Non-Immigrant Visas

General Information

Purpose of Visitor Visa

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a non-immigrant visa for temporary stays, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The "B" Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), or temporarily for pleasure (B-2). Persons planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose such as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc., must apply for a different visa in the appropriate category. For additional information, please contact the U.S. Embassy.

Qualifying for a Visa

Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:

1. The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business or pleasure;
2. They plan to remain for a specific, limited period;
3. That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding obligations which will ensure their return abroad at the conclusion of the visit, for example: ownership of property, details of immediate family, letters of employment, bank statement etc.

Visa Ineligibilities and Possible Waivers

The Non-immigrant Visa Application Form DS-156 lists classes of persons who are ineligible under U.S. law to receive visas. In some instances an applicant who is ineligible, but who is otherwise properly classifiable as a visitor, may obtain a waiver of ineligibility and be issued a visa.

All visa applicants seeking student (F-1), exchange visitor (J-1) and vocational student (M-1) non-immigrant visas must submit the following completed forms:

• Non-immigrant Visa Application (DS-156)
• Supplemental Non-immigrant Visa Application (DS-157)
• Contact Information And Work History For Non-immigrant Visa Applicant form (DS-158).

The above forms are required to be completed by ALL applicants applying for F-1, J-1 and M-1 student visas.

Forms are available for download here