Visas | Travel Reminders |
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Inviting a Visitor |
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What is a Visa?
In general, citizens of foreign countries need a
visa stamp in their passport to enter the United States the same way
citizens of the U.S. may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Most
foreign nationals interested in coming to the U.S. will need to apply
for the appropriate visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the
U.S. Exceptions are made for Canadian citizens and a designated list of
countries (currently 27) eligible to visit the U.S. temporarily under
the B1/B2 Visa Waiver Program.
Individuals who need to apply for a visa should be
advised to apply in the country they currently reside or their
citizenship country. Appointment arrangements and visa application
processing times vary at each Embassy. In addition, security
clearances, especially in areas that are considered sensitive or are
listed on the Technology Alert List, may cause unpredictable delays in
the visa processing. While there is no way to control the visa
processing time, especially in cases of individuals who may be subject
to delays, ensuring the individual is prepared for the visa interview
will significantly facilitate the visa processing.
F students and J Exchange Visitors (students,
scholars, and researchers) must pay a $100 SEVIS I-901 fee prior to the
visa appointment in addition to any visa issuance or reciprocity fees
(based on the country of citizenship).
A visa doesn't permit entry to the U.S., however. A
visa simply indicates that a U.S. consular officer at an American
embassy or consulate has determined a foreign national is eligible to
enter the country for a specific purpose. Consular affairs are the
responsibility of the U.S. Department of State.
A visa allows you to travel to the United States as
far as the port of entry (airport or land border crossing) and an
immigration officer allows admission to the country. Only the
immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United
States. He or she decides how long you can stay for any particular
visit. Immigration matters are the responsibility of the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security. |