Planning to apply for a nonimmigrant USA visa application but unsure where to start?
All international travelers, regardless of age, wishing to enter the United States on a temporary basis, including for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, or other similar reasons are required to apply for nonimmigrant United States visa.
Whereas, all citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries can travel to the United States without a visa via submitting an ESTA application. An approved ESTA forms will enable its holder to travel to the United States for a short term visit of 90 days or less for tourism or business purposes.
In applying for US, here are some important steps in process and US visa info.
Prior to starting your visa application, please make sure you have: your valid original passport (valid for at least six months beyond your expected arrival date in USA) and any previous U.S. visas you have had and documentation about your travel plans.
The Visa Application Process
Payment of Application Fee. All nonimmigrant visa applicants are required to pay the machine-readable visa application fee based on the purpose of the trip or visa category. In paying, please don’t forget to have with you, your passport number as this will be tied to the MRV fee paid at the bank. You can pay the MRV fee, either via accredited bank or online. Don’t forget also to bring the accomplished printed application form. Your payment will be activated four hours after the time the cash payment was made or 24 hours for on-line payment. Please do secure a proof of fee payment, which is a valid receipt from the accredited bank or online receipt, print it. This is needed when you have your interview.
Secure the Basic Requirements. Do prepare the necessary requirements namely:
Printout of the DS160 US Visa application confirmation. You can complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application from the Consular Electronic Application Center website. Make sure you have the CEAC Barcode.
Valid Passport. Have also your passport valid for at least six months from the date of intended departure from the United States. Make sure that your passport is in good condition, i.e., photo lamination is undamaged, and all passport pages are intact.
One photograph as per specification. Make sure you have both digital and hard copy of the photograph.
Visa related info. To avoid delays in processing visa applications, ensure to have the following information is correctly provided: Applicant’s Complete Name (required format is Surname, First Name(s), Middle Name); Applicant’s Passport Information (the passport used in filling out the form must be the same passport presented on the day of the interview), Other Names (for married female applicants, type your complete maiden name), Purpose of Trip (if the answer falls under “Other,” specify the purpose of travel in the blank provided), Primary Occupation (if the answer falls under “Other,” specify the occupation in the blank provided), Contact Person and Contact Address in the United States, Father’s Complete Name, and Mother’s Complete Maiden Name. You will also need your complete travel plan with dates (in other words, your itinerary); proof of funds (bank statement, copy of passbook, any other proof of cash; tax ID, PAN ID, copy of last year’s tax documents; and business card if you have one.
Schedule an Interview. Book an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. During the interview, please make sure to bring all the above mentioned documents and also your original interview appointment letter.