Approved Visa: Travel Ready

If you are planning to travel to the United States, it's important to understand the visa requirements. Generally, foreign citizens must obtain a visa to enter the US, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stays or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. US visa types include visitor visas (B-1/B-2), work visas, student visas (F-1), and more. The application process involves completing the online Form DS-160, scheduling an interview, and providing necessary documentation.

For those with an approved U visa, it is possible to travel outside the US, but certain requirements must be met. The U visa is a nonimmigrant visa granted to victims of serious crimes in the US, allowing them to remain in the country temporarily. To travel with an approved U visa, individuals must obtain travel authorization (Advance Parole) from USCIS and ensure their visa remains valid throughout their trip.

Additionally, when travelling to the US, it's essential to carry the necessary documentation, such as a valid passport, and comply with the country's entry requirements.

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. There are currently 41 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, including the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, and the Republic of Korea.

To be eligible to travel under the VWP, you must meet several requirements. Firstly, your travel purpose must be permitted on a visitor (B) visa. Examples of permitted activities include consulting with business associates, attending conventions or conferences, and visiting friends or relatives. Secondly, you must be a citizen or national of one of the VWP-designated countries. It is important to note that British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in the UK to be eligible. Thirdly, each traveller must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travelling. ESTA is a web-based system that determines eligibility to travel to the US under the VWP. Most ESTAs are valid for two years, but you must obtain a new one if you get a new passport, change your name, gender, or country of citizenship, or need to change your responses to any of the questions on the ESTA application. Finally, you must have the correct type of passport. It must be valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the US and must be an e-passport with specified security features, such as an electronic chip containing biometric information.

It is important to note that the VWP does not guarantee entry into the United States. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port of entry have the authority to permit or deny admission. Additionally, if you are admitted to the US under the VWP, you are not permitted to extend your stay beyond 90 days or change your status while in the country.

Non-immigrant visa

A non-immigrant visa is for foreign nationals who wish to enter the United States on a temporary basis. This could be for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study. The type of non-immigrant visa needed is defined by immigration law and related to the purpose of travel.

If you are applying for a non-immigrant visa, you will need to apply directly to the U.S. consulate or embassy abroad for a tourist (B-2) or business non-immigrant (B-1) visa. If you are seeking to enter the U.S. to study or work, you may require certain authorization and documentation before applying for a non-immigrant visa.

It is important to note that issuance of a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. A visa simply indicates that a U.S. consular officer has reviewed your application and determined that you are eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. The final decision on entry is made by a CBP Officer at the port of entry, who will conduct an inspection to determine if you are eligible for admission under U.S. immigration law.

If your visa is approved, you will be informed of how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you. Your visa will be placed on a page in your passport, and you should review the printed information to ensure there are no errors. If there are any issues, contact the embassy or consulate immediately.

Before travelling to the United States, you must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Only children who enter the U.S. under the Orphan or Hague adoption programs, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas are exempt from this fee.

You must arrive in and apply for admission to the United States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance, unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may result in a shorter validity period.

When travelling to the United States, the primary (or principal) applicant must enter before or at the same time as any derivative family members with visas.

Immigrant visa

An immigrant visa is for foreign citizens who wish to travel to the United States for permanent residence. The steps to obtaining an immigrant visa are as follows:

• Submit a petition
• NVC processing
• Affidavit of Support
• Financial documents
• Online application
• Civil documents
• Scan documents
• Submit documents
• Interview preparation
• Applicant interview

If your visa is approved, you will be informed of how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you. Your immigrant visa will be placed on a page in your passport. It is important to review the printed information and check for any errors.

You must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after you receive your immigrant visa and before you travel to the United States. This does not include children entering the US under the Orphan or Hague adoption programs, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas.

You must arrive in and apply for admission to the United States no later than the visa expiration date. An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance, unless your medical examination expires sooner. A visa does not guarantee entry into the US. The Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have the authority to permit or deny admission.

The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program awards up to 50,000 immigrant visas each year. Family-based immigrant visas are available, and you may be able to sponsor a family member for a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).

The Heartland Visa is a proposed visa with bipartisan support that would offer a new pathway for highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to obtain permanent residency. This visa would require visa holders to live in participating communities experiencing economic decline for a designated period.

Visa application process

The U.S. Visa application process depends on the type of visa you are applying for. The steps below outline the general process for applying for a U.S. Visa:

• Check if you need a visa. Citizens of certain countries may not require a visa to enter the U.S. for tourism, business, or temporary purposes.
• Choose the type of U.S. visa you will apply for. Different types of visas have different requirements and procedures.
• Complete the Online Non-immigrant Visa Application Form DS-160. This form can be filled out online through the Consular Electronic Application Center. It consists of two parts: personal information and security/background information.
• Pay the visa application fee. The fee varies depending on the type of visa applied for and is non-refundable.
• Schedule a visa interview. All non-immigrant visa applicants between 14 and 79 years old are required to attend an interview. Schedule an appointment with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy as early as possible, as wait times can range from days to weeks.
• Compile the required documents. In addition to the application form, you will need to submit supporting documents to prove that you meet the requirements for the visa you are applying for.
• Attend the visa interview. The interview will cover questions about your background and other relevant details based on the type of visa you have applied for.
• Wait for processing. After the interview, your application will be processed, and you will be notified of approval or denial. Do not make travel arrangements until your visa is approved.

It is important to note that the order of these steps and the specific procedures may vary depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are applying. Always refer to the instructions provided by the official U.S. government websites and your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Visa requirements

Every country has different visa requirements, and it is important to know whether your passport allows visa-free entry during your international travel. Visa requirements can be broadly categorized into:

• Visa-required: This means that prior to travel, you must apply for a visa. This may involve filling out forms, providing documents, and paying fees. It must be completed and approved before departure.
• Visa-free: This means that you can travel to the destination country without a visa. Only a valid passport is required for entry and exit purposes.

Some other types of visas are:

• EVisa: A digital alternative to the conventional visa obtained by an embassy. It is issued within 3 days and is required at the immigration checkpoint for verification.
• Visa-on-arrival: This means that you can obtain a visa upon arrival at designated border checkpoints, and you may have to pay a fee.
• Free visa-on-arrival: Similar to the above, but the visa is provided free of charge.
• Tourist card: Issued to a tourist for a stated period, instead of a passport or visa, and is obtained upon arrival.
• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): An entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals. It is electronically linked to the traveler's passport.

In the context of U.S. visas, there are two main categories: nonimmigrant visas and immigrant visas. Nonimmigrant visas are for temporary stays, such as the B-1 visa for business or the B-2 visa for tourism. Immigrant visas are for permanent residence.

If you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you generally do not need a visa to enter the U.S. for tourism, visits, or temporary business travel.

For those seeking to enter the U.S. temporarily during an I-130 process, it is possible to do so by demonstrating non-immigrant intent and strong ties to your home country. This involves providing evidence of your employment, property ownership, financial connections, family ties, return travel itinerary, event invitations, membership affiliations, and past travel history.

If you have been approved for a U visa, which is a nonimmigrant visa for victims of certain serious crimes in the U.S., you can travel outside the country and re-enter with your valid U visa and passport. However, you must obtain travel authorization ("Advance Parole") from USCIS for emergency or humanitarian circumstances. Additionally, the U visa has a limited validity and must be renewed before expiration to maintain immigrant status.

Frequently asked questions