Author: Sara B

Traveling is undeniably the best way to explore new cultures, taste unique cuisines, and cultivate memories that will last you a lifetime. However, to fully experience the authenticity and unique charm that a destination has to offer just seeing the sights isn’t enough. You need to immerse yourself in the culture and the environment.

Planning an immersive vacation can be a bit challenging if you don’t know where to begin, especially if you aren’t familiar with the destination. To help you plan a more enriching travel experience, we’ve come up with five tips to help you connect with the local culture, people, and natural surroundings of the destination, as well as help to create a more meaningful slow travel experience. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, this guide is sure to get you on the right track for planning an inspiring and transformative immersive vacation.

If you are a new traveler, you may wonder what immersive tourism is. Immersion travel can be defined as a slow travel experience that is based around creating local interactions and authentic cultural experiences. A traveler who is immersing themselves in the place they are traveling to is likely to be seeking a deeper experience than those found in typical tourism. They travel with the goal of returning home having experienced growth and learning on their trip.

Five Tips for Planning Immersive Vacations:

Familiarize yourself with the culture before you go.

The biggest goal of immersive travel experiences is to fully experience a culture and location that is different from where you live and what you know. It’s an opportunity to have an eye-opening experience and learn to understand and appreciate how other areas of the world operate and why. It is also a good opportunity to change any cultural misconceptions you may have had previously about the country or culture. Doing some research ahead of time sets you up for more success when you arrive. What is the language of the area? What is the major religion? Is there an expected dress code? What can you learn about the destination’s history? These are all good questions to answer before arriving at immersive travel experiences.

Prepare for culture shock.

Having the awareness that culture shock does happen, especially when staying somewhere for over a week, is a good place to begin. There are 5 common phases of experiencing culture shock:

1. The Honeymoon Stage: When you first arrive and are completely awe-struck by the beauty of your surroundings. Everything is new and exciting.
2. Rejection and Hostility Stage: After a little while the things that once seemed exciting may start to frustrate you. You may find yourself comparing things to how they are at home.
3. Gradual Adjustment: You will begin to feel more settled into your surroundings. You now know the best ways to travel around, or maybe you’ve discovered your favorite markers, restaurants, etc.
4. Adaptation Stage: Here is when you begin to feel at home in this foreign place. You begin to have a community, a routine, and a decent grasp of the language.
5. Re-Entry Shock: Lastly, this stage happens when you’ve returned home, and you find yourself having to readjust back to your old life. Some people struggle with return because now home has become something so different from the life you created elsewhere.

When talking about immersive travel experiences, it is very common for all types of travelers, whether they are new or travel experts, to experience culture shock. Remembering why you are traveling this way and all the benefits of immersive tourism will help you move through those feelings more easily. Take it one day at a time and you will be adjusted before you know it.

Plan to eat and shop local.

Food is a very important key to understanding culture. Many parts of culture surround the food; some being rituals, holidays, celebrations, etc. A surefire way to integrate yourself and show the local people you care about their culture is by taking part in those rituals. Giving yourself every opportunity to be immersed in the culture of the locals will help you to get the absolute most out of your slow travel experience.

Learn as much of the language as you can.

Learning some of the language is a really great way to immerse yourself in the place you are traveling to. Locals take note when a traveler is trying to be courteous and respectful of their culture. Trying to learn a new language, even if it’s just a few words and phrases, is a great way to challenge yourself and grow.

Book local guides.

Booking tours with a local guide is 100% the best way to get the inside scoop on an area. Local tour guides know all the best spots to eat, drink, shop, and all the most important things to see and do, and if you’re lucky, they’ll share some hidden gems with you too! This is also a great way to practice the language in a less intimidating environment and to learn about the area you’re visiting. A tour guide will most likely be able to share a lot of history and background with you.

Easy Travel Insurance for Immersive Tourism:

Getting all of the details in order for your immersive trip may be difficult, but that doesn’t mean purchasing travel insurance needs to be. There are a multitude of benefits to adding a comprehensive travel insurance plan to your budget. From medical coverage to protection against trip cancellation insurance, a comprehensive plan may be the right option for your trip.

Reasons to Buy Travel Insurance for Your Immersive Vacation:

• May provide medical coverage for unexpected expenses that may not be covered by your primary medical insurance.
• Helps to protect your investment if things don’t go as planned and your trip gets canceled or interrupted.
• Travel delays are inevitable, and bags get lost, but baggage coverage may reimburse you for necessities if your luggage is delayed or lost.
• Sometimes even the most seasoned travelers need help. Investing in travel insurance helps to give you assurance that help is only a phone call away if necessary.

All in all, we know the importance of making sure that your trip goes as planned. So much goes into the planning process that we don’t want to see it ruined by any type of misfortune. At InsureMyTrip we feel that the value of comparing travel insurance for vacations is just as important as comparing flights or accommodations. Easily compare plans to find the right policy, which means fewer things for you to worry about while on your trip.

Taking an immersive vacation is supposed to be an opportunity to have an enriching experience and cultivate special memories to last a lifetime. By investing in travel insurance, you are investing in your trip and the memories you’ll be making. Trust the professionals at InsureMyTrip to help you find the best coverage for your immersive vacation. Check out our customers’ reviews and ratings and see why travelers are choosing coverage from InsureMyTrip for their past, present, and future trips! Contact us today to hear more about how we can help you.

Confusion regarding the specific travel documents required to enter the United States have prompted us, as a travel insurance provider, to offer information regarding U.S. visas. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs and other public resources provided this information. We compiled this data in a centralized page in order to help world travelers quickly find the information they need regarding traveling into the United States.

What is a Visa?

The word “visa” originates from the Latin term charta visa. Charta visa means, “paper which has been seen.”

A visa is formal permission, authorized by a country, allowing a foreign citizen to enter, stay in, and leave that country.

A visa is temporary and normally provides limitations on the foreign travelers stay, such as time limits for their stay, dates they can enter the country, work rights, or the number of times they are permitted to enter the country with that visa.

A country’s immigration officials make the ultimate decision on whether or not a foreigner is entering the country, even if a valid visa is held. A visa can be revoked at anytime. For most countries, there are documents besides a visa that must also be presented.

Frequently, a visa is held as a certified sticker within a foreign applicant’s travel document, such as a passport. A visa may also be a stamp, a separate document, or a printable electronic record.

Some countries require people to apply for visas in advance of travel. Ways to apply in advance are via online, via mail, or in person at an embassy or consular office. Other countries allow foreign travelers to apply for a visa as they arrive in the country.

Some countries force its citizens to get “exit visas” to leave their own country.

What is a U.S. Visa?

A U.S. visa is a travel document where the United States grants foreign citizens permission to enter the U.S.

A U.S. visa is placed inside the foreign citizen’s passport, issued by the country they are citizens of.

Some foreign citizens may be eligible to travel into the United States without a visa. (See the What is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)? section for more details on visa-free travel into the U.S.)

How to Read a U.S. Visa

Understanding how to read your U.S. Visa is crucial when it comes to travel and planning your entry to another country. The below image and descriptions help travelers understand where to find pertinent information on their U.S. Visas.

Photo credit: Anthony Chang, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Wikimedia Commons

Nonimmigrant Visas: Temporary Visits to the U.S.

Below is a list of nonimmigrant, temporary travel reasons one may come to the U.S., the corresponding visa categories, and any extra requirements needed prior to applying for a U.S. visa.

Depending on the reason for travel, before applying for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, different requirements may need to be met.

Visas for Tourists & Business Visitors: B-1 Visa & B-2 Visa

A visitor’s visa is a nonimmigrant visa. A visitor is someone entering the United States temporarily for business, tourism, pleasure, or to receive medical treatment. A business visa is considered a B-1 visa. A B-2 visa is used for tourism, pleasure, or to receive medical treatment.

Photo credit: Wikimedia and Pmt7ar

Work Visas: Visas for Workers Temporarily in the U.S.

People who would like to temporarily work in the United States must obtain a specific work visa. The visa type will vary by the type of work that will be done.

Many temporary work visa categories demand the prospective employer file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved by USCIS, an applicant may then submit a temporary work visa application.

Types of Temporary Work Visas

Below is a list of the different Temporary Worker Visa Categories:

• H-1B: Person in Specialty Occupation – To work in a specialty occupation. Requires a higher education degree or its equivalent. Includes fashion models of distinguished merit and ability and government-to-government research and development, or co-production projects administered by the Department of Defense.
• H-1B1: Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional – Chile, Singapore – To work in a specialty occupation. Requires a post-secondary degree involving at least four years of study in the field of specialization. (Note: This is not a petition-based visa. For application procedures, please refer to the website for the U.S. Embassy in Chile or the U.S. Embassy in Singapore.)
• H-2A: Temporary Agricultural Worker – For temporary or seasonal agricultural work. Limited to citizens or nationals of designated countries, with limited exceptions, if determined to be in the United States interest.
• H-2B: Temporary Non-agricultural Worker – For temporary or seasonal non- agricultural work. Limited to citizens or nationals of designated countries, with limited exceptions, if determined to be in the United States interest.
• H-3: Trainee or Special Education visitor – To receive training, other than graduate medical or academic, that is not available in the trainee’s home country or practical training programs in the education of children with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.
• L: Intracompany Transferee – To work at a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of the current employer in a managerial or executive capacity, or in a position requiring specialized knowledge. Individual must have been employed by the same employer abroad continuously for 1 year within the three preceding years.
• O: Individual with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement – For persons with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or extraordinary recognized achievements in the motion picture and television fields, demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim, to work in their field of expertise. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual (O-2).
• P-1: Individual or Team Athlete, or Member of an Entertainment Group – To perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete or as a member of an entertainment group. Requires an internationally recognized level of sustained performance. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.
• P-2: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group) – For performance under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.
• P-3: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group) – To perform, teach or coach under a program that is culturally unique or a traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.
• Q-1: Participant in an International Cultural Exchange Program – For practical training and employment and for sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of your home country through participation in an international cultural exchange program.

Student Visas: Visas for Students or Exchanges

The student visa and the exchange program visa are both nonimmigrant visas. Before submitting a visa application, students and exchange visitors must be accepted into their program. After being accepted into a program, students and exchange visitors should receive applicable documentation to submit with their visa application. Students attending public school, grades 9-12, will receive an F-1 visa. Academic or vocational student visas are F or M class visas. Exchange visitors will receive J visas.

Immigrant Visas: Live Permanently in the U.S.

Immigrant visas are for foreigners who wish to live permanently in the United States. Most of the time an immigration visa applicant must have a relative U.S. citizen, a prospective employer, or a U.S. lawful permanent resident sponsor them. The sponsors must file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the petition is approved, they can then start the application process for their immigration visa. The next step to take would be the preliminary processing steps with the Department of State, National Visa Center.

Photo credit: Flickr

The Immigration Visa Process

After U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approve a visa petition, they will assign you a priority date and send you an approval letter. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) then forwards your visa petition to the National Visa Center (NVC).

The National Visa Center (NVC) will be in charge of visa preprocessing when your assigned time comes. Your petition will be handled when the qualifying date meets your priority date. At that time, the National Visa Center will send you an invoice in order to collect your visa fees. The National Visa Center will ask for your visa application and all supporting documents. The National Visa Center will keep your petition until your interview with a consular officer has been scheduled at a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate abroad.

How the Immigration Visa Process Works

The process to obtain a U.S. Immigration Visa can differ for each applicant. For example, a foreigner’s location of citizenship and the type of immigrant visa that is being applied for will dictate the required steps and application materials. Below is an outline of the potential immigration visa process.

Step 1: Submit a Petition

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident petitioners residing in the United States must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This can be done either electronically or through the traditional paper process through the mail.

Filing Petitions from Inside the U.S.

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident sponsors residing in the United States must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility, following instructions on the USCIS website. U.S. employers must file Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, as instructed on the USCIS website.

Filing Petitions from Outside the U.S.

While most immigrant visa petitions are filed in the United States, filing certain types of petitions outside the United States is possible.

Your immigrant petition must be approved by USCIS before your case can proceed to the National Visa Center.

Step 2: Begin National Visa Center (NVC) Processing

After USCIS approves your petition, they will transfer your case to the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) for pre-processing. The first step in this processing is the creation of your case in our system. Once this is complete, they will send you a Welcome Letter by e-mail or physical mail. With the information in this letter, you can log in to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) to check your status, receive messages, and manage your case.

Once you submit your fees, forms, and supporting documents to NVC, they will review your case to ensure you provided all the documentation required to schedule the immigrant visa interview. Interviews are based on the availability of appointments offered at the Embassy/Consulate. Keep in mind that some visa categories are governed by U.S. law. For this reason, availability of immigrant visa numbers for some categories may be limited.

Step 3: Pay Fees

The first thing you need to do after receiving your NVC Welcome Letter is pay your processing fees. There are two processing fees. The first is the Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee. The other is the Affidavit of Support Fee. Both of these can be paid by logging into your case in CEAC and clicking the “pay now” button under Affidavit of Support Fee or IV Fee on the summary page. You will need a bank routing number and a checking or savings account number from a U.S. based bank. Please note you cannot pay these two fees simultaneously; the online system will ask you to pay them one at a time.

After submitting the online payments, please allow up to one week for NVC to process your fees before continuing to the next step. Applicants will not be able to access Form DS-260 until NVC has processed their payments.

Step 4: Complete Affidavit of Support

An Affidavit of Support, also called the Form I-864, is a document an individual signs to accept financial responsibility for the applicant who is coming to live in the U.S. The person who signs the Affidavit of Support is also referred to as the “sponsor.” The petitioner must complete Form I-864; however if the petitioner’s income is insufficient, a joint-sponsor may agree to also complete an I-864 on the applicant’s behalf.

An Affidavit of Support is legally enforceable. The sponsor’s financial responsibility usually lasts until the applicant either becomes a U.S. citizen, or can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work (usually 10 years) under the Social Security Act. By signing Form I-864, the petitioner (including any joint sponsor(s)) is agreeing to use their resources, if necessary, to financially support the beneficiary and any dependent(s). If the beneficiary and dependent(s) receive any designated federal, state, or local means-tested public benefits, under U.S. law the agency providing the benefit “shall request reimbursement” from the signatory of the I-864.

In most cases, the petitioner must complete an Affidavit of Support form and gather evidence of their finances and other supporting documents. Please keep in mind that there are several types of Affidavit of Support forms (I-864, I-864EZ, I-864W, and I-864A).

Step 5: Collect Financial Evidence & Other Supporting Documents

After the financial sponsor(s) completes the Affidavit of Support form, they should gather evidence of their finances and other supporting documents.

The U.S. government’s website features a Financial Evidence Assistant to help petitioner’s and applicants figure out which documents are required. Typically, financial evidence includes IRS tax transcript, evidence of income, Social Security Administration (SSA) earnings statements, proof of assets, proof of relationship, proof of domicile, and proof of U.S. status. For specifics, please review the complete list.

Step 6: Complete Online Visa Application (DS-260)

After you pay your fees and the status in CEAC is updated to ‘PAID’, you and each qualified family member immigrating with you must complete the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (Form DS-260). We recommend reviewing the sample DS-260 before beginning.

To complete your Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, log into your case in CEAC and click the “start now” link under IV Application on your summary page.

Submitting Form DS-260 does not formally execute a visa application. The visa application is not formally made until the visa applicant(s) is interviewed by a U.S. consular officer. After submitting Form DS-260 online, you must print the confirmation page and bring it to your interview. You can print this from CEAC any time after you complete your DS-260 application.

Step 7: Collect Civil Documents

After you complete your DS-260(s), you and each family member immigrating with you MUST collect the civil documents required to support your visa application. Your civil documents MUST be issued by the official issuing authority in your country. Please refer to the Document Finder to learn about the civil document requirements for each country.

Please note that all documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country from which you are applying, must be accompanied by certified translations. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator stating that the translation is accurate and the translator is competent to translate.

Step 8: Scan Collected Documents

Once you have collected all the necessary documents, you must scan and save them. In order to scan your documents, you will need access to a computer and scanner or a smartphone with an internet connection. If you do not have access to these, common places with this type of equipment are libraries, community centers, internet cafés, and copy shops. Note: If you choose to use a public computer, be sure to delete your scanned documents once you have finished uploading them. Unless specifically directed to do so by the National Visa Center (NVC) please do not mail any documents to NVC. If you do, you will delay the processing of your case and risk losing any documents you send.

Please review the file size and file type requirements to ensure that the documents will be accepted upon submission.

Step 9: Upload & Submit Scanned Documents

To submit documents, log into CEAC and go to the “start now” buttons located under Affidavit of Support Documents and Civil Documents. When you have uploaded all the required documents for each section, press “Submit Documents”. The “Submit Documents” buttons will not work unless you have uploaded all of the required documents for each person. Once you press “Submit Documents”, your case will be placed in line for review at the National Visa Center (NVC).

Important not: Do not send any documents to NVC by mail. However, you must bring every civil document you uploaded and submitted with your application to your visa interview. You should only send mail to National Visa Center if explicitly instructed to through an email, telephone call, or letter from National Visa Center. In most cases, this request for documentation will be for a case that is not processing electronically. If necessary for your case, NVC will provide you with a mailing address. Never send original documents to the National Visa Center.

In some cases, corrections are required. You will receive an email notifying you of any require corrections to submitted documents. Once corrections are made or if no corrections are required, the applicant can move on to the next step.

Step 10: Prepare for the Interview

After the National Visa Center (NVC) schedules your visa interview appointment, they will send you, your petitioner, and your agent/attorney (if applicable) an email noting the appointment date and time. After you receive an interview Appointment Letter from NVC, you must take the following steps BEFORE the interview date:

Schedule and Complete a Medical Examination

You (and each family member or “derivative applicant” applying for a visa with you) are required to schedule a medical appointment with an authorized physician in the country where you will be interviewed. This exam must be with an embassy-approved doctor, also referred to as the Panel Physician. Exams conducted by other physicians will not be accepted. You must complete your medical examination, along with any required vaccinations, before your scheduled visa interview date. After your exam, the Panel Physician will either send the exam results directly to the embassy or give you a sealed envelope. If the doctor gives you an envelope, do not open it. Instead, bring it to your visa interview and give it to the consular officer.

Register for Courier Service/Other Pre-Interview Instructions

Gather Documents Required for the Interview

Every visa applicant, no matter their age, must bring certain documents to the interview, including photographs, and the original or certified copy version of all civil documents submitted to NVC. You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or financial evidence you submitted to NVC.

What happens if you forget to bring something on this list? The consular officer will not be able to complete the processing of your visa. You will have to gather the missing items and provide them to the embassy or consulate, and may have to come for additional interviews. Failure to bring all items on the above list can delay visa issuance.

Step 11: Applicant Interview

On the scheduled date and time of your interview appointment, go to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with your printed visa application (DS-260) confirmation page. A consular officer will interview you (and accompanying family member beneficiaries) and determine whether or not you are eligible to receive an immigrant visa. As part of the interview process, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken.

For specifics on who must attend the interview, what documents to bring, and what happens if you need to reschedule/miss your appointment, please see the full details on the U.S. state department’s website.

Step 12: After the Interview

Once you’ve completed the interview, your visa will either be approved or denied. Please review the specific steps in the approval and denial processes for full details. One imporant note is that no applicant should sell real estate, cars, personal property, etc., resign from jobs, or make non-refundable travel arrangements until they have received their immigrant visa.

Am I Eligible to Travel Without a Visa?

There are specific countries whose citizens do not need to obtain a visa prior to traveling to the United States. These citizens must meet specific requirements that are put forth by United States law.

If you qualify under the following circumstances, categories, or programs you may not need a visa to travel to the United States:

• Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
• NAFTA Professional Workers from Canada and Mexico
• Canada and Bermuda Citizens

What is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?

The Visa Waiver Program, abbreviated as VWP, allows citizens from specific countries to travel to the United States without visas. In return, United States citizens can travel to those specific countries without first obtaining a visa.

In the U.S., the Visa Waiver Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department.

Foreign citizens requesting to enter the United States must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval.

As of April 1, 2016, travelers traveling to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program must have an ePassport or electronic passport.

Under the Visa Waiver program, if a traveler plans on staying for more than 90 days they are required to obtain a visa.

Under the Visa Waiver Program, acceptable reasons for travel without visa are for business, for tourism, or while in transit.

Which Countries Participate in the Visa Waiver Program?

The 40 countries currently participating in the Visa Waiver program with the United States are:

The countries chosen, by the United States government, to participate in the Visa Waiver Program can be generally referred to as being developed with high-income economies.

NAFTA Professional Workers from Canada and Mexico

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement between Mexico, the U.S., and Canada for their economic and trade relationship. Some eligible NAFTA professionals need to obtain nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visas. If an eligible NAFTA professional satisfies specific criteria they may not need a visa to enter the U.S. As a Canadian NAFTA professional gets to a port of entry to the United States, they may apply for TN, nonimmigrant status. NAFTA professionals that are citizens of Mexico must obtain TN visas prior to requesting entry into the United States.

Canada and Bermuda Citizens

Citizens of Canada:

A temporary, nonimmigrant visa is usually not needed to enter the United States if a citizen of Canada is traveling for reasons other than the reasons listed below.

If a Canadian is traveling for these reasons, they must obtain the listed nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States:

• Foreign government officials (A); officials and employees of international organizations (G); and NATO officials, representatives, and employees assigned to the United States (NATO)
• Treaty traders (E-1)
• Treaty investors (E-2)
• Spouse or Child of an Australian Treaty Alien coming to the United States Solely to Perform Services in a Specialty Occupation (E-3D)
• Fiancé(e)s (K-1)
• Children of fiancé(e)s (K-2)
• Spouse of a U.S. citizen traveling to the United States to complete the immigration process (K-3)
• Children of a foreign citizen spouse (K-4) described above
• Informant supplying critical information relating to a criminal organization (S-5)
• Informant supplying critical information relating to terrorism (S-6)
• Qualified family member (S-7) of an S-5 or S-6 visa holder described above

Permanent residents (landed immigrants) of Canada must have a nonimmigrant visa unless the permanent resident is a national of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), meets the VWP requirements, and is seeking to enter the United States for 90 days or less under that program.

Citizens of Bermuda:

A temporary, nonimmigrant visa is usually not needed to enter the United States if a citizen of Bermuda is traveling for less than six months, for reasons other than the reasons listed below.

If a Bermudian is traveling for these reasons they must obtain the listed, nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States:

• Foreign government officials (A); and officials and employees of international organizations (G)
• Fiancé(e)s (K-1)
• Children of fiancé(e)s (K-2)
• Spouse of a U.S. citizen traveling to the United States to complete the immigration process (K-3)
• Children of a foreign citizen spouse (K-4) described above
• Informant supplying critical information relating to a criminal organization (S-5)
• Informant supplying critical information relating to terrorism (S-6)
• Qualified family member (S-7) of an S-5 or S-6 visa holder described above
• Other travel purposes where the intended stay is longer than 180 days

Visa Application Forms

The U.S. requires different forms to be filed depending on the type of visa an applicant is seeking.

Refer to Department of State’s “Forms” page for the most recent form you need.

Nonimmigrant Visa Application Forms

• DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (for all nonimmigrant categories, including K applications)
• DS-156E: Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader / Investor Application
• DS-158: Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant
• DS-1648 Online: Application for A, G, or NATO Visa (Applying in the United States only)
• DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. This form cannot be downloaded here. Contact your exchange visitor program sponsor, who is responsible for entering the DS 2019 information into SEVIS, and providing the SEVIS generated DS-2019.
• DS-3035: J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application Instructions

Immigrant Visa Application Forms

• DS-117: Application to Determine Returning Resident Status
• DS-157: Petition for Special Immigrant Classification for Afghan SIV Applicant
• DS-230: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (Cuban Family Reunification Parole applications only)
• DS-260: Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application (Immigrant Visa and Diversity Visa Program applications only)
  • Preview a sample DS-260 (PDF – 13.9 MB)
• DS-261: Choice of Address and Agent
• DS-234: Special Immigrant Visa Biodata Form
• DS-1981: Affidavit Concerning Exemption from Immigration Requirements for a Foreign Adopted Child
• DS-1884: Petition to Classify Special Immigrant Under INA 203(b)(4) as an Employee or Former Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad

Visa Fees

Nonimmigrant Visa Fees

I. Visas Application and Processing Fees for Nonimmigrant Visas

1. Nonimmigrant, non-petition based visas:

$160 USD for nonimmigrant, non-petition based visas (does not include E visas)

The $160 USD fee covers these temporary visa categories:

• B: Visitor Visas for Business, Tourism, and Medical treatments
• C-1: Visas for Travelers Transiting through the United States
• D: Visas for Crewmembers of Airlines and Ships
• F: Visas for Academic Students
• I: Visas for Media and Journalists
• J: Visas for Exchange Visitors. Note: There is no fee for J visa applicants that are participating in educational and cultural exchanges that are officially sponsored by the U.S. Government.
• M: Visa for Vocational Students
• TN/TD: Visas for Mexico and Canada NAFTA Professionals
• S: Visas for Witnesses or Informants^*
• T: Visas for the Victims of Human Trafficking^*
• U: Visas for the Victims of Criminal Activities^*

^*Though petition-based nonimmigrant visas, the processing fee for these visas is $160.00

2. Nonimmigrant, petition based visas:

$190 USD for nonimmigrant, petition based visas

The $190 USD fee covers these temporary visa categories:

• H: Visas for Temporary Workers/Employment or Trainees
• L: Visas for Intracompany Transferees
• O: Visas for Persons with Extraordinary Abilities
• P: Visas for Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers
• Q: Visas for International Cultural Exchanges
• R: Visas for Religious Workers

3. E Visas for Investors and Treaty Traders and Australian Professional Specialty category visas:

$205 USD for nonimmigrant, Treaty Trader/Investor, Australian Professional Specialty category visas

4. K Visas for the Fiancé(e) or Spouse of a U.S. citizen category visas:

$265 USD for nonimmigrant, K Visas for the Fiancé(e) or Spouse of a U.S. citizen category visas

Other Visa Fees:

L visa categories (Intra-company Transferees) must pay a $500 USD fraud detection and prevention fee.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-113) increases fees for certain H-1B and L-1 petitioners. Consular sections collect this $4,500 fee for blanket L-1 visa applications (principal applicant only) filed by petitioners who employ 50 or more individuals in the United States if more than 50 percent of those individuals are in H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrant status.

Border Crossing Card Fees

There is a $160 USD fee for border crossing cards per individual age 15 and over (valid 10 years).

There is a $15 USD fee for border crossing cards per individual under 15 years old for Mexican citizens if parent or guardian has or is applying for a border crossing card (valid 10 years or until the applicant reaches age 15, whichever is sooner).

When the nonimmigrant visa application processing fee is not required:

• A visa applicants
• G visa applicants
• C-2 visa applicants
• C-3 visa applicants
• NATO visa applicants
• Diplomatic visa applicants
• J visa applicants who are trying to participate in educational and cultural exchanges that are officially sponsored by the U.S. Government.
• Applicants whose visas are read by a machine and need to be replaced because the original visa was not affixed properly or it needs to be replaced for a reason when it was not the fault of the visa applicant.
• Applicants who are exempt due to international agreement. This includes staff or members (and their immediate family members) of a UN General Assembly recognized “observer mission” to the UN headquarters.
• Visa applicants who are traveling to give charitable assistance (as approved by Visa Services).
• U.S. government employees who are on official business travel.
• Parents, siblings, spouses, and children of U.S. government employees killed in the line of duty who are traveling to attend the employee’s funeral and/or burial; or parents, siblings, spouses, and children of U.S. government employees critically injured in the line of duty for visitation during emergency treatment and convalescence.

II. Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance Fee

Visit the U.S. Department of State’s “Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country” page to see if you have to pay a reciprocity fee for your country or area.

When the nonimmigrant visa issuance fee is not required:

• Official representatives of a foreign government or an international or regional organization of which the United States is a member; members and staff of an observer mission to United Nations Headquarters recognized by the UN General Assembly; and applicants for diplomatic visas as defined under item 22(a); and their immediate families.
• Applicants transiting to and from the United Nations Headquarters.
• Applicants participating in a U.S. government sponsored program which may include applicant’s dependent spouse and children.
• Applicants traveling to provide charitable services as determined by Visa Services.

Immigrant Visa Fees

I. Fees for Filing an Immigrant Visa Petition

Immigrant petition for relative via petition form I-130: $535

Inter-country adoption: Immediate relative petition for an orphan via petition form I-600 or I-800: $775

II. Fees for Immigrant Visa Application Processing

Immediate family or relative preference application processed after an I-130 petition, I-600 petition, or I-800 petition has been approved: $325

Employment-based applications processed after the I-140 petition or I-526 petition has been approved: $345

Other immigrant visa applications. This includes approved I-360 self-petitioners, special immigrant visa applicants, returning resident (SB-1) applicants, and all others, except DV program applicants): $205

There is no fee for certain Iraqi and Afghan special immigrant visa applicants.

III. Other Fees

There is a, per person applying, Diversity Visa Lottery fee: $330

When a domestic review is involved, Affidavit of Support Review: $120

IV. Fees for Special Visa Services

Application fee for Determining Returning Resident Status with a DS-117 Form: $180

Legal Permanent Residents of the United States Transportation letter: $575

J Waiver of two-year residency requirement application via DS-3035 form: $120

Waiver of visa ineligibility application for I-601 form: $930

There is no fee for significant public benefit or refugee parole case processing.

Visa Photograph & Digital Image Requirements

Applicants can use a professional visa photo service or take a photo themselves, however, photos can be rejected if they do not meet all requirements.

The U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate where a traveler’s visa application is submitted has the final say on whether or not a photo or digital image is acceptable.

Visa Photograph Requirements Frequently Asked Questions:

How many photos must I submit with my visa application?

• The answer depends on what kind of visa you are applying for.
• Nonimmigrant visa with form DS-160 or DS-1648 online: When filling out the online application you may submit a digital image.
• Immigrant visa with form DS-260: While at your immigration interview you should supply your photos. You must submit 2 identical photographs.
• Diversity Visa Program: You have to submit a digital image.
• Immigrant visa with the Diversity Visa Program: While at your immigration interview you should supply your photos. You must submit 2 identical photographs.

What sort of paper can my photograph be printed on?

• You must use photograph quality paper. You may use glossy photo paper or matte photo paper.

Can my photo be in black and white?

• No. All visa photographs must be in color.

How old can my photo be?

• Your visa photograph must be recent. It must have been taken in the last 6 months and reflect your current appearance.

What size must my visa photograph be?

• The visa photo must be a 2-inch by 2-inch square. (This converts to a 51 mm by 51 mm photo.)

How should I be posed for the photo?

• The photo should be taken head on (no profile photos). You should have a neutral expression. Take your photo in front of a plain backdrop. The background must be white or off-white. Both of your eyes must be open. There must be no shadows on your face.

How large should my head be in the final photo?

• The photo or digital image must be sized so that your head measures somewhere between 1 inch and 1-3/8ths inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or between 50% and 69% of the image’s total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.

Can I wear my eyeglasses?

• In rare cases. You may only wear glasses if you have a signed medical notice from your doctor. If you have an acceptable excuse and proof to wear glasses for your photo your eyes must still be visible. The frames cannot block your eye or eyes. The lenses cannot give a glare that covers your eye or eyes. There cannot be shadows that cover your eye or eyes. There cannot be refraction that covers your eye or eyes.

Can I wear a hat?

• No. Not unless it is a religious hat or head covering that you wear daily. If this is the case, you must be able to see your full face. No shadows can occur on your face from the hat or head covering.

Can I wear my uniform in my photo?

• No. Not unless it is a religious uniform that you wear daily.

Can a parent or guardian be in the photo with a child?

• No. No other person or part of another person (i.e. hands, arms, etc.) can appear in the photo with a child.

What if my child closes their eyes?

• You must retake the photo. Their eyes must be open and they must be looking forward at the camera.

Can I use a digital camera to take the photo?

• Yes, definitely. You must adhere to digital photo requirements.

Can I remove red eyes from my photo?

• You may utilize the red-eye reduction capability on your digital camera. You may not alter red eyes through photo editing.

Can I use a photocopy of my driver’s license photo?

• No.

If I grow a beard do I need a new visa photo?

• No. As long as you can still be identified from the current passport photo or visa photo you do not need to submit a new visa photograph.

If I dye my hair do I need a new visa photo?

• No. As long as you can still be identified from the current passport photo or visa photo you do not need to submit a new visa photograph.

When should I submit a new visa photo because of a change in my appearance?

• Submit a new visa photo for your application if:
  • You underwent substantial facial surgery
  • You have experienced significant facial trauma
  • You added a lot of, or a large facial piercing
  • You added a lot of, or a large facial tattoo
  • You gained a significant amount of weight
  • You lost a significant amount of weight
  • You obtained a new gender identity

How Do I Make Adjustments, Extend, or Renew U.S. Visas?

How to Renew a Visa:

Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your visa, you will use the same application process (please review How to Apply). Some applicants seeking to renew their visas in certain visa classes may be eligible for the Interview Waiver (IW) which allows qualified individuals to apply for visa renewals without being interviewed in person by a U.S. consular officer. Review the instructions on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply to determine if the IW is available and if you qualify.

Typically, only travelers holding diplomatic visas (and dependents of travelers holding diplomatic visas) can renew their U.S. visas in the United States. Other travelers must renew their U.S. visas at abroad U.S. Consulates or Embassies.

How to Extend a Visa:

In order to extend the validity of their visa, therefore prolonging their stay in the United States, a traveler must file the correct form, Form I-539, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIM). This must be done prior to their current authorized stay expiring. The United States recommends that a traveler apply for an extension 45 days in advance of the currently authorized stay expiring.

If you remain in the United States longer than authorized, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States. Check the date in the lower right-hand corner of your Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to determine the date your authorized stay expires.

How to Make Adjustments to Visas:

In order to adjust your visa, to change your stay in the United States, you must apply. Prior to applying, it is recommended that you contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to verify you are eligible for an adjustment. If eligible, apply online with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Find a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate

To apply for a visa to enter the United States, you must apply in person at a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. Visit the U.S. Embassy Government website for a directory of the U.S. Embassies and U.S. Consulates found in countries around the globe.

Visa Wait Times

It is important to plan your travel far enough in advance to obtain your necessary travel visa. Visa applications can take more time than expected to process. Visa application processing and interview wait times will vary by U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate location.

Reference the Department of State’s “Visa Appointment & Processing Wait Times” page for current visa interview and processing wait times in your city.

Additional time for administrative processing may be required. Administrative processing time is not estimated on the travel.state.gov’s page and instead based on an individual basis. Administrative processing time only affects a small number of visa applicants. The additional administrative processing time usually does not exceed 60 days.

Certain procedures may vary by the consulate or embassy location. It is important to obtain location specific information for instructions on how to schedule your interview.

Visa Ineligibilities & Waivers

Visa Ineligibilities

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is what created the kinds of visas there are and what qualifies someone to apply for one.

The conditions that make applicants ineligible for visas are called visa ineligibilities (or a visa ineligibility). The visa ineligibilities are also outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The U.S. Department of State provides the different sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that deal with visa ineligibilities.

Visa Waivers

If a visa applicant is not eligible for a U.S. visa due to U.S. law, they are eligible to apply for a visa waiver if there is a visa waiver for the type of visa they want to apply for.

The U.S. Department of State provides the different sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that deal with visa waivers.

Visa Denials

After an application for a United States visa is received, it will be reviewed. The applicant’s request for visa will either be approved or denied. A denial may occur due to the applicant applying for a type of visa that the applicant was not eligible for. A denial may also occur because of an applicant’s history of crime or with drugs. When notified of a denial, most times, the applicant will also be given a reason as to why the denial occurred.

Exit & Reentry to the U.S.

Do U.S. Citizens Need a U.S. Visa to Exit or Reenter the Country?

Citizens of the United States do not need to acquire a U.S. visa. However, U.S. citizens do potentially need visas for entry into the foreign countries they are traveling to. These visas will be issued by the embassy of the country they are destined for.

Do U.S. Permanent Residents Need a U.S. Visa to Exit or Reenter the Country?

A U.S. permanent resident is a U.S. permanent residence cardholder. This card is commonly referred to as a “green card.” To reenter the United States after temporarily traveling abroad, the U.S. permanent resident will not need to provide a visa however; they will need to provide their valid, unexpired U.S. permanent residence card (green card), and passport.

Photo credit: the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Travel Visa Questions

Where do I apply for a U.S. visa?

• Visa applicants must go to a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate abroad to apply for a visa.

How do I apply for a U.S. visa?

• The steps to apply for a visa can greatly differ. The steps will depend on what type of U.S. visa is being applied for. Contact your U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate for up to date requirements and procedures.

Does having a U.S. visa mean I will be able to get into the United States?

• Not necessarily. Once a foreign citizen obtains a U.S. visa, they are able to travel to a port of entry (via land, plane, or ship) of the United States.
• At a port of entry into the U.S., a traveler will be met by an inspector from Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP)/Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Though the traveler requests entry, it may not be granted.
• A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.
• A visa does show that an overseas U.S. consulate or embassy decided that the traveler was qualified to enter the U.S. for the purpose the visa was applied for. It is however, up to the DHS/CBP agent to determine if a traveler is indeed allowed to enter.
• A visa can be revoked at any point.

What is an Electronic Visa?

• An electronic Visa is also known as an eVisa or e-Visa. Instead of receiving a sticker or stamp within a passport, an electronic visa is linked to a traveler’s passport number and stored within the computer system. An electronic Visa is applied for online.
• Not all countries offer electronic visas. See the government website for the desired country of destination to see methods offered to obtain a travel visa to that country.
• The United States does not issue electronic visas.

Does the U.S. issue electronic visas?

• The Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, is an online system used in the United States. This is a screening method and, under U.S. immigration law, does not qualify as a visa. The United States does not issue electronic visas. The ESTA screens potential travelers for security risks. It is only used to screen travelers trying to enter the U.S. without a visa, via the Visa Waiver Program. Even if a traveler passes the ESTA screening, the traveler might still be denied entry into the United States (by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers).

What if I’ve Lost my U.S. Visa?

What to do about Lost or Stolen Visas for Entering the United States: It is recommended that travelers make photocopies of their U.S. visa and the biographic page of their passport, as well as their admission stamp or I-94 arrival/departure paper form. This way the traveler has proof of their documents if they are lost or stolen during their stay in the United States.

If a traveler’s U.S. visa or form I-94 arrival/departure documents were lost or stolen they should immediately:

• 1. File a police report
  • a) Note the police officers name
  • b) Note the number of the police report
• 2. Request a replacement Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
• 3. Report the lost or stolen Visa and/or I-94 Arrival/Departure Record to your embassy
• 4. Report the lost or stolen visa to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad
• 5. Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad to apply for a replacement visa

What are the consequences of staying in the U.S. for longer than approved?

• If a traveler stays in the United States beyond the time frame authorized by their visa, they could be deported. The traveler may also be banned from reentry into the United States.

How long can I stay in the United States?

• There is a date on Form I-94, the Arrival/Departure document. The date in the lower right-hand corner of the form will reveal the date that a traveler’s authorized stay in the United States expires.

I changed my name; do I need a new visa?

• Yes. If your name has been legally changed due to divorce, marriage, or via a court order, you will need to obtain a new passport and visa.

What if my visa expires while I am in the U.S.?

• You are allowed to stay in the United States for the time period that was approved when you entered the United States. It is okay for you to stay in the U.S. with an expired visa, as long as you are still within your approved period of stay.