tips & Warnings

• Upon scheduling your nonimmigrant visa interview, take any written correspondence you received from the embassy with you. Also, demonstrate to the immigration officer during your visa interview that you have enough financial resources to take care of yourself during your stay in America. One way to prove this is by providing the immigration officer with original bank statements from your bank.

• In addition, convince the immigration officer during your visa interview that you truly intend to leave the United States before the expiration of your visa. U.S. immigration officers have the right to deny a nonimmigrant visa to an applicant if they believe that the applicant intends to live in the United States permanently.

References

• U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs

Resources

• U.S. Department of State: Visa Fees
• U.S. Department of State: Visa Wait Times
• U.S. Department of State: Form DS-156, Application for Nonimmigrant Visa