Eligibility

& Visa Type Basics

  • Some visitors will need to obtain a visa before traveling to the USA and others will not. Whether or not you need a visa is dependent on what country or area issued your passport as well as the reason you are traveling to the USA (e.g. study, business, tourism, etc.).

    Click here to be directed to the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Wizard. Select the issuer of your passport and purpose of your visit from the dropdown menus to determine if you will need to obtain a visa before traveling to the USA and what type of visa you may need. 

    Immigrant visas are issued to people who intend to become lawful permanent residents of the USA. 

    Nonimmigrant visas are issued to travelers wishing to temporarily visit the USA for tourism, business or medical treatment purposes.

    The Visa Waiver Program allows most citizens or nationals from 42 participating markets to travel to the USA for tourism or business purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Travelers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must also obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) e-Passport prior to entering the USA. Click here to determine if you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program and to find information on travel documents required.

    If your visit will include the U.S. territories of Guam and/or the Northern Mariana Islands, different rules and regulations apply. Please click here for information on the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver program. 
  • The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system that aids in determining a traveler’s eligibility for traveling to the USA without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

    All eligible citizens or nationals from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) who are traveling for business or pleasure under the VWP must receive authorization through the ESTA prior to boarding a U.S.-bound plane or vessel and presenting themselves at any U.S. port of entry, including the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rice, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

    Click here for more information and to apply for ESTA.

    All children, regardless of age, must also be approved for an independent ESTA. 
  • A visa is a document that authorizes entry and a determined stay duration for foreign travelers to the USA. 

    A green card gives the bearer permanent resident status in the USA and allows them to live and work in the USA indefinitely. 
  • The type of visa you should apply for is determined by the issuer of your passport as well as your reason for traveling to the USA. Click here to visit the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Wizard. Select the country or authority that issued your passport and your reason for traveling to the USA from the dropdown menus to determine if you need a visa to travel to the USA and, if so, what kind.
  • B-1 and B-2 visas are visitor visas for travelers entering the USA temporarily for business or tourism. B-1 visas are for travelers temporarily entering the USA for business purposes. B-2 visas are for travelers temporarily entering the USA for tourism purposes. B-1/B-2 visas are for travelers temporarily entering the USA for a combination of both purposes.
  • Yes, you can travel to the USA to receive medical treatment with a Visitor Visa B or eligibility through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
  • Children, regardless of age, who are nationals or citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and who have their own, un-expired passport qualify to apply for ESTA and must gain ESTA approval before traveling to the USA. To qualify for ESTA, the child’s passport must be machine-readable and have a digital photograph. Children listed on the parent’s passport do not qualify for ESTA.

    In all other cases, children must gain a visa before traveling to the USA.

    Canadian citizens under the age of 16 arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory can present a birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Naturalization Certificate or Canadian Citizenship Card for entry.  

Application Process

& Requirements

  • Once you have determined whether or not your visit requires a visa and, if so, what type of visa you will need, the process of obtaining the pertinent visa may vary by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country/area.

    Steps to apply for a visa typically include completing the correct online application form, paying an application fee, scheduling an interview appointment at your consulate and gathering the needed documentation before your interview. 

    Click here to be directed to the U.S. Embassy’s location finder to determine the embassy or consular office for your visa needs. From there, you can visit the embassy’s or office’s website to learn the necessary steps and get more information on obtaining a visa to enter the USA.
  • Required documents:
    – Valid passport: In most cases, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the USA. 
    – Most non-immigrant travelers to the USA will need the printed confirmation page from the DS-160 form they fill out online. The confirmation page is generated after completing a non-immigrant visa application online. Click here to determine if a different form is needed for your visa application. 
    – Receipt of Application Fee payment: After paying the visa application fee, keep your receipt as proof of payment.
    – Digital photograph: You may upload your digital photograph when completing the DS-160 form or you may present a copy in person.
     
    You may also need to schedule an in-person interview at your embassy or consular office and/or provide a digital scan of your fingerprints. 

    Additional documents required may include proof of funds, proof of ties to your home country, proof of the purpose of your trip and proof of your intent to depart the USA after the authorized period of time.  

    Additional documents may also be required depending on the specific visa category. Click here to be directed to the U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Visa information page to find updates on visa requirements and locate the embassy or consular office you will need to visit to obtain a visa as well as what your particular embassy or consular office requires to be granted a visa to visit the USA.
  • Travelers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can enter the USA without a Visa. However, they must have an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) e-Passport with the necessary security features:
    A maichine-readable zone, which is the two lines of text of letters, numbers, and Chevrons at the bottom of the personal information page in your passport that also contains your photograph.

    – A e-Passport containing an embedded electronic chip.

    – Eligible travelers must have a passport with a printed digital photo. If your passport does not include a printed digital photo, you can still travel without a visa if 1) you are a citizen of a country that joined the VWP before 2008 and possess a valid passport with a machine-readable zone issued before October 26, 2005 or 2)your e-Passport includes a computer chip storing your biographic information an digital photo. If your passport was issued on or after October 26, 2005 and does not meet the above requirements, you will need to obtain a visa before travel to the USA.

    If you require a visa to enter the USA, you will need to present a qualifying passport valid for at least six months after your planned departure date from the USA. You will also need to present the visa itself, which is a sticker or stamp in your passport authorizing your entry and stay in the USA.
  • The application fee for a non-immigrant U.S. visa is currently $185.00 (USD); however, cost is dependent on the type of visa. Click here for a complete list of fees required for U.S. visa services. 
  • You must report for your scheduled interview at your U.S. Embassy or Consulate office and bring the printed confirmation page verifying the completion of your online visa application. 
  • The U.S. standard for biometric screenings for visa applicants is fingerprint scans collected at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Other biometric identifiers may include facial recognition and iris scans. U.S. visa applicants must also upload a digital photo or present one in person at their U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 
  • Prepare for your visa interview by gathering all needed documents and completing all necessary pre-interview steps and paperwork. The process for acquiring a visa may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Click here to the find your embassy or consulate and determine the exact documents and steps you need to complete before for your interview.  

Visa Validity

& Stay Duration

  • Standard allowed stay times are typically 90 days or six months. Exact stay durations are determined and noted by Customs and Boarder Protection when entering the USA.

    Visitors eligible for the Visa Waiver Program and with an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) can stay in the USA for up to 90 days without a visa if traveling for business or tourism purposes. 

    Visitors will receive an admissions stamp in their passport or be issued a Form I-94 during the admission process at their port of entry into the USA. This document and/or stamp will contain a specific date in the “Admit Until Date:” field. This contains the date by which you must leave the USA. If your “Admit Until Date:” status is ‘D/S’, you may remain in the USA until you complete your course of study, exchange program or qualifying employment. 

    NOTE: Do NOT use your visa expiration date to determine how long you are eligible to stay in the USA. 
  • This can depend on a number of factors. The first is the wait time before being interviewed by a U.S. consulate. Click here for a list of average global visa wait times. Non-immigrant visas for travel to the USA generally take between 3-6 weeks. However, visa types, country of application, volume of applicants, individual circumstances and additional processing requirements may make wait times longer. 
  • No, you cannot enter the USA with an expired visa. If you have a valid U.S. visa but your passport has expired, you can present both your expired passport containing your valid visa along with your new, un-expired passport to gain entry. 

    If your visa expires while you are in the USA, you are still authorized to stay in the USA until the end of your approved duration of stay printed on your paper Form 1-94 or stamped into your passport. 
  • No, you do not need a return ticket to enter the USA. However, having proof of your travel arrangements and intended stay duration may quicken the process of being admitted into the USA. Airlines may ask for your proof of onward travel to ensure you are not violating their policies. Also, entering the USA with only a one-way ticket could lead to delays and even denial of entry into the USA. 

Border Entry

& Port of Entry

  • Travelers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can enter the USA without a visa. However, they must have an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) e-Passport with the necessary security features:
    – A machine-readable zone, which is the two lines of text of letters, numbers and chevrons at the bottom of the personal information page in your passport that also contains your photograph.
    – A e-Passport containing an embedded electronic chip.
    – Eligible travelers must have a passport with a printed digital photo. If your passport does not include a printed digital photo, you can still travel without a visa if
    1) you are a citizen of a country that joined the VWP before 2008 and possess a valid passport with a machine-readable zone issued before October 26, 2005 or
    2) your e-Passport includes a computer chip storing your biographic information and digital photo. If your passport was issued on or after October, 26 2005 and does not meet the above requirements, you will need to obtain a visa before travel to the USA. 
    If you require a visa to enter the USA, you will need to present a qualifying passport valid for at least six months after your planned departure date from the USA. You will also need to present the visa itself, which is a sticker or stamp in your passport authorizing your entry and stay in the USA.
  • Upon arrival at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, you will need to present your documentation, passport and/or visa, authorizing your entry and stay in the USA. You may be asked questions regarding the purpose of your visit, the duration of your stay, lodging while in the USA and means of financial support for your visit. You may also have your luggage and electronic devices searched. 
  • If you qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), you may transit through the USA without a visa. If you do not qualify for the VWP or obtain an ESTA, you will need a visa to transit through the USA. Transit C visas are granted to non-immigrant persons traveling immediately and continuously through the USA. 
  • You do not need a visa to enter the USA from Canada or Mexico if you qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Otherwise, you will need a visa and valid passport to enter the USA from Canada or Mexico. 
  • Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Program. It offers expedited entry for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the USA. Citizens or lawful permanent residents of the USA as well as citizens from select countries are eligible to enroll in the program. Click here to see if you qualify. 
  • Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free, secure app that allows travelers to the USA to expedite the customs and entry process by submitting passport information and customs declarations electronically through the app. U.S. citizens and permanent residents, Canadian travelers and returning travelers who qualified for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and obtained an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval are eligible to use the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. 

    To use Mobile Passport Control (MPC), eligible travelers must first download the app and create a profile. Before arrival in the USA, users can complete their customs declarations electronically through the app and receive a QR code to present to the Customs and Border Protection officer. Upon arrival in the USA, MPC mobile app users will use the Mobile Passport Control lane at customs and present their qualifying passport and QR code to the Customs and Border Protection officer. 

    For more information, click here. 
  • TSA Pre-Check is a program of the Transportation and Security Administration that grants low-risk travelers expedited screening at U.S. airport security checkpoints when traveling domestically within the USA. 

    The program is mostly open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. However, eligibility for Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRY may allow some foreign citizens to apply.

    Click here for more information on these programs. 
  • Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) improve security while allowing for a more efficient, expedited screening and admittance process for travelers enrolled in the programs entering the USA. 

    Not all travelers qualify for all programs. Click here for a list of available Trusted Traveler Programs. Use the tool at the bottom of the page to determine if you qualify for any Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) and, if so, which one(s) and the associated cost.

Denials, Problems

& Legal Status

  • Your visa application may be denied for a number of reasons, and if your visa application is not accepted you may be provided a reason for your ineligibility/denial. Some reasons for being denied may be overcome (such as not completing the application in full) and others may be permanent (such as a criminal conviction). In most cases, if an applicant is denied their application fee is non-refundable, and they will have to pay the applicable fee again when/if they are eligible to reapply for a visa. Click here for more examples of ineligibility. 
  • Overstaying your visa can have serious consequences. Staying beyond the authorized period of time on your visa will result in you being “out-of-status,” which is a violation of U.S. immigration laws. This typically results in your visa being automatically voided or canceled. Staying beyond the allotted time frame can also cause you to be ineligible for visas for future travel to the USA. 
  • A tourist may not work in the USA without a valid visa and work permits. If your employment is for a fixed amount of time, you can apply for a temporary employment visa. In most cases, your prospective employer must file a petition on your behalf to be reviewed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS). There are 11 categories of temporary work visas. Learn more here. 
  • Enrollment in short recreational courses of study, such as cooking classes and workshops, that do not count as credit towards a degree are allowed with a tourist / visitor (B) visa. 

    Study at academic institutions such as high schools, seminaries, universities and colleges require a student visa (F). Study at non-academic institutions such as vocational training schools require a student visa (M). Click here to learn more and determine the type of visa you should apply for if you wish to study in the USA. 

Tracking, Policy

& Updates

  • You can track your U.S. visa application using the Visa Status Check powered by the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center. Simply enter your application type and case number, and follow the prompts to view the status of your visa application.