How to Apply for a Visa to the United States
A nonimmigrant visa allows an immigrant to travel to the United States on a temporary basis, such as tourism, medical treatment, temporary work, school or business. Applying for a nonimmigrant visa is a difficult task because it is your responsibility to prove that you have no intention to remain in the United States after your visa expires. To enter the United States legally, you must have a visa in your traveler's passport.
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Instructions
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Visit the U.S. Department of State website and complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Application form by typing your information into the online form. Print out the form.
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Contact your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate and schedule an appointment. Locate your local Embassy or Consulate by visiting the U.S. Embassy website.
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Gather all the documents needed for your application. This information includes travel arrangements to the United States, proof that you have ties to your home country, proof of your purpose for the trip and financial statements proving your financial resources. Proof of ties to your country includes employment verification, family and financial assets.
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Pay the processing fee. As of November 2010, the fee for a non-petition based nonimmigrant visa is $140, a petition-based visa is $150 and an E visa is $390. Your local U.S. Embassy website has instructions on how to pay the processing fee. Normally a specific local bank is designated to receive the fees.
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Attend your scheduled appointment and submit your completed application, supporting documents and passport. You must demonstrate to the consular officer that you are only visiting and have no intention of immigrating to the United States illegally. If you pass the interview, you can expect to have your visa within a few weeks.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are planning to move to the United States on a permanent basis, you must have a sponsor. The sponsor must be a relative over the age of 21 and a United States citizen or a prospective employer.
You and your sponsor must complete a series of applications and forms. The forms you must complete depend on the reasoning for immigrating.
The process to receive an immigrant visa may take up to three years to complete.
For more information on obtaining an immigrant visa, visit the United States Department of Defense website.
There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa.
References
Resources
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