General Questions

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1.   How do I know if I qualify for the Visa Waiver Program?

To determine if you qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html. You may also visit the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta.

Some travelers who are citizens of a Visa Waiver Program partner country may still be unable to travel to the United States under this program. If you have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, or Yemen after March 2011, you are not eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Similarly, if you are a dual national of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria, you are also not eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. These travelers should apply for a nonimmigrant visa well in advance of the desired travel date to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Travelers with imminent travel may request an expedited visa appointment. To request an expedited visa appointment, first schedule a regular visa appointment on the closest available date. Then sign-in to your account, click ‘Continue’, select ‘Request Expedite’ and follow the instructions. The traveler should include in the request the date and purpose of the travel as well as a copy of any U.S. Customs and Border Protection message he/she received regarding their ESTA status and, if applicable, why the ESTA application was denied.

More information about restrictions to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, including the requirement for an electronic passport, is available at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html.

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2.   Can you help me with the DS-160? I do not know what to put for a certain field. I cannot upload my picture properly. I cannot get a confirmation email. I cannot print out my confirmation page.

This is a visa information and appointment scheduling service only. Any advice to assist you or give you information or assistance on the form DS-160 can be found on the U.S. Department of State's Website. You may find FAQs for the DS-160 application form at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/ds-160-faqs.html.

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3.   What is my email address used for on this Website?

Your email address will be your account login ID. All email notifications sent from this Website will be sent to the email address you provide. If you do not receive any emails from usvisa-info.com, please check your SPAM and junk folders or email us as soon as possible.

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4.   What happens to my online Form DS-160 if I select a U.S. Consular Section where I will be applying for my visa, but end up making an interview appointment instead to another U.S. Consular Section?

For information on this specific situation, please visit DS-160 Frequently Asked Questions at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/ds-160-faqs.html.

 

Visa Related Questions

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1.   What is a Visa?

U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent residents do not need to obtain a visa to enter the United States. In general, a citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States must first obtain a U.S. visa. Certain international travelers may be eligible to enter the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for the U.S. Visa Waiver program. For further information, please visit the Department of State website at http://www.travel.state.gov.

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2.   What types of Visas are available?

There are various types of nonimmigrant visas for temporary travel to the United States. The type of visa you need depends on your purpose of travel. For information on all types of Visa please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/all-visa-categories.html.

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3.   I wish to apply for C1/D and B1/B2 dual visa. What should I do?

You should complete one online DS-160 application form and pay one visa fee in order to schedule an appointment for your C1/D visa.

At the time of your interview, you should inform Consular Officer that you wish to apply for a C1/D and B1/B2 dual visa.

Note: Applying for dual visa is for C1/D, no other nonimmigrant visa combination is acceptable.

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4.   Who decides if I will get a visa?

Under U.S. law the Department of State has responsibility for issuing visas, and most visas are issued at one of the Department of State Embassies and Consulates abroad. A U.S. Consular Officer will review your application at the time of the interview and decide whether you are qualified for a visa.

A visa doesn't permit entry to the U.S. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a U.S. Consular Officer at US Embassy or Consulate, and that the officer determined you are eligible to travel to the port-of-entry for a specific purpose.

Neither CSRA nor any of our staff play any part or influence in the outcome of your visa application.

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5.   How long does it take to process my visa application?

The time it will take for the Consular Section to process your visa application can vary depending on: 

o   the completeness of your visa application

o   the amount of verification your visa application requires can affect the amount of time it take to process your application

o   Consular Section may find that you need to provide further information before a decision can be made on your application

If you wish to view the estimate on how long you will have to wait to get an interview appointment, please visit the U.S Department of State online tool at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html. This online tool will also tell you how long it will take for your visa to be processed at the Consular Section, after a decision is made by a Consular Officer to issue the Visa. Please note that the processing time does not include any time required for administrative processing.

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6.   What is "administrative processing"?

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement at the time of the consular officer interview. After attending the interview, you may track the status of your visa application at https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC or, if applicable, follow any local instructions given to you at the interview. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. For more information on administrative processing or for case specific inquiries, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/administrative-processing-information.html or the consular section website.

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7.   How long am I authorized to stay in the United States?

Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. Legally, the visa specifies the period during which the bearer may apply at the port-of-entry to enter the United States.

At the port-of-entry, a U.S. immigration officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decides whether to allow you to enter and how long you can stay for any particular visit, as part of the Admission process. Only the U.S. immigration officer has authority to permit you to enter the United States. For further information, please see "Admission to the United States and your Duration of Stay" https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-expiration-date.html.

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8.   Can I apply for two different visa types at the same time?

This service allows the applicant to pay for and schedule one visa appointment at a time.

The Consular Section may allow the applicant to interview and pay for a second visa type during the scheduled appointment for the first visa type.

Procedure for applying for two separate visa types at the same time:

1.    Use this website to pay the MRV fee and schedule an appointment for one of the visa types for which you want to apply.

2.    Attend your scheduled appointment(s).

•  Be sure to bring all application documentation for the scheduled visa type.

•  In addition, be sure to bring additional documents and payment for the second (unscheduled) visa type.

•  You must indicate both visa types on your DS-160 at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv.

3.    At the scheduled appointment, follow the Consular Officer’s instructions to complete the application process for the second visa type, including payment of the MRV fee.

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9.   After I have my visa, will I be able to enter the U.S.?

A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States but allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immigration officers have the authority to permit or deny entry to the United States. This website (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors) on U.S. Custom and Border Protection has more information about entry into the United States.

As of November 29, 2016, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 visas in Peoples’ Republic of China passports are required to update their biographical and other information from their visa application through the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before travelling to the United States. This update must be done every two years, or upon getting a new passport or B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa, whichever occurs first.

EVUS enrollment is available at https://www.evus.gov. There is currently no fee for EVUS enrollment. Until a fee is implemented, travelers can enroll in EVUS without charge. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will keep visa holders informed of new information at https://www.cbp.gov/evus.

自2016年11月29日起，所有持中华人民共和国护照和10年期B1、B2或B1/B2签证的中国公民赴美前，必须通过签证更新电子系统（EVUS）更新与签证申请有关的个人信息和其它信息。此更新须每两年进行一次，或者在获得新护照或新的B1、B2或B1/B2签证时进行更新，以先到期者为准。

EVUS登记网站为 https://www.evus.gov。目前EVUS登记不收费。在实施收费规定之前，旅客可免费进行登记。美国国土安全部海关和边境保护局（CBP）将通过网站 https://www.cbp.gov/evus 向签证持有人公布最新信息。

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10. I changed my name. Is my U.S. Visa with my old name still valid?

If your name has legally changed through marriage, divorce, or a court ordered name change, you will need to obtain a new passport. Once you have a new passport, the Department of State recommends that you apply for a new U.S. visa to make it easier for you to travel to and from the United States.

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11. Should I book my travel before the interview?

Applicants are strongly advised not to book travel until after they receive their passport and visa.

 

 

Visa Renewals and Extensions Questions

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1.   How can I extend my visa?

If you want to extend your temporary stay in the United States, you must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your authorized stay expires. If you remain in the United States longer than authorized, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States. Check the period of stay that was stamped on your passport by Customs and Border protection officials to determine the date your authorized stay expires. To learn more how to extend your visa, please visit USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/visit-united-states/extend-your-stay.

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2.   I have a nonimmigrant visa that will expire soon. Do I need to go through the whole visa application process again?

Yes, you will need to go through the entire visa application process each time you apply for a visa, even if your visa is still valid. However, those who are renewing a previous U.S. visa or who meet certain other age-related criteria may qualify for a waiver of the visa interview. Eligibility is determined based on the answers provided to questions during the appointment scheduling process. However, consular officers reserve the right to require an interview for any visa applicant.

 

Passport Questions

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1.   Why do I need a blank page in my passport?

U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas require an entire passport page to be printed. Please assure that your passport contains at least 1-2 blank visa/stamp pages for the printing of the visa and the associated entry stamps.

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2.   I have dual citizenship. Which passport should I use to travel to the United States?

If you have dual citizenship and are not a U.S. Citizen, you must select whichever nationality you prefer to enter the United States. You must enter and depart the United States using one passport.

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3.   My passport with the valid visa was stolen. What should I do?

If your passport with your paper Form I-94 is lost or stolen, you must get them replaced immediately. There are a number of steps you need to take. To learn more, see Lost and Stolen Passports, Visas, and Form I-94s at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/lost-stolen-visas.html.

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4.   How long does my passport have to be valid in order to apply for a U.S. Visa?

The passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States unless country specific agreements provide exceptions. Consult https://www.cbp.gov/document/bulletins/six-month-club-update for exemptions. You may also visit https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html for more information.

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5.   I had to replace my passport before the scheduled appointment date. What do I need to do?

The applicant can attend the scheduled appointment and present the new passport. If the applicant is not able to obtain a new passport before the scheduled appointment date, the applicant must cancel or reschedule the appointment. An applicant will not be able to apply for a visa without a valid passport. Please provide a copy of the police report if the passport was stolen.

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6.   My passport has expired but my U.S. Visa is still active. What do I need to do?

Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. If your visa is still valid you can travel to the United States with your two passports, as long as the visa is valid, not damaged, and is the appropriate type of visa required for your primary purpose of travel. Both passports (the valid and the expired one with the visa) should be from the same country and type. Please note: A valid visa is not guarantee of entry into the United States. Final determination of entry is at the sole discretion of the CBP Officer reviewing the documentation.

 

MRV Fee Questions

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1.   My application was denied. Can I get a refund of the Visa Fee?

No. The fee that you paid is an application fee. Everyone who applies for a U.S. visa anywhere in the world must pay this fee, which covers the cost of processing your application.

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2.   Can I sell or give my MRV fee to someone else?

MRV fee payments are non-refundable and non-transferrable. You cannot sell or trade and MRV fee with someone else.

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3.   Where do I find the terms and conditions of the Visa application (MRV) fee payment?

All information concerning the Visa application (MRV) fee can be found here.

 

Visa Appointment Questions

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1.   I need an earlier appointment and there are no available appointments, what should I do?

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You can request an expedited appointment. To request an expedited appointment, first schedule a regular appointment on the closest available date. Then, sign-in to your account, click “Continue”, select "Request Expedite" and follow the instructions. Expedited Appointments will only be granted at the Consular Section’s discretion. Circumstances that may be considered for expedited appointments include:

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a.    An immediate relative's death, grave illness or life threatening accident taking place in the United States.

b.   Urgent medical treatment for the applicant or their minor child.

c.    An applicant for a student or exchange visitor (F/M/J) visa whose I-20 or DS-2019 has a start date that is earlier than the first available visa appointment.

d.   An unexpected need to travel to the United States for urgent business purposes that is occurring within 10 days after the first available visa appointment.

e.    An unexpected visit that is of significant cultural, political, journalistic, sporting or economic importance that is occurring within 10 days after the first available visa appointment.

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2.   How can I reschedule or cancel an appointment?

You can cancel or reschedule an appointment only if the appointment date is in the future. To cancel or reschedule an appointment, you must sign-in to the system, and click "Continue", select the option to "Cancel Appointment" or "Reschedule Appointment" and then follow the provided instructions. If you would like for an agent to do it for you, simply email us at support@usvisaappointments.com

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3.   What should I do if I missed my interview?

If you missed your interview appointment, you must sign-in to your account, click “Continue”, select the "Missed My Appointment" link and follow the instructions. Please note that applicants must wait 24 hours before they will be able to request approval to reschedule a missed appointment. If you would like for an agent to do it for you, simply email us at support@usvisaappointments.com

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4.   How do I add or change members for a scheduled group appointment?

If you want to add or modify the members of the group after you have scheduled an appointment, you need to cancel your group appointment, add or change the members of the group and then reschedule the group appointment.

Please note, depending on the calendar availability, there is no guarantee that you will be able to schedule the same date and time as originally scheduled.

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5.   Who can accompany me to the visa interview?

In general, only Visa applicants with scheduled appointments are allowed to enter the Consular Section. Parents or legal guardians are allowed to accompany minor children. For special instructions concerning translators or caregivers or to contact the consular section for more information, visit the consular section website.

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6.   Are all visa applicants required to appear in person for a consular interview?

Those who are renewing a previous U.S. visa, or who meet certain other age-related criteria, may qualify for a waiver of the visa interview. Eligibility is determined based on the answers provided to questions during the appointment scheduling process. However, consular officers reserve the right to require an interview for any visa applicant.

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7.   Can I edit my information after scheduling an appointment if I made a mistake? 

If you already have an appointment scheduled, you must cancel your appointment to edit your information. If you do not have an appointment scheduled, you must sign-in to your 

account, click on the gear icon dropdown to the far right of the applicant name and select "Edit". If you would like for an agent to do it for you, simply email us at support@usvisaappointments.comwith the information you would like to change.

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8.   Why is my appointment not on the date I selected? 

If the date that you have requested is not available, the earliestavailable appointment day will be scheduled. 

Please note that earlier appointments may be available for emergencies. If the date you receive does not fit your travel plans, please send us an email at support@usvisaappointments.comand we will request an expedited appointment for you.

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Document Delivery Questions

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1.   How do I track my documents that I have sent to the Consular Section?

The courier provides a Courier-in shipping number. Please request this number from the courier agent when you submit your documents for shipment. The status of your shipment can be tracked through the courier’s website.

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2.   How do I get my passport/visa back after the application is processed?

The processing time of the visa application and the printing of an approved U.S. visa varies in duration for each individual applicant. After attending the U.S. Consular Section interview, you may track the status of your visa application at https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC.

The tracking of your document return will begin when the U.S. Consular Section passes the documents to the courier. You will get an email alerting you when the shipping number has been assigned to your documents.

You can track the status of the shipment by signing into this website and clicking on the Courier shipping number link, which will direct you to the courier website for the latest tracking information.

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3.   Can I change the pickup location? Can I change to home delivery?

Yes, the deadline to change the location where your visa documents will be delivered is 24 hours before your appointment. After the time indicated, the option to change the courier location will be deactivated from your account and further courier changes will not be allowed.

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4.   It has been over 2 weeks since my Consular Section interview, when can I expect to receive my documents?

The processing time of a visa application is at the discretion of the Consular Section. Please visit https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC to check the status of your application. If it has been more than 5 business days since your visa was issued and you still have not received a Courier shipping number, please follow the instructions on the Contact Us page.

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5.   Can I expedite the courier return of my documents?

No. Once the Consular Section passes the document(s) to the courier, the shipment may take 1-3 business days for delivery.

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6.   I received instructions from the consular section to submit additional documents in connection to my visa application. How do I do this?

You can only send additional documents to the consular section if you received a letter or an email with specific instructions including the list of required documents to be mailed. To send the documents to the Consular Section free of charge, please follow the instructions you received to print the Courier-in Authorization Certificate from this website. If you experience issues printing the Courier-in Authorization Certificate, please follow the instructions for Document Delivery Issues on the "Contact Us" page of this website. For a list of the authorized document drop-off locations visit: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-co/niv/information/courier#courier_send.

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7.   How do I track document delivery status?

Sign-in to your account and click on the Courier Shipping Number link under Status. The page will open to the delivery status. If no Courier Shipping Number appears on your status, your passport has not been processed by the courier and may still be processed. After attending the U.S. Consular Section interview, you may track the adjudication status of your visa application at https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC or, if applicable, follow any local instructions given to you at the interview. If there are further concerns or issues with the return of your documents or if it has been more than 5 business days since your visa was issued and a Courier Shipping Number is still not available, please follow the instructions for Document Delivery Issues on the "Contact Us" page of this website.