How to Get a Visa for the U.S. From Another Country
- 1). Understand the rules. The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of 36 countries to come to the United States without a visa for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days. If your country is part of the Visa Waiver Program, you need to use a system called the "Electronic System for Travel Authorization," which involves a five-step process to obtain advanced authorization into the country. The application process involves both a processing and authorization fee that must be charged to a credit card.
- 2). Consider your situation. If you are from one of the 36 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program but plan to stay in the US beyond 90 days, you need to obtain a visa. If you aren't a resident of a Visa Waiver Program country, you'll need to chose and apply for the visa that suits your situation. There are more than two dozen non-immigrant visa types, each with different requirements.
- 3). Find an American consulate in your area. Some countries have a few consular affair offices located in different cities and in almost every case, the embassy's website is in both English and the host country's native language. Each website lists country-specific visa requirements. Note that some countries require appointments for visa interviews. Check the regulations closely.
- 4). Complete a visa application form. If you require a non-immigrant visa or another visa type, fill out the appropriate forms in advance of your travel. In countries where an interview is required, you'll be asked to submit this form in advance of your interview. The forms vary from location to location, so check your consulate's website for the correct information.
- 5). Pay the fee. All visa applications forms include processing fees, which vary from location to location.
- 6). Wait. The processing time for a non-immigrant visa varies. The Department of State's "Travel.State.Gov" website provides expected wait times for every consular office.
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