Have you been thinking about the best process to apply for a US visa? Then continue reading as I explain in detail the perfect procedure to apply for a United States of America visa.
Whether you are going to the US for business, studies, tourism or conference, you must apply for a visa which will give you legal right to enter the country.
Getting a valid visa to the US looks like the most difficult thing for some people; maybe because of the long process involved, or the number of rejected people who have been trying to apply.
Do you want to apply once for a US visa and get approval? Then following the process I will lay down here is the best thing for you.
Even people who have zero travel experience can follow my guide and get their US visa in a single application.
Why does an American visa look difficult? There are many people like you who are praying and looking forward to moving to the US. The “American dream” is a factor that has made the process hard for some people.
Citizens from developing countries believe that moving to the US will end their suffering and usher in a new life for them.
Apply for US visa: Things to consider
Even though it’s your life long dream to migrate to the United States, you must consider some factors before going ahead to start visa applications.
These factors are very important as it will tell if you should even go ahead and apply for the visa or try another method.
Ask yourself some of these questions.
Do I need to apply for a US visa? Asking questions like this will help you understand if you even need a visa to move to the United States. Some countries have visa waivers and can travel to the US without having the normal visa.
What type of a US visa do I need to apply for? Do you know that many people who desire to move to the United States of America don’t know the type of visa to apply for? Well, that’s because they don’t have adequate information about the whole process.
If you desire to study when you arrive in the States then you need a student visa. There are tourism, business and conference visas which serve specific purposes.
Step-by-step guide to apply for a US visa
Do you want to know how much a US visa costs and how to apply? Read on as I explain the standard process to apply for a US visa for all countries.
Choose visa type
The first step to applying for a US visa is to choose the perfect visa type for your travel needs.
There are many types of US visa which I will list below.
- H-1B visa
- H-2A visa
- J-1 visa
- O visa
- F visa
- H-2B visa
- Business
- H-1C visa
- J-2 visa
- H-1B1 visa
- Exchange Visitor visa
- Work permit
- M-1 visa
The above US visa types have different requirements and procedures but the basic steps to apply for a US visa still remain the same.
There’s a category for each of them when you want to make a choice of the best in your situation.
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Tourism
Just as the name implies, this visa type is for those who desire to travel for tourism purposes. In most cases, you need to show the places you intend to visit plus the hotel reservations you have made.
The processing time for a tourist visa is short but you need to show many documents that will convince the consular of your intentions to return home after the trip.
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Family member visit
Do you need to visit your family in the United States? Then apply for a family member US visa category.
It requires that you show an invitation letter and other documents to show your relationship with the person you claim is inviting you.
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Medical tourism
You have to choose this visa type if you intend traveling to the US for medical treatment or checkup.
The processing time is short but the financial requirements are huge.
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Transit
You need this category of visa if you have the intention to stop at the US on your route to another country.
You are traveling to another place but you just want to stop over in the United States.
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Event or conference
Do you have an event or conference happening in the US? Then Apply for a US conference visa.
You will need to show authentic documents from the organizers who are inviting you for an event.
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Business
Business visa category only works for those who have investment or business in the United States. The said business must be worth a certain amount of money before you can qualify for a business visa.
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Meeting
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Study
The Student visa category is the most popular in the developing countries as it provides a headway to getting a green card after you are done with your studies.
Applicants who want to study in the US must show an admission letter from the university.
Apply for a US visa only when you have evidence of your financial standings if.
Provide the documents
Every visa type or category requires you to have all the documentation to prove your claims.
This process is the most important because if you fail to provide valid information as regards to your traveling needs, your visa will be rejected.
Download and fill the application form
This step involves you to provide information about yourself, your study plan, your travel insurance and the important information about your journey to the United States.
Pay visa application fees
All the visa types require you to pay for the application fees which in most cases are not refundable. So, you must only apply for a US visa when you meet other requirements to avoid losing money.
- Petition Based Visas fees $190
- E Visas application fees $205
- K Visas application fees $265
- Non-petition Based Visas $160
After paying the application fees, you will need to also pay the issuance fees depending on your country.
Compile your documents
The next step when all your documents and fees are ready is to compile your application documents well.
You may need the help of an expert to compile your documents to look awesome. If you fail to do this, then be ready for rejection.
Schedule interview for your US visa
The interview is a must for you if you want to apply for a US visa. Book a visa interview appointment with the US embassy in your country. In case there’s no US embassy in your country, then you must visit the nearest country to undergo the interview.
You will need to answer questions about your background, plans and other tricky questions.
It is important to make sure your answers are in alignment with the information on your documents.
Wait for your visa
When you are done with the interview, then you have to wait for the embassy to make a decision on your visa.
It can take months or even days depending on your visa type. People who apply for a US visa must be ready to exercise patients.
Prepare your traveling bags and other things immediately when your visa is out.
Remember to wait for the embassy to make a decision on your visa before spending on things.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a US visa?
The application process starts by choosing the type of visa you need depending on your travel goals. Then pay for applications, provide documents and go for your visa interview.
Is the US visa application still open?
You are free to apply for a US visa any time you like. Just provide the documents needed for your visa category.
What is the cost of a US visa now?
The cost depends on your visa type but generally, it costs from $160 to $265.
Conclusion
Do you want to apply for a US visa from your country? Then you should follow the steps I have outlined inside this clear post.
Visiting the United States of America becomes difficult when you lack the proper information on how it works.
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