How to Get US Visa

 

When travelling to the United States, one requires to avail a visa to enter. One should also keep in mind that the procedure to avail a visa varies with the type of visa one is applying for and also that even if a visa is granted it does not mean guaranteed entry into the country. Regardless having a valid visa is a must to enter the United States. One can apply for a visa either through a travel agent or online. The below article outlines the procedure involved in applying for a US Visa

Why Do You Need A Visa To US?

There may a variety of reasons why you may feel the necessity to travel to the United States. The first thing you would require to visit USA is a Visa. A Visa is an official permit that helps you enter a foreign country and stay there permanently or for a specific period of time.

Based on the purposes and duration of your stay, the United States of America offers different classes and subclasses of Visas. The United States of America follows a strict process of Visa issuance. The majority of the Visa applications to the USA are non-immigrant Visa applications which allow Indians to visit the USA and stay there for a predetermined period of time. When it comes to apply for an Immigrant Visa that allows foreign citizens settle permanently in the USA, the country issues limited number of Visas.

Different Types of Visas Offered By the USA

There are different types of US Visa offered to Indian citizens. They are mainly categorized as Immigrant Visa and Non-Immigrant Visa

Immigrant Visa: It is issued to Indian citizens who wish to stay permanently in the USA. The country issues a limited number of immigrant Visas to foreign citizens. (Can be linked to difference between difference between immigrant and non-immigrant Visas)

Non-Immigrant Visa: It is issued to foreign citizens who wish to visit the USA for specific period of time. There are different types of Non-immigrant Visas that are issued based on the purpose and duration of your travel in the US. Listed below are the different types of non-immigrant Visas offered by the United States

• Business Visa

Procedure for applying for immigrant Visa: A US Visa applicant needs to go through the following procedure while applying for an immigrant Visa

1. You need to have a police clearance certificate issued by the Regional Passport Office. It remain valid for one year.
2. You should have a sound health and complete the medical examination test conducted approved medical doctors.
3. Then, proceed to complete the DS-260 Form with your Invoice ID number and Beneficiary ID number.
4. Pay the Visa fees.
5. Once you are done with the DS-260 form, you can book your appointment for Visa interview.

Procedure for Applying For Non-Immigrant Visa

The US Visa application procedure for non- immigrant Visa is listed below:

1. First select your Visa type. Based on the purpose of your travel, you need to choose your Visa category.
2. Next, complete the Visa application form DS-160 carefully. Make sure all your details are entered correctly. Because, once you submit the form, you cannot make any change.
3. Pay the fees applicable on your Visa type. You can pay it through NEFT, Mobile Payment and Cash.
4. Now, you can schedule your Visa interview with the US Embassy. You need to schedule two interviews- one for Visa Application Centre and the other one for interview at the US Embassy.

Documents to Be Carried For US Visa Interview

If you are applying for an Immigrant Visa, you need to carry the following documents to your Visa interview:

For Immigrant Visa application:

• DS-260 confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Centre
• Current and all old passports,
• Police Clearance Certificate issued by the Regional Passport Office.
• Medical examination report
• Supporting Documents as per your Visa type
• For non-immigrant Visa application:
• Copy of your appointment confirmation letter.
• DS-160 confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Centre.
• Current and all old passports
• Supporting documents required for your Visa type.

Procedure for applying for immigrant Visa: A US Visa applicant needs to go through the following procedure while applying for an immigrant Visa

1. You need to have a police clearance certificate issued by the Regional Passport Office. It remain valid for one year.
2. You should have a sound health and complete the medical examination test conducted approved medical doctors.
3. Then, proceed to complete the DS-260 Form with your Invoice ID number and Beneficiary ID number.
4. Pay the Visa fees.
5. Once you are done with the DS-260 form, you can book your appointment for Visa interview.

Procedure for Applying For Non-Immigrant Visa

The US Visa application procedure for non- immigrant Visa is listed below:

1. First select your Visa type. Based on the purpose of your travel, you need to choose your Visa category.
2. Next, complete the Visa application form DS-160 carefully. Make sure all your details are entered correctly. Because, once you submit the form, you cannot make any change.
3. Pay the fees applicable on your Visa type. You can pay it through NEFT, Mobile Payment and Cash.
4. Now, you can schedule your Visa interview with the US Embassy. You need to schedule two interviews- one for Visa Application Centre and the other one for interview at the US Embassy.

Documents to Be Carried For US Visa Interview

If you are applying for an Immigrant Visa, you need to carry the following documents to your Visa interview:

For Immigrant Visa application:

• DS-260 confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Centre
• Current and all old passports,
• Police Clearance Certificate issued by the Regional Passport Office.
• Medical examination report
• Supporting Documents as per your Visa type
• For non-immigrant Visa application:
• Copy of your appointment confirmation letter.
• DS-160 confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Centre.
• Current and all old passports
• Supporting documents required for your Visa type.

How to Schedule an Appointment for US Visa

You can schedule your US Visa appointment online. What you have to do is to log in to your profile with the same credentials that you used to pay your Visa fee. The, you would see the dashboard where you need to click on the Schedule Appointment" button and schedule your appointment.

You need to schedule two appointments- one at the Visa Application Centre and other at the Embassy. Usually, the majority of Visa application interviews to USA from India are scheduled by the National Visa Centre or Kentucky Consular Center. Before you go for your Visa interview, schedule a Category 1 appointment with the Visa Application Center to get your fingerprint and photograph captured.

It’s important you arrive at the interview venue 15 minutes before time. You can also cancel or reschedule your appointment as per your needs.

How to Pay US Visa Fees

You can pay your Visa fees online by using NEFT, Mobile Payment and Cash. It is non-refundable. Individuals having diplomatic passports are exempted from paying Visa fees, irrespective of the purpose of travel and Visa type. Besides, the official passport holders are also not charged for official Visas. However, they need to appear for Visa interview at the US Embassy on any working day between 11am to 12pm.

The non-immigrant Visa fees can be paid in cash at select branches of AXIS or Citibank

Information needed for scheduling US Visa Interview

A Visa applicant needs to keep the following information handy while scheduling a Visa interview appointment with the US Embassy:

• Visa application fee receipt number.
• Passport number.
• The barcode number from the DS-160 confirmation page. It is a 10 digit number.

What if I need to take an emergency Visa interview appointment?

You can get an emergency appointment for your US Visa appointment. Emergency appointments are granted when a Visa applicant has genuine medical and humanitarian emergencies. It includes obtaining medical care, attending funeral, making some urgent business trips, and taking admission into foreign universities.

To avail emergency Visa interview appointments, the applicants needs to provide valid supporting documents. The applicant can take an emergency appointment by filling the DS-160 Form and purchasing a valid fee receipt before appearing for the interview.

In case, you fail to prove your reason for seeking an emergency appointment or it appears to the immigration authority that you have misrepresented the reasons for travel, it may adversely affect your Visa application and you may denied Visa.

The following conditions do not qualify for emergency Visa interview appointments to USA:

• Attending marriage ceremony.
• Helping pregnant relatives.
• Participating in annual business/educational conferences.
• Participating in pleasure trips.

US Visa Refusal

Your US Visa May be rejected under the following circumstances:

• Incomplete Visa application
• Supporting documents missing
• You fail to fulfill the eligibility conditions required for the Visa category.
• You have criminal records.
• Lack of adequate finance to support your trip to the United States
• Your intention of returning is not clear.
• Your passport does not have enough blank pages.
• If you country of residence does not have a good relationship with your destination country.
• If you have not used a Visa issued to your previously.
• If you don’t have a legitimate reason for visiting the country.
• If you fail to submit adequate proof against your eligibility

FAQs

1. What if I missed my Visa interview appointment for US Visa?

If you have missed your Visa interview appointment, you can reschedule a category 3 appointment.

2. How do I pay my US Visa application fees?

You can pay your Visa application fees by using your credit or debit card or send it via bank draft in favor of US Consulate General, Mumbai in case your appointment has been booked in the embassy located in Mumbai.

3. How to renew my US Visa?

You can renew your US Visa online by providing some key information like name, email-Id and phone number. The process of USA Visa renewal may take several weeks and it depends on how quickly you can get an appointment at the U.S. Embassy.

4. What is a work Visa? How do I get a work Visa to USA?

It is a kind of Visa that allows you to stay in the United States for a particular period of time and work there. Having a work Visa is a must to work in any foreign countries.
Usually, it is your employer who applies for work permit on your behalf by contacting the immigration authority of the USA located in India. The United States of America offers different type of work Visas based on the duration of your stay and the severity of your work.

5. If I apply for an immigrant Visa to US, does my child also need to attend the interview?

Yes. Your child also needs to attend the Visa interview at the US Embassy located in your country.

6. What if I don't have a police clearance certificate? Will I be allowed to attend my scheduled Visa immigrant Visa interview to USA?

No. You will not be allowed entry into either US Embassy New Delhi or US Embassy Mumbai, if you don’t have a police clearance certificate. Having a PCC is a must to enter the United States.

7. Under what circumstances my immigrant Visa application may remain pending?

Your immigrant Visa application may be refused or it may be put on hold under Section 221(g), if your application lacks required information or it needs additional administrative processing.

8. What is a K Visa?

It is a type of US Visa issued to fiance or fiancee of a United States citizen to enter the United States. The fiance/fiancée needs to marry the US Citizen who requests for this Visa within 90 days from the date of entry into the United States.

9. How do I apply for a US Visa?

You can apply for a US Visa by online by submitting a complete application form supported by all required information.

10. What is the meaning of FNU in US Visa?

FNU stands for First Name Unknown. If you don't have first name or surname, your only name will be printed on the surname section of your Visa page and your first name will be printed as FNU.

11. What if my passport is about to expire in 2 months and I need to apply for a US Visa?

You need apply for a new passport, before you apply for a Visa to USA.

12. What if I have a valid Visa to US, but my passport is expiring soon?

In that case, you need to apply for a new passport and carry both the new and old passports with you when you travel to USA. You may be required to apply for a new Visa.

13. What do I do, if my US Visa gets damaged?

If your Visa to USA is damaged for some reason, you need to apply for a new Visa.

14. What if My Visa to USA was printed incorrectly?

If your Visa was printed incorrectly, please inform your concerned embassy office immediately and explain the error. It will take necessary steps to rectify the error.

15. I have a valid H1-B Visa and I want to change my employer. Is it possible?

Yes. It is possible to changer your employer. What you have to do is to inform U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

16. What do I do, when my Visa is lost or stolen?

You should immediately inform Indian Police and get a police report. Also, you need to inform the Fraud Prevention Unit stating all your details such as name, date of birth, nationality, a copy of your lost Visa, the reason of loss etc.

17. Can I get a replacement for my lost US Visa?

No, you will not get a replacement. The lost Visa cannot be replaced. You need to apply for a new Visa again.

18. What is an H1B Visa?

It is a multiple entry non-immigrant Visa issued to foreign workers to work in the United States.

19. What is a L1 Visa?

It is also a non-immigrant Visa that allows large multinational companies transfer especially skilled employees to the US on temporary basis.

20. What is H4 Visa?

It is type of Visa issued to the dependents of an H Visa holder. It is issued to spouse and children who can accompany you to US, but they are not allowed to work there.

21. What is an SB1 Visa? Who needs it?

It is a Returning Resident Visa. It is required by those who has stayed outside the United States for longer than one year or beyond the validity period or re-entry permit. They need new immigrant Visas to enter US and continue to be permanent residents of the USA.

22. How to apply for a Returning Visa to USA?

You can apply for a Returning Resident Visa by filling UP the Form 117 and booking a Category -2 appointment for your Visa interview.

23. Can I reschedule my US Visa interview?

Yes. You can reschedule your US Visa interview.

24. Do I need to carry my original documents to my US Visa Interview?

It depends on the Visa type you have applied for. However, it is better you carry all your original documents along with you.

25. What is Section 214(b) for US Visa?

Section 214 (b) is a part of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act, under which Visa applicants fail to qualify for a nonimmigrant status. This section states that every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a Visa that he is entitled to nonimmigrant status. It means that the Consular Officers have to assume that all Visa applicants intend to leave their home country and want to immigrate to the US. During the Visa interview, the applicants have to prove that this assumption of the officers is wrong.