Immigration to the US is a dream for almost every ambitious non-American on earth. However making it to the US needs proper and comprehensive planning. The most important part is to get a valid Visa to be able to reach the US to chase one's dreams. Now how to apply and get that much cherished Visa? Here goes detailed information about how to apply for a USA Visa .
Excluding Canadians and those visiting under the Visa Waiver Program, foreigners need to obtain visa from a US consulate/embassy. In majority of countries, the applicant has to appear for personal interview with all of his/her credentials. Thereafter following the issuance of Visa to USA, the consulate would inform the applicant to undergo National Security Entry/Exit Registration System (NSEERS) procedures upon arrival in US.
The applicant's passport must be valid for minimum of six months longer than his/her intended stay in the USA (with occasional exceptions) and he/she has to submit a recent photograph with the application. There is a processing fee of $100 along with an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee. Apart from the main nonimmigrant visa application form (DS-156), all applicants aged 16-45 have to submit a DS-157 form detailing their travel plans. In almost all cases, visa applicants need to reveal evidence of financial stability, a round-trip or onward ticket, and home bound obligations.
Of the non-immigrant visitor's visa, type B1 is available for business purposes, while B2 is meant for visiting friends and relatives. Such type of visa is suitable for multiple entries in the US over one or five years. People, who intend to reach the USA for job or study purpose, need to have a different type of Visa and the company or organization to which they go should make for the arrangements. Other classifications of non-immigrant visas include F1 visa for students undertaking a recognized course, an H1, H2, or H3 visa for temporary employment, a J1 visa for exchange visitors, K1 visa for fiancé/fiancée of an American citizen, K 3 for spouse of an American citizen, and an L 1 visa for intracompany transfers.
• Visa Waiver Program:
Under the Visa Program, citizens from certain countries (27 of them currently) can enter the US without the Visa for stays of three months or less. Under this provision, entrants must produce all evidence as for a nonimmigrant Visa application.
• Refusal of Visa:
US authorities can refuse Visa or entry into the US on following grounds:
1. criminal record;
2. prostitution;
3. ex-Nazi;
4. communicable disease
• Registration:
For most visitors registration consists of having photo taken and having electronic (inkless) fingerprints made of each index finger. The same procedure is followed at time of exit.
• Visa Extensions:
If any applicant needs to stay in the USA longer than what the passport permits, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service needs to be contacted for applying for an extension well before the expiry of the original period of stay. In case the date has passed, you need to produce support for your good character and lawful activities in the US.
