Visa Services

• Visa Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

What is a visa?

A visa is permission to apply to enter the United States. A visa is issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and entitles the holder to travel to the United States and apply for admission. A Consular Officer decides whether an applicant is qualified for a visa. The visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a port-of-entry in the United States, such as an international airport, seaport or land border crossing. At the port-of-entry, an officer of the Department of Homeland Security decides whether to allow the applicant to enter and how long he/she may stay. For more information on visas please visit the Consular Affairs website http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html.

Citizens of certain countries may be able to travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they meet certain conditions.  All VWP travelers should be aware that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which began to accept voluntary ESTA applications starting on August 1, 2008.  ESTA is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.  ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, and VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States.  ESTA will become mandatory for VWP travelers from newly admitted VWP countries on November 17, 2008, and for VWP travelers from all VWP member countries on January 12, 2009.  Learn more about ESTA, including how to apply for authorization, on the DHS Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.  Review the Interim Final Rule on the DHS main website.

Non-Immigrant Visa Types

• Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials (A visas)

• Employees of International Organizations and NATO (G and NATO visas)

• Business, Tourist, Visitors and Medical (B1/B2 visas)

• Student Visas (F and M visas)

• Exchange Visitors (J visas)

• Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q visas)

• Temporary Religious Workers (R visas)

• Treaty Investors (E2 visas)

• Foreign Media (I visas)

 

 

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Page last updated on: 07/10/2009, at: 10:10 a.m.