A Non-Immigrant Visa allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. temporarily for tourism, business, work, study, or other short-term purposes.
A Non-Immigrant Visa allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. temporarily for tourism, business, work, study, or other short-term purposes.
You must:
Complete the DS-160 form online.
Pay the visa application fee.
Schedule and attend a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
No. A visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port of entry, but the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer decides whether to allow you entry.
The length of stay depends on the visa type and is determined by the CBP officer at the port of entry. It’s not always the same as the visa validity.
In many cases, yes. You must apply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your current authorized stay expires.
Visa validity is the time period during which you can enter the U.S. Duration of stay is how long you're allowed to remain during each visit.
Only certain visas (e.g., H-1B, L-1, O-1) allow employment. Tourist (B-2) or student (F-1) visas generally do not permit work, unless authorized.
Typically:
Passport (valid for 6+ months beyond your stay)
DS-160 confirmation
Visa appointment confirmation
Photo (per U.S. specifications)
Supporting documents (varies by visa type)
No, if you’re staying for 90 days or less and meet all VWP conditions. However, you must get an ESTA approval before traveling.
Yes, you can apply for a change of status through USCIS, but approval is not guaranteed, and you must meet the eligibility criteria.
Understand the reason for the denial. Most denials are under Section 214(b), meaning you didn’t overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. You can reapply with stronger documentation.
Processing times vary by location and visa type. Generally, from a few days to several weeks after the interview.
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