Complete and submit Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant visa application) online. Print the confirmation page and bring it to your interview.
Locate the nearest United States consulate, embassy or diplomatic mission from this website. Select your country and check the location of the nearest embassy. A digital fingerprint scan will be collected during the interview, but may vary based on the location of application.
Submit the confirmation page together with the necessary documents. Applicants will be informed after the interview if there is a need for further administrative processing.
The standard fee for the application of a United States visa is $160. Depending on the applicant’s nationality, some may also have to cover additional fees, such as the visa issuance fee once the application is approved.
It is recommended that applicants start their tourism visa applications early as wait time for interview appointments may vary depending on the season, location, and visa category.
Applicants can apply for visitor visas at the nearest United States embassy in the country where they live. A list of U.S. consulates, embassies, and diplomatic missions can be found on this website. Interviews can also be scheduled at other U.S. embassies or consulates outside the applicant’s country of residence but it may be difficult to get a visa approved this way.
The processing times for nonimmigrant times vary, depending on the location of the consulate, embassy, or diplomatic mission where the application was lodged. Check the appointment wait time here.
Depending on nationality, applicants whose visa applications are approved may need to pay an issuance fee. Applicants may also need to make arrangements for the return of their passport with the visa.
Applicants who have received their United States visa should remember the following things:
The visa does not guarantee a foreign citizen entry to the country. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs, and Border Protection have the authority to permit or deny admission to the country. Those who allowed entry into the United States will be provided an admission stamp or a paper form called I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
Applicants whose visa applications are denied will be notified of the reason. They will also be advised if they may apply for a waiver of their ineligibility. Applicants may also reapply but only if they are able to present evidence of notable changes in circumstances since their last application.