USA visa

Millions of people enter and leave the United States each year. It is a popular tourist and immigration destination.

However, if you are not a resident of the United States, you will likely need a visa to enter the country.  A US visa is a stamp you put on your travel document, specifically your passport, that means you are eligible to enter the United States. Having a US visa does not necessarily mean you will enter the United States, as this is at the discretion of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CPB) (inspectors).

 
 

Do I Need to Apply for a US Visa?

Citizens of the following countries need to apply for a visa to be able to enter the United States:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. Albania
  3. Algeria
  4. Angola
  5. Antigua and Barbuda
  6. Argentina
  7. Armenia
  8. Aruba
  9. Azerbaijan
  10. Bahamas
  11. Bahrain
  12. Bangladesh
  13. Barbados
  14. Belarus
  15. Belize
  16. Benin
  17. Bhutan
  18. Bolivia
  19. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  20. Botswana
  21. Brazil
  22. Bulgaria
  23. Burkina Faso
  24. Burundi
  25. Costa Rica
  26. Cameroon
  27. Cape Verde
  28. Cambodia
  29. Chad
  30. China
  31. Central African Republic
  32. Comoros
  33. Congo Democratic Republic
  34. Colombia
  35. Cyprus
  36. Djibouti
  37. Cuba
  38. Dominican Republic
  39. East Timor
  40. Dominica
  41. Egypt
  42. El Salvador
  43. Ecuador
  44. Eritrea
  45. Ethiopia
  46. Equatorial Guinea
  47. Fiji
  48. Gabon
  49. Federated States of Micronesia
  50. Georgia
  51. Ghana
  52. Gambia
  1. Guatemala
  2. Guinea
  3. Grenada
  4. Guyana
  5. Haiti
  6. Guinea Bissau
  7. India
  8. Indonesia
  9. Honduras
  10. Iraq
  11. Israel
  12. Iran
  13. Ivory Coast
  14. Kazakhstan
  15. Jamaica
  16. Jordan
  17. Kuwait
  18. Kenya
  19. Kiribati
  20. Lebanon
  21. Kyrgyzstan
  22. Laos
  23. Libya
  24. Lesotho
  25. Liberia
  26. Malawi
  27. Macedonia
  28. Madagascar
  29. Mali
  30. Malaysia
  31. Maldives
  32. Mexico
  33. Mauritania
  34. Mauritius
  35. Montenegro
  36. Moldova
  37. Mongolia
  38. Myanmar
  39. Morocco
  40. Mozambique
  41. Nepal
  42. Namibia
  43. Nauru
  44. Nigeria
  45. Nicaragua
  46. Niger
  47. Palau
  48. Oman
  49. Pakistan
  50. Paraguay
  51. Panama
  52. Papua New Guinea
  1. Poland
  2. Peru
  3. Philippines
  4. Republic of Korea
  5. Qatar
  6. Republic of Congo
  7. Russia
  8. Republic of Kosovo
  9. Romania
  10. Saint Lucia
  11. Rwanda
  12. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  13. Sao Tome and Principe
  14. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  15. Samoa
  16. Serbia
  17. Saudi Arabia
  18. Senegal
  19. Solomon Islands
  20. Seychelles
  21. Sierra Leone
  22. South Sudan
  23. Somalia
  24. South Africa
  25. Suriname
  26. Sri Lanka
  27. Sudan
  28. Tajikistan
  29. Swaziland
  30. Syria
  31. Togo
  32. Tanzania
  33. Thailand
  34. Tunisia
  35. Tonga
  36. Trinidad and Tobago
  37. Tuvalu
  38. Turkey
  39. Turkmenistan
  40. United Arab Emirates
  41. Uganda
  42. Ukraine
  43. Vanuatu
  44. Uruguay
  45. Uzbekistan
  46. Vietnam
  47. Vatican City
  48. Venezuela
  49. Zimbabwe
  50. Yemen
  51. Zambia

On the other hand, citizens of visa-exempt countries and citizens of Bermuda and Canada can visit the United States temporarily for 90 days or less without a visa if traveling for tourism or business purposes. Instead, they can receive an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) from U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This authorization document classifies the traveler as a national of a country participating in the VWP agreement.

All travelers must also have an electronic passport with biometric information that has a machine-readable area on the profile page.

Regulations for Canada and Bermuda citizens

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda enjoy temporary freedom of travel to the United States without the need for a non-immigrant visa or other pre-entry authorizations, such as an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) .

Canadian citizens – freely enter and stay in the US, including for work (they can even use a NEXUS card or enhanced driver’s license for identification, instead of a passport) Citizens Bermuda – exempt from visa requirements, for stays of less than 6 months in the United States Benefiting from the “Compact of Free Association” agreement with the United States, citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau are waive visa requirements to enter, reside, study, or find employment in the United States. The United States has no restrictions.

 
 

US Visa Types

There are about 185 types of US visas, grouped into two main categories:

  1. Nonimmigrant visas. Issued for temporary visits to the United States such as for tourism, business, employment, family visit, and studying.
  2. Immigrant visas. Issued to people who will move permanently to the United States under immigrant investor schemes or family reunion.

Here are the main types of US visas:

  1. Visitor Visas. US tourist visas are issued to those who wish to visit the US for up to six months and are divided into:
    • B1 Visa for business trips.
    • Visa B2 is for tourists.
  2. Student visa . F and M visas are for educational and professional purposes. Depending on your school and field of study, you will need to have an F1 visa or an M1 visa. Below are the types of visas to study in the US:
    • Visa F1. visa for students.
    • Visa F2. dependents of F1 visa holders.
    • Visa M1. visa for professional purposes.
  3. Exchange tourist visa. Exchange visitor visas are for people participating in exchange programs and certain types of practical training and employment in the United States. These visas are divided into:
    • J1 Visa
    • Q Visa
  4. Temporary work visa. These visas are issued for temporary work in the United States. Below are the types of work visas:
    • Visa H1B. For those who have worked in highly specialized fields.
    • H1B1. Available to citizens of Chile and Singapore.
    • H-2A. Issued to temporary agricultural workers from select countries of interest to the United States.
    • H-2B. Issued to other types of temporary seasonal workers doing non-agricultural work.
    • H-3. Obtained by those who want to take advantage of training and educational opportunities.
    • Visa L1. Issued to internal company managers or executives.
    • Individuals who have extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, business, education, or sports and who wish to work temporarily in their field of expertise require an O visa. There are three types of O visas:
      • visa O1 – for people with extraordinary abilities.
      • Visa O2 – for the assistant of an O1 visa holder.
      • Visa O3 – for dependents of O1 visa holders.
    • Visa P. is issued to athletes and their training teams.
    • Temporary religious workers who wish to work in the United States in a religious capacity must have an R1 visa.
    • Visa TN/TD. for Canadian or Mexican citizens who will work within the NAFTA organization.
    • Visa E3. Open to Australian citizens. people who will work in specialized occupations.
    • I aimed. Open to foreign media representatives and journalists in the newspaper, film, radio, or print industries who are coming to the United States to work or participate in educational media activities.
  5. Trader and investor visas are processed. The E visa is known as the trader visa and treaty investor visa respectively and is for those with trade and maritime treaties in the United States. There are two types of visas:
    • E1 Visa – processed business visa.
    • Visa E2 – investor visa has been processed
  6. Diplomatic and official visa. The official and diplomatic visa categories are:
    • A1 visas are for diplomats or representatives of foreign governments coming to the United States to carry out official duties or represent their government.
    • The A2 NATO1-6 visa is designed only for foreign military personnel who are about to serve or be stationed in the United States.
    • If you have worked in an international organization in the United States, you will need to have a G-1 to G-5 visa. People working for NATO will get a NATO visa.
  7. Visas for victims of crime and human trafficking. The following visas are part of this visa category:
    • T visa is for victims of human trafficking who have suffered severe trauma, but can also help with investigations of crimes related to human trafficking.
    • U visas are for people who have been victims of certain criminal activities and can facilitate the investigation or prosecution of these crimes.
  8. Transit and crew visas. Here are these visa types:
    • Visa C is a US Transit Visa.
    • Visa D is for seafarers who will work on ships or international airlines.
  9. Visas sponsored directly by relatives and family. Below are the types of Immediate Parent and Family Sponsorship visas:
    • F2A and F2B visas are for the family of a lawful permanent resident, especially a spouse, minor child or son and their unmarried daughter 21 years of age or older.
    • Visa IR-2 – for unmarried children under 21 years old.
    • Visa IR5 – for parents of US citizens 21 years of age or older.
    • F1 – for unmarried sons, daughters and their minor children.
    • Visa F3 – for married sons and daughters and their minor children
    • Visa F4 – for siblings of US citizens, as well as their spouses and minor children.
    • IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 visas are for children from other countries who will be adopted by US citizen parents.
    • SQ visa is for citizens of Iraq or Afghanistan who will work for or on behalf of the US government and obtain a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).
  10. Fiance and Spouse Visa. Here are the types:
    • K3 visa is for the spouse of a US citizen who is in the process of applying for permanent immigrant status.
    • Visa IR1 and CR1 for spouses of US citizens.
    • Children of K-3 visa applicant are eligible for K-4 visas.
  11. Employer-sponsored visa. The following visas are issued to immigrant employees:
    • The EB1 visa is known as the first priority employment employment visa.
    • Second Preference Employment Visa for Advanced Degree Professionals and Individuals of Exceptional Ability is for those with employment credentials and a job offer in the United States.
    • Third preference employment visa for skilled workers, professionals and unskilled workers for those whose foreign worker application is approved by their employer .
    • Visa Eb-5 is for immigrant investors.
    • SI visa is for Iraqi and Afghan translators or interpreters working with the US military who meet certain requirements.
    • SQ visa is for citizens of Iraq or Afghanistan who will work for or on behalf of the US government and obtain a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).
  12. Other types of immigrant visas.
    • Diversity immigrant visas are for people who are considered “diverse immigrants,” meaning they come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
    • SB Visa or Returning Permanent Resident Visa is for permanent residents of the United States who, for reasons beyond their control, have remained abroad for more than one year or whose re-entry permit is no longer valid. The SB visa allows them to re-enter the United States.
 
 

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What is the Difference Between a Nonimmigrant Visa and an Immigrant Visa?

The main difference between nonimmigrant and immigrant visas is the length of time the visa holder is allowed to stay in the United States. Nonimmigrant visas are temporary, meaning they expire and the visa holder must return to their home country immediately.

Immigrant visas are also known as green cards and are permanent. Once a visa holder has an immigrant visa, they can move to the United States and stay as long as they want without a deadline to return to their home country.

How to Apply for an US Visa?

  1. Begin by clicking on the “Login” button, which can be found in the menu on the right side of the screen.
  2. If you haven’t registered yet, please register yourself first. After registering, proceed to log in to the panel.
  3. Once you are logged in, navigate to the menu on the left side of the panel.
  4. Select the “Visa Application Form” option from the menu.
  5. Fill out this form with the required information.
  6. Finally, submit the completed form.

What Does a US Visa Look Like?

When you receive your visa to the United States, you will see the image below. You must check that your information is correct and matches your passport data and all sections included in the visa form. If it does not contain all the information, you should contact the US embassy that issued it.

Does Having a US Visa Guarantee Entry Into the United States?

Possession of a valid U.S. visa does not guarantee admission to the United States. The Border Patrol at any point of entry into the United States is responsible for anyone entering the country.

Therefore, when you arrive in the United States, you will first have to go through immigration and customs, they will check your documents and background and decide whether to allow you to enter the United States or not. These officials have the power to detain and question you, and they also have the power to prevent you from entering the United States. They can also organize your return home.

There are many reasons that could be given for not allowing you into the United States, but most of them relate to any security and safety threat you may pose to residents United States and other visitors.

What Happens if I Do Not Get a US Visa?

There are a number of reasons why USCIS or the US Embassy may deny your visa application or application. You may be ineligible or have a criminal record, so you will not be able to enter the United States. If you are unable to obtain a visa, you have two options: appeal to USCIS or the US embassy, ​​or apply for a new visa.

In general, you should apply for a new visa rather than appeal because the US embassy will have a valid reason as to why it denied your visa and you can correct that reason when you submit it single again.

How Long Can I Stay in the United States With a Visa?

Because U.S. nonimmigrant visas are temporary, they have an expiration date. This date depends on the visa type. There are visas that are only valid for 3 months and some that are valid for 3 years. You need to check the type of visa you want to apply for and see how long it is valid for after you receive it. US immigrant visas have no expiration date, so with such a visa you can stay in the US permanently.

What to do When my US Visa Expires?

If your US visa expires, you have the option to renew your visa through a process similar to the original US visa application process. All US visas have their issuance and expiration dates stamped in the passport. Just renew your US visa if the visa has expired.

Can I Bring my Children to the US?

Almost all US visas allow parents to bring their children to the United States. However, children must be minors, therefore under 18 or 21 years of age depending on the type of visa the parents have. Adult children are usually not allowed to apply for a visa if their parents have one, unless they are unable to care for themselves and are dependent on their parents.

Can I Bring my Parents to the United States?

Most visas do not allow parents to be brought to the United States because they are not considered direct dependents. However, you should check for Immigrant Visas for Immediate Relatives or Family that may allow you to sponsor your parents or siblings for an immigrant visa.

Remember that due to the high cost of health care in the United States, your parents should have appropriate health insurance for the time they visit the United States.

Can I Enter the US Without a Valid Visa?

Unfortunately, once your visa expires and is no longer valid, you will no longer be allowed to enter the United States. If you attempt to enter the United States on an expired visa, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will return you to your home country.

You must renew the visa you already have or apply for a new visa to be allowed to re-enter the United States. Although the US government has not made health insurance mandatory for short-term visitors to the country, as US visa holders, we strongly recommend that all travelers Guests are advised to purchase travel insurance before their trip to the United States.

How Do I Become a US Citizen With a US Visa?

Obtaining US citizenship is a long process. If you have a non-immigrant visa to the US, this is very difficult because you are not allowed to apply for citizenship directly.

You must first obtain a US immigration visa. Some U.S. nonimmigrant visas are dual-purpose, meaning that once you meet the requirements, you can change your status and receive an immigrant visa.

Once you have an immigrant visa, you must keep it for five years to apply for US citizenship.

Travelling Abroad as a US Visa Holder

Travel to Europe

People living in the United States may need a Schengen visa to travel to Europe. If you need to apply for a Schengen visa, you must have Schengen visa travel insurance for the entire period of your stay in Europe.

Travel to the UK

US visa or green card holders who want to travel to the UK may need to apply for a UK visa.

What is USCIS?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the primary immigration agency responsible for US visas. They accept and process applications, and make the decision to submit requests from U.S. employers to hire foreign workers.

USCIS issues visa documents and maintains detailed records of all immigrants entering the United States. USCIS is best suited for nonimmigrant work visas as well as all immigrant visa applications they process and adjudicate.

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