LEARN HOW TO APPLY FOR A U.S. VISA

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a US VISA ELIGIBILITY, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Citizens of qualified countries may be also able to visit the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program or are traveling to study, work, or participate in an exchange program, you must apply for a nonimmigrant visa.

Applicants for U.S. visas are required to appear in person for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You must schedule an appointment for that interview, either online using this website or through the call center.

Supporting Documents

To schedule a nonimmigrant visa appointment, you must have the following information and documents available:

• A passport valid for travel to the APPLY US VISA ONLINE with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions. If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application;
• Your visa application (MRV) fee payment receipt;
• Your DS-160 confirmation page;
• Your e-mail address; and
• If applicable, required documents based on visa class (such as a petition approval for petition-based visas; more information about visa types and information about each can be found here).
• 10-year travel history
• List of siblings and children

Note for Attendants:

Please visit this page ‘Security Regulations’ to check on the security restrictions followed, and also check the policy for attendants to accompany the visa applicant at the Embassy/Consulate.

Restrictions to Changing Appointments

Applicants are limited to the number of times they can reschedule their appointments. Please plan accordingly so that you are not required to pay another visa application fee.

Do Visitors to the United States Have to Purchase Health Insurance?

Visitors to the United States are not obliged to purchase health insurance. However, due to the high costs of the healthcare system in the United States, you are strongly recommended to have some health insurance coverage purchased before visiting.

The treatment of a broken leg or broken arm will cost you $2,500, while staying at a US hospital for one night may cost over $10,000, on average.

Applying for a US Visa From Different Countries

Applicants from the UK

If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, you can travel to the US without a visa. However, this does not hold for all UK residents. To apply for a visa for USA from UK, there are some specific procedures that you must take.

Applicants from Canada

Although Canadians do not need a visa nor an ESTA to travel to the US, Canadian residents who are not citizens of one of the 38 Visa Waiver Countries, should apply for a US visa from Canada to visit the US.

Applicants from Australia

Australian residents who are not citizens of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, should apply for a visa for USA from Australia.