Traveling to the United States

Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?

This page is intended to provide general information to individuals planning to visit the United States temporarily. The purpose of the visit determines what type of visa will be needed. Visitors planning to visit or attend a meeting will most likely apply for a B-1 visa. They should contact their U.S. host or meeting organizer for assistance and information not included here. Sponsored visitors, such as students and researchers, will most likely apply for F-1 or J-1 visas. The university’s or sponsor’s international office is their best resource.

Most travelers to the United States must hold a valid visa and a passport that is valid six months longer than the intended visit.

Most Common Nonimmigrant Visa Categories

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
Citizens of 27 countries do not need a U.S. visa for business or tourism visits of less than 90 days. However, if you will be receiving any compensation for your services or activities (i.e. lectures, presentations, etc.), you may need to apply for a visa. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for more information.

In order to enter to the United States without a visa, VWP travelers must meet these passport requirements by the following deadlines:

• June 26, 2005, all VWP travelers must have a machine-readable passport;
• October 26, 2005, all new passports issued by VWP countries must include a digital photo;
• October 26, 2006, all new passports issued by VWP countries must be e-Passports (includes a computer chip that stores biographic and biometric data).

Detailed information on these passport requirements is available at:
Department of Homeland Security website
Visa Waiver Program Passport Requirement Timeline (PDF document).

Below is a list of the 27 VWP countries. For additional details and updates on the Visa Waiver Program, see the State Department’s Visa Waiver Program website.

New Passport Rules for Travel to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Panama
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Documentary Requirements for Entry to the United States

Entry and visa requirements for Canadian Citizens
U.S. Embassy in Ottawa
Documentary Requirements for Entry to the United States

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How do I apply for a visa?

As a standard part of the visa process, the State Department is now requiring that consular officers interview almost every applicant. Some consulates may have a long wait for an interview so applicants should contact the consulate to schedule an interview as early as possible. Furthermore, many visa applications are sent to the State Department in Washington, D.C. to be reviewed by several agencies. Because of the number of visa applications and the need for thorough security reviews, the process can take several months. Therefore, it is advisable for travelers to apply for their visas as early as possible (at least three to four months before the visa is needed). Contact the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for details on visa application procedures at that post.

Tips for Successful Visa Applications

• Visa applicants are expected to provide evidence that they are intending to return to their country of residence. Therefore, applicants should provide proof of “binding” or sufficient ties to their home country or permanent residence abroad. This may include documentation of the following:
  - family ties in home country or country of legal permanent residence
  - property ownership
  - bank accounts
  - employment contract or statement from employer stating that the position will continue when the employee returns;
• Visa applications are more likely to be successful if done in a visitor’s home country than in a third country;
• Applicants should present their entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of their visa application;
• Include a letter of invitation from the meeting organizer or the U.S. host, specifying the subject, location and dates of the activity, and how travel and local expenses will be covered;
• If travel plans will depend on early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application;
• Provide proof of professional scientific and/or educational status (students should provide a university transcript);

For more information on applying for visas see:
U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas
Visa fees and Reciprocity tables

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What can I do if my visa is delayed or denied?

Committed to encouraging international scientific exchange and collaboration, the International Visitors Office has been collecting data on the problems that scientists and engineers are experiencing with visa applications. This data will be analyzed and used in ongoing efforts to increase scientific freedom. If you or someone you know has experienced difficulties in applying for a visa, you can report your case to us by submitting a Visa Questionnaire. We will review your case and contact you if we are able to assist in any way.

Visa delays
Due to increased security measures, many applicants must now appear for a personal interview at the U.S. consulate. Applicants should take this into consideration and start the process as early as possible since some consulates may have long waiting times for interviews (several weeks to a month).

Scientists and students will most likely experience delays due to a security review process known as Visa Mantis which is required for applicants with a background in one of the sensitive technologies on the Technology Alert List. The Visa Mantis review is not a new procedure. However, the number of applications being reviewed overall has increased significantly, leading to delays in the processing of applications.

Nationals from countries on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism (North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, and Libya) must go through a special security clearance process that will usually take several months.

Visa delays may also occur if a foreign national travels outside the United States for a temporary visit. For more information, see the Traveling from the United States section on this site.

For visas delayed longer than two months, applicants should contact the consulate where the application was submitted. In addition, it is advisable to contact the sponsor (F-1 and J-1 visa applicants) or the U.S. host or meeting organizer (B-1/B-2 visa applicants) for additional guidance. While U.S. host and sponsor institutions cannot guarantee that a visa will be issued, they may be able to provide additional information that will help in the process. Furthermore, the International Visitors Office regularly reports to the Department of State all visa cases (submitted through the Visa Questionnaire) that have been pending for longer than 20 days.

Visa denials
The most frequent reason given for visa denials is Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act: failure to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. An applicant must convince a consular officer that he has sufficient “binding ties” to his home country or place of permanent residence that will make him return there after his visit to the United States. Students and applicants from high visa fraud countries are more likely to have their applications denied under 214(b).

Occasionally the consular decision cites Section 221(g): lack of sufficient documentation or information needed to make a determination. In this type of case, there may be a notation that the applicant can reapply with the missing documents. This citation is also used when the processing of the visa is still incomplete or requires a security review before it can be issued.

Another reason for visa denials is a long-forgotten status violation or minor criminal conviction during an earlier visit. For example, an applicant who once overstayed his allowed period of stay might be denied a new visa. A former visitor who was ever convicted of any crime, even with a suspended sentence, may also be denied a visa.

All visa denials are reviewed by the consular officer’s superior and must be accompanied by a written statement citing the reason for the denial. While the decision of the consular officer is final, in many cases, an applicant can reapply for a visa only if he has additional information that was not provided with the previous application. For further information on visa denials and how to reapply for a visa, see the State Department’s page on visa denials.

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What should I do once I arrive in the United States?

All travelers arriving in the United States are met by an immigration inspector who examines each passport and visa, validates the Arrival-Departure (I-94) card, and determines the length of time the visitor may stay in the United States. While the visa issued by the consulate allows a visitor to apply for admission to the United States, the final decision is made by the immigration inspector. Visitors should be prepared to explain what they will be doing during their visit, where they will stay, and when they plan to return to their country.

All visitors to the United States holding a non-immigrant U.S. visa are photographed and fingerprinted upon arrival. This also applies to all visitors under the Visa Waiver Program. For further information see the Department of Homeland Security US-VISIT Program.

Visa Validity, Single and Multiple-entry Visas, Length of Stay
The visa validity date is the time period during which the applicant must use the visa to enter the United States.

A person with a multiple-entry visa valid for one year can make several trips to the United States during that year. Some people will be issued single-entry visas only; therefore if they travel outside the United States they must apply for another visa before they return.

The visa validity date has nothing to do with the length of stay which is determined by the immigration official at the port of entry.

Additional Information
Health Insurance. Medical care in the United States can be very expensive. All visitors should carry adequate health insurance valid for the duration of their stay in the United States.

Driving in the United States. Visitors who wish to rent cars must have a major credit card and a valid driver’s license from their own country. In some cases, an international driver’s license may be required. Contact the car rental company directly for specific information.

Required Change of Address Notice. Visitors staying in the United States longer than six months must notify the U.S. government of any change in their residential address within ten days or face serious consequences. Address notification should be made directly to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) using their required form.

Registration. Federal law requires that all non-U.S. citizens carry evidence of their lawful status with them at all times. This is especially important for all travel, international or domestic. It is advisable to keep copies of all pages of the passport, visa, I-94 Arrival-Departure card, and supporting documents such as DS-2019 forms, in a safe place in case of loss of the original documents.

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