Get a Visa to Come to the United States

• 1). Determine if you meet the qualifications for the visa. To obtain an immigration visa, you must have a sponsor. The sponsor can be a family member already in the U.S or an employer. To obtain a work visa, your employer in the U.S. must obtain a labor certification before you can apply for a visa. Student visas require that student to return home after his education is complete and the funds to support himself while in the U.S. To obtain a visitor visa, you must show that you will be visiting for a limited amount of time, will be returning to your home and have the funds to support yourself during your stay in the U.S.
  
  
• 2). File your petition for a visa. If you are applying for an immigration visa, your family member or sponsor must file with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services a Petition for Alien Relative or Petition for Alien Worker. If you are applying for a work visa, your employer must file a Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you are applying for a student or visitor visa, this step is not required.
  
  
• 3). Apply for your visa and pay any fees required by the U.S. Embassy. If you are applying for an immigration visa, you will need to provide your passport, birth certificate, any police reports and any civil reports requested by the embassy. If you are applying for a work, student or visitor visa, you must complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, provide a passport and a current 2x2 photograph. If applying for a student visa, you will also need to provide either a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status-For Academic and Language Students or a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for Vocational Students. Your transcripts and standardized testing scores may also be required.
  
  
• 4). Schedule and attend your interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate Office. Unless you are applying for a visitor visa, you will be required to complete an interview process. Individuals 13 years old and younger and 80 years old and older are generally not required to have an interview. Your fingerprints will be taken at the interview. If you are applying for an immigration visa, you will be required to complete a medical exam prior to the interview. In addition, you must provide vaccination records at your interview.