Always contact the Embassy or Consulate of the United States in your home country for information on all visa matters.
The US embassy or consulate can inform you on all the procedures on obtaining a valid visa for the United States and on all the specific types of visa.
A visa for the United States is a document, a stamp or a sticker in your passport that shows that you are authorized to enter or leave the United States.
A US visa is subjective to permission for entering or leaving the United States from an immigration official at the time of the actual entry into the United States. A visa is
issued by the US embassy or consulate in your home country.
Some persons from certain countries do not require a visa for the United States, such as when certain countries have reciprocal visa treaty arrangements with the US.
A visa always has various conditions of stay
such as for example the dates of validity, maximum period of stay, purpose of visit and amount of visits, etc.
A visa generally gives non-citizens clearance to enter the United States and to remain there within the various conditions mentioned for the specific
visa.
A visa application in advance at one of the US embassies or consulates around the world gives the government a chance to consider your circumstance, such as reason for
applying, details of previous visits to the United States and financial security.
Sometimes a visa can be applied for through a visa service company which
specialized in the issuance of visas and other international travel documents.
When this is the case the US embassy or consulate in your home country can inform you about the possibilities to use such an authorized visa service company.
In the case that there is no US embassy or consulate in your home country you have to travel to a neighboring country which does have a US embassy or consulate and try to apply for your visa there. In
some cases it is sometimes also possible to apply per mail.
General Visa Information - Not specific to the United States
Types of Visa
There are a range of different categories of visas. The most common types of visas are:
Transit visa - For the purpose of passing through a
certain country directly followed to a destination outside that country.
Short-stay visa - This visa is for short visits or a short holiday. For certain countries
there are different sub catagories:
- Private visa: for private visits by by invitation from private residents. -
Tourist visa: for tourisme, leisure travel and holiday. - Medical Visa: for medical treatment in a hospital. - Business visa: for conducting
business and trade.
Long-stay visa -
For the
purpose of longer stays but still finite stays. Some sub catagories can be:
- Student visa: for study and school. - Temporary worker visa: for approved temporary employment. - Journalist visa: for
work as a journalist. - Residence visa: for obtaining long-term residence. - Immigrant visa: for immigration to the issuing country. - Spousal visa or partner visa:
for the partner or spouse to be settle as a couple. - Marriage visa: for civil partnership or marriage. - Retirement visa: for retiring.
Official visa -
For officials representing their home country and working for their government.
-Diplomatic visa: for diplomatic passports holders.
Visa - Entry and duration period
The duration of a visa can be for multiple entries or for a single-entry.
Single Entry Visa - this is a visa for a single entry into the country and used up immediately on entry.
Double-entry, or multiple-entry
visa permits the holder double or multiple entries into the host country.
Some countries sometimes also issue
re-entry permits. With a re-entry permit you can temporarily leave the country without invalidating your current visa.
For all specific information on visa matters, please inquire the consulate or embassy by contacting them directly by email or telephone call.
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