Visa America

When do I need to apply for a Visa instead of an ESTA America when I want to visit and stay in the USA?

You will need to apply for a Visa if you are not eligible to travel under the ESTA Visa Waiver Programme.

The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a Visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. When you apply at a US embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which Visa category is appropriate. Please check for more information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit.html

Is it possible to apply at a University in the US

If you would like to study as a full-time student in the United States, you will need a student Visa. There are two non-immigrant Visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. These Visas are commonly known as the F and M Visas.
- You must be enrolled in an ‘‘academic’’ educational programme, a language-training programme, or a vocational programme;
- Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Programme, Immigration & Customs Enforcement;
- You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution;
- You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency;
- You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study;
- You must maintain a residence abroad, which you have no intention of giving up. You may enter in the F-1 or M-1 visa category provided you meet the following criteria: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment’

When do I need to apply for a Visa instead of an ESTA America when I want to visit and stay in the USA?

You will need to apply for a Visa if you are not eligible to travel under the ESTA Visa Waiver Programme.

Is it possible to apply at a University in the US

When do I apply for an ESTA America or for a Visa when I need to go on a business trip?

If you wish to travel for less than 90 days with the business purpose of attending a meeting, visit customers or suppliers you can apply for an ESTA if you live in the UK, which is part of the Visa Waiver Programme. If you need to stay for more than 90 days for business purposes in the US, or if you wish to work in the USA, you will need to apply for a US Visa.

Which categories of Visa for the US are listed?

For the most recent information about the different categories please go to the website of Bureau Consular Affairs https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories.html

Do I need to apply for a Visa or ESTA when I am a temporary worker?

You will need to apply for a Visa if you want to work in the US temporarily. Form I-129, titled Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker, is a document that is submitted by a U.S. employer who wishes to sponsor a foreign national for temporary employment in the United States. The form is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). https://www.uscis.gov/i-129

What do I need to enrol into an exchange programme?

There are two non-immigrant Visa categories for persons who want to participate in Exchange Visitor programmes in the United States. The J non-immigrant Visa is for educational and cultural exchange programmes designated by the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. The Q non-immigrant Visa is for international cultural exchange programmes designated by USCIS. For more information on Exchange Visitors, see https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/q-cultural-exchange

What do I, as a fiancé(e), need to apply for a Visa?

‘If you wish to marry a U.S. citizen in the United States and take up indefinite residence after marriage, you will require a fiancé(e) visa. You are eligible to apply for a fiancé(e) visa if: You and your fiancé(e) are both legally free to marry; and You will marry within 90 days of entering the United States on the fiancé(e) visa. If you meet the criteria for a fiancé(e) visa, your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) visa is required to file a petition, form I-129F on your behalf with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Green Card Visa lottery

What do I do when I want to immigrate to the US, what is required? This Green Card lottery opportunity has only been provided for certain countries. Please check this website for more information:

Permanent Visa for work

If you have the right combination of skills, education, and/or work experience and are otherwise eligible; you may be able to live permanently in the United States. There are five employment-based immigrant visa preferences (categories), please check https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/permanent-workers for more information.

Which Visa do I need?

For more information about the conditions and procedures of application for a Visa, please check www.travel.state.gov. If you are not sure which Visa you would need to apply for, you could use the Visa wizard too, which has been developed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US. You can fill in the DS-160 form online at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. After application an appointment needs to be made for an interview.

If you have obtained a Green Card, a B1 Visa or a B2 Visa for the USA, you will not need an ESTA. For any other Visa you will need to have an ESTA if you wish to travel or go on a business trip for a maximum of 90 days. Regulations and conditions applied by the US State of Government changes constantly.

What is required for a Visa application for the US?

You will need the following documents and information for a Visa application:

- A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of departure;

- The completed application form;

- Two recent photos for a passport;

- Proof of financial means during your stay in the US;

- Proof of your health insurance policy;

- You must be able to prove the reason for your visit, for instance proof of a booking of your hotel or a return flight ticket;

- If you have applied for an employment Visa, you will need to have a letter of your future employer;

- If you request a Visa for studying in the USA you will need a letter of the university.

What do I need to know when I apply for a Visa?

It is of major importance that you take the necessary documents with you to your interview at the consulate. This will avoid that they will not be able to help you and you would need to make a new appointment for your interview. Be prepared of a functional interview, and be assured of dressing appropriately. The B1 and B2 Visa do not immediately give you the right to travel to the USA. When you arrive with your B1 or B2 Visa in the US, the Immigration Officer will decide if you can enter the country. The officer will ask you numerous questions about your visit. Please be aware that when booking your flight ticket, 180 days of stay is not the same as six month.