A tourist visa to the United States is an important and necessary step in your travel plans. The U.S. Department of State has a very specific set of criteria that must be met before they will issue a tourist visa to anyone, so it’s important to know what those are before you apply.
A tourist visa is not the same as a business or student visa, which have different requirements and purposes. If you want to study or work in the United States, then you need to apply for a student or employment-based visa instead of a tourist one.
The U.S. Department of State has very specific guidelines for who can obtain a tourist visa – so it’s important to know what those are before you apply!
Who is eligible to obtain a u.s. tourist visa?
A tourist visa is typically for a visitor to the US who has non-immigrant intent and is not seeking employment, study, or permanent residence. To obtain this type of visa, you must have an eligible sponsor in the US and have no intention of staying permanently in the United States. The visa processing can take up to 10 business days as long as you meet all the requirements for an eligible travel purpose and your sponsor submits the documentation required by the consulate’s standards.
What Documents Will Be Required?
The United States Department of State is the government agency responsible for issuing U.S. visas and providing other consular services to U.S. citizens traveling abroad.
To apply for a visa, you will need to provide the following documentation:
- Valid passport
- A completed application form (Form DS-160) with a digital signature
- One photograph meeting all requirements, including those on the visa application form (see photo requirements)
- Evidence of financial ability to cover expenses during your stay in the United States of America such as bank statements or other evidence of funds in your name, or an Affidavit of Support from a sponsor;
- A return or onward travel arrangements if applicable;
- Proof that you have purchased health insurance coverage while in the United States (if applicable)
- Payment for fees associated with the visa processing fee, which is due at the time of application submission.
What are The Costs Involved?
The costs of a visa depend on the country you are visiting. For example, if you are going to visit the United States, you will need to pay $160 for a tourist visa. This application fee covers both consular processing and expedited-processing services.
How Long Does it Take To Get A Visa Approved?
Tourist visas are usually granted for a limited period of time, and the applicant needs to apply for an extension before the visa expires.
The length of time it takes to get a tourist visa depends on the country in which the application is being made.
The process can take anywhere from one day to two weeks, depending on your nationality and where you are applying.
