How To Apply For US Visa

How To Apply For US Visa

Step 1: Check the Validity of your Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States, unless exempt by country-specific agreements.  If it isn’t, you must get a new passport before applying for a visa.

Step 2: Complete the Visa Application

Complete the Online Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 (https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/) . Please note the following additional points:

• You must answer EVERY question on the application form. If the answer to a question is “none,” please write “none” (do not leave it blank.) Incomplete/incorrect forms will be returned and will require you to schedule a new interview appointment.

There is no cost to fill out the DS-160 form. You do not need the services of a company or third-party to fill out the form for you, and no company or third party is able to guarantee your visa issuance or expedite your visa appointment or processing.

Step 3: Collect any Supporting Documentation

The only documents required for a nonimmigrant visa interview are:

1. Passport
2. DS-160 Confirmation Page
3. 2×2 inch (5×5 cm) photo taken within the last 6 months, with a white background
4. For F, M, and J visa applicants only: I-20 or DS-2019 and proof of SEVIS  payment, if required
5. For H, L, or R visa applicants only: I-797 Approval Notice

Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

• The purpose of your trip;
• Your intent to depart the United States after your trip; and/or
• Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.

Note: Rather than receiving guarantees from friends and family in the United States, applicants for visas must be qualified based on their place of residence and their connections abroad. Applying for a nonimmigrant tourist visa does not require an affidavit of support or a letter of invitation. Please keep in mind that bringing an invitation letter or an affidavit of support to your interview does not influence our decision to grant or refuse a nonimmigrant tourist visa.

Step 4: Schedule an Interview Appointment, if required

To schedule an appointment for a non-immigrant visa (NIV) interview, please consult the Embassy’s online NIV Appointment System . Please have your DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form  confirmation number handy. It is located on your DS-160 confirmation page, in bold print.

Some visas can be issued or renewed without an interview. To determine whether an interview is required in your case, please refer to the Interview Waiver/Visa Application or Renewal by Mail information.

Step 5: Visa Fee Payment and Interview

Attend the embassy at the scheduled time and date. Bring the papers that are mentioned in Step 3. A consular officer will assess your eligibility for a visa during your interview and, if granted, will advise you on the best category of visa based on your intended itinerary. To be granted the type of visa you are requesting, you must demonstrate that you fulfill the prerequisites set forth by US law. During your application interview with the consular officer, digital fingerprint scans that are devoid of ink will be taken.

You will pay the appropriate visa fee at the Embassy at the beginning of your appointment. Please note we do not accept credit cards for visa fee payments; you must bring cash or a credit card. Fees can be paid in U.S. dollars or Papua New Guinea kina.

The cost of the visa fee depends on the visa class for which you are applying. For details, refer to travel.state.gov .

The current visa processing fees are:

• USD185 – B1/B2,F,J and non-petition -based visas
• USD205 – H,L,O,P,Q and R category visas
• USD315 – E3 category visa

Some visa types may include additional fees, such as L-1 and H-1B. Further, citizens of certain countries may be required to pay a reciprocity fee if the Consular officer approves your visa. More information on reciprocity fees can be found here .

PNG National applying for a B1/B2 tourist visa – for 12-month multiple entry fee is USD138.

Step 6: Return to Collect your Passport and Visa

Once your visa has been issued, you can typically pick up your passport and visa at the Embassy the next business day after 9:00 am. When your visa is prepared for pickup, the Embassy will notify you via phone or email.

On your behalf, you can designate a third party to pick up your passport and visa. Kindly enclose a signed letter designating the designated individual who has permission to recover your files.

Note:  You should never pay for travel arrangements (e.g., airfare, hotels) without having a visa in your possession.  The U.S. Embassy accepts no responsibility if you do so. You risk significant financial losses if you ignore this advice.