What You Need to Know About Getting a Visa in the United States
Whether you’re coming down to see spectacular U.S landmarks like the Grand Canyon or looking to make a new start in a country of opportunity, you’ll need a visa if you want to enter the U.S from the outside. Trouble is, getting a visa can turn into a legal quagmire in no time if you don’t know what to expect.
So what tips and tricks can you use to make getting a visa as painless as possible?
Well, we’re glad you asked. With this guide on what you need to know about getting a visa in the United States, you’ll have all the information you need!
But enough talk! Let’s jump right into things.
Know Your Visas
The first thing you’ll want to do when looking into getting a visa is figure out what kind of visa you need. If you’re planning to come to the U.S as a student, for example, you’ll need to apply for an F-1 visa (or a B-2 if you’re a prospective student).
Those crossing the border for work will need to fill a visa out based on what position they’re going for. For example, nurses would fill out an H-1A application, while agricultural workers need an H-2A.
That said, if you’re only going for a brief visit to the U.S, it’s worth checking if your country is on the list of accepted countries exempt from non-immigrant visas. Around 40 countries from Ireland to Japan are on the list, so chances are good you make the cut.
How to Apply for a Visa
Once that’s sorted out, you’ll want to track down the form you’ll need to fill out for the application. Those aiming for a non-immigrant visa should fill out the DS-160 form. Immigrants, on the other hand, will need to find the visa form that fits their specific situation (I-130 for relatives of people in the U.S, I-140 for those working in the U.S, etc.).
The application will ask for a wealth of personal information, from standard stuff like name and place of residence to inquiries into potential criminal history. You’ll also need to pay an application fee. That said, the U.S will also waive the fees for applications coming from certain countries (usually ones the U.S has good relations with).
Further Steps Towards Getting a Visa
Now that the application and fees are done, you’ll have to schedule an interview with the U.S embassy in your country. You’ll need to collect the receipt for your application fees, a valid passport, a photo of yourself, and info regarding how to find all your social media accounts.
Those going to be with their family will need to show birth certificates and other documents proving they are related to said U.S family. Workers will need to have work papers and proof of employment ready to go, and property owners should bring proof of the deed to the property they own within the U.S. If you’re going for full immigration, you’ll likely want an immigration lawyer by your side to help handle the documentation and ensure you get a fair interview.
Following the interview, you’ll need to wait anywhere from a week to several months for your visa to get approved. Once that’s cleared, you’re ready to go!
The Journey of a Lifetime
So now that you know all the steps towards getting a visa, it’s time to take your first steps towards embarking on the journey of a lifetime!
But what if you need more information and assistance regarding foreign travel and immigration law? In that case, make sure to stop by our website again and give our other articles a read!
