Things to Know About the US Visa Application Process
An American visa is a travel permit that citizens of countries subject to a visa must obtain in order to enter the United States and remain in the country legally, according to the US visa regime. The authorities authorized to collect and decide on American visa applications are US foreign missions.
Does America Require a Visa from foreign Citizens?
Yes, all Foreign citizens are required to have a visa to travel to the United States, regardless of passport type and travel duration.
US Visa Application Eligibility Status
There are various application requirements for US visas, which vary depending on the purpose of travel and visa type.
In order to obtain a US visa, you must ensure that you meet the following conditions, regardless of your travel purpose and the type of visa you will apply for.
- Your trip to the United States must be temporary and you must provide documentation to prove it.
- You must have sufficient financial resources to cover all travel expenses.
- You must be able to provide sufficient evidence that you will return to their country at the end of your visa period.
Types of US Visa
American visas are basically divided into two categories: nonimmigrant (NIV) and immigrant (MRV). These two main categories are divided into sub-visa classes according to the purpose of the person’s stay in the USA.
The main difference between immigrant and nonimmigrant visas is the length of time the visa holder is allowed to stay in the United States. A nonimmigrant visa is temporary, meaning it expires and the visa holder must return to their home country immediately after the visa expires. Immigrant visas, on the other hand, are known as green cards and are permanent. After obtaining a U.S. immigrant visa, individuals can move to the United States and stay as long as they want, with no deadline to return to their home country.
Do US Visas Differ Depending on the Number of Entries?
No, all US visa types are issued as multiple entries. You have the right to enter and exit the US more than once during your visa validity period.
The only exception to the visa entry number is the K group US fiancé visa. Since K visa holders are expected to get married within 90 days of entering the US with their visa once, the visa is issued as a single entry.
Where to Apply for a US Visa?
If you are going to the United States temporarily for purposes such as touristic travel, business trip, education or work, you can apply to the US Embassy in Ankara or the US Consulate General in Istanbul, depending on the relevant visa type.
You can only apply for an immigration visa to the immigration department of the American Embassy to permanently settle in the United States .
The foreign missions of the United States of America in Adana and Izmir are not authorized for visa procedures.
Is There an Intermediary Firm for US Visa?
No, the U.S. Department of State does not authorize any intermediary agency to process visa applications. All visa applications are submitted directly to U.S. foreign missions.
How to Get a US Visa?
To apply for a US visa, you must follow the steps below in order.
- Complete the online visa application form (DS-160) and print the confirmation page.
- Create an account at ais.usvisa-info.com and pay the visa application fee.
- Continue on the same page and make an appointment for a visa interview at the US consulate.
- Prepare basic application documents and supporting documents for the type of visa you are applying for.
- On your appointment date, go to the Consulate, submit your documents and give your fingerprint record.
- Conduct your visa interview with a consular officer.
The visa interview is the final step in the US visa application process and at the end of the interview you will be notified whether your visa has been approved or not. For approved applications, the passport can be collected by courier or in person from the PTT center selected during the appointment process.
How Many Days Does It Take to Complete US Visa Procedures?
The processing time for US visas varies depending on the type of visa, the date of application and the density of the consulates. The US Embassy in Ankara does not provide clear information about visa processing times at consulates in their country, but shares current estimated waiting times for visa appointments.
Based on our knowledge from past examples, if you have applied for a non-immigrant US visa type and your visa is approved at the end of the interview, you can expect to receive your passport within an average of 7-10 days.
US Visa Tracking and Inquiry Process
US visa tracking and application inquiries can be made via the Consulate Electronic Application Center https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/. On this page, you can select the visa category you are applying for (non-immigrant or immigrant), then enter the US foreign mission and file number where you had the interview to find out what stage your application is at.
The US visa tracking and query screen is as follows.
US consulates do not provide information about the status of visa applications by phone or email. If you have received visa approval after the interview and your passport has reached the submission stage, an “Issued” notification will appear on the tracking screen as follows.
The tracking screen image where the “Issued” notification appears is as follows.
How Many Years Does It Take to Get a US Visa?
The validity period of a US visa varies depending on the purpose of travel. For example, while US B1/B2 group tourist visitor visas are valid for 10 years, student and temporary work visas are valid for 5 years. However, remember that the validity date on your visa does not indicate how long you can stay in the US.
The US visa image is as follows.
The expiration date on a US visa sticker only means that you can use it to get to the US by that time, but it does not mean that you can stay in the US by that time. The US Department of Homeland Security officer at the point of entry decides whether you are allowed to enter the US and how long you can stay in the US.
US Visa Duration of Stay
When you are granted entry to the United States on a U.S. visa, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security officer will stamp your passport or provide you with an electronic form, Form I-94, and the stamp or electronic form will include a period of stay or date for you. If your stamp or electronic form includes a specific date, that is the date by which you must depart the United States. It is important to keep your entry stamp or Form I-94 in your passport, as it shows your permission to be in the United States.
The Form I-94 visual is provided below.
Is It Difficult to Get a US Visa?
The process of obtaining a US visa cannot be said to be an easy process, considering the recent increase in the number of applications, visa appointment waiting times and the frequency of visa rejection decisions. However, if you meet the necessary conditions within the scope of US visa regulations and can prove this with sufficient supporting documents, we can say that you will not encounter any problems in the process of obtaining a US visa.
The most important points here are undoubtedly that you must convince the Consulate officer that you have sufficient financial resources and that you will return to their country at the end of the visa period. In accordance with the US visa policy, these two issues are taken into consideration in the evaluation regarding the granting of a visa to you. In other words, you must explain with documents that your purpose in going to America does not include immigration intentions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions to our experts about US visa applications are answered below.
Can I Get a US Visa from Another Country?
Yes, you can get a US visa from another country, but you will need to meet certain requirements and convince the consular officers why you are applying from that country.
In order to get a US visa from another country, you must have legal residency in that country. We can say that your chances of getting a US visa from a country where you do not have a residency permit are close to zero, because the consular officer who receives your application will assume that you will not leave the US.
However, a residence permit alone is not enough; you are expected to prove that you will return to your country of residence at the end of the visa period with various documents such as work permit, proof of education, etc.
Do I Have to Attend an Interview for a US Visa?
Yes, if you are between the ages of 14-79 and have not been granted an interview exemption, which is valid in exceptional cases, you must attend an interview at the Consulate to obtain a US visa. The visa interview is one of the most important stages of the US visa process. In the interview, as a visa applicant, you come face to face with the Consulate officer and explain your purpose of travel to the US, your personal circumstances and your intention to return to the country.
It is possible for people who have previously renewed their US visa or who meet the age criteria to be exempt from attending the visa interview. The US visa interview exemption status is determined by the questions asked to you when making an appointment for the US visa application. Visa authorities have the right to call any applicant for an interview.
My Visa Has Been Approved, How Can I Receive My Passport?
After the approved US visa applications, the passport can be collected by hand at the PTT center or by using the cargo service. You must specify the PTT center where you will receive your passport when making your visa appointment. If you want to change the selected PTT center after making an appointment, this process must be done at most 24 hours before the appointment.
After the U.S. Consular Section delivers the visa documents to the courier, it takes up to 3 business days for the documents to be ready for pickup or delivery.
What is the Difference Between a US Green Card and a Visa?
An American green card is a residence permit granted to individuals with an immigrant visa or those who have acquired immigrant status after a non-immigrant visa, which gives them the right to live permanently in the United States. An American visa is an entry document that only allows entry to the United States and activities that are possible according to the visa type.
People who have an American immigrant visa can stay in the United States indefinitely by obtaining a US Green Card after entering the United States .
The US green card image is as follows.
How to Get US Visa Consulting?
US visa consultancy services can be obtained for both non-immigrant and immigrant visas through accredited visa agencies registered.
There is no authorized intermediary institution for US visa transactions; therefore, we recommend that you do not trust people and websites that try to make appointments or sell health insurance by giving the names of visa centers.
How Much Are US Visa Consulting Fees?
US visa consultancy fees vary depending on the type of visa to be applied for and the scope of the consultancy service.
For US non-immigrant visa applications that you will make with rsscanadaimmigration.com consultancy; the basic consultancy package that includes online transactions, appointment making and document control costs an average of $120. This amount may increase in cases where travel health insurance and sworn translation are required.