Persons seeking visitor visas to the US will need to book a US B1 B2 visa appointment with the US embassy in their county before their application can be processed. The interview phase is an important part of the process that most applicants must attend as it allows the embassy officials to ask relevant questions and examine original copies of their documents.
It may seem like a daunting task to apply for a visa appointment, but that is not the case if you know how to go about it. The good news is that this article contains all the necessary information about the steps to take. Keep reading to stay informed.
Who Does Not Need A Visa Appointment
Although most persons coming to the US book appointments with embassies in their countries, this is not the case for everyone. Some persons who don’t need visa appointments fall into this category.
Visa Free Travelers: Travelers from select countries that have established visa liberalization agreements with the US government don’t need visas to enter the US, so there is no need for a visa interview. What they apply for is an ESTA approval instead.
Minors/80 and Above: Minors below 14 years and older adults who are 80 and above are not required to attend a visa interview.
Visa Renewals: Persons applying for a visa renewal within 12 months after their last visa expires and meeting certain conditions can mail their documents to the embassy. Their application will be processed without appearing in front of a visa officer.
Steps To Take To Book A US B1 B2 Visa Appointment
Here are the steps to take for those who need to book an appointment with the embassy. We explain the steps below.
Complete The Application Form: The first step they must take is to complete the visa application form called the standard Form DS-160. This Form can be obtained online and submitted electronically after it is completed. Common information you will need to provide in the Form is your passport details, digital photograph, full name and address, travel Itinerary, and dates of last five visits to the US. All answers must be provided in English. After completing the Form, submit it and print out the Online Nonimmigrant visa application confirmation page as the embassy will request.
Locate The Nearest US Embassy/Consulate: The next step is to locate the nearest US embassy or Consulate in your country or city and schedule a visa interview. To do this, you must follow the instructions of the Embassy or Consulate, as no two Consulates work in the name fashion. Do take your time to check the processing waiting time and other details.
Pay the Visa Fee: Pay the visa fee using the format the embassy prescribes. The visa fee is not refundable and does not guarantee that you will get the visa. However, paying the fee is mandatory as your application will only be processed with the fee. While the embassies in some countries will allow the applicant to book the appointment immediately, others will require you to contact them directly to book the appointment.
Book The Appointment: Book the appointment using the method prescribed by the embassy and wait for the date.
Attend The Interview: On the D day, attend the interview with your application confirmation form and other documents. The embassy will review your documents and ask questions regarding your trip to ascertain if you have every intention to return to your country at the end of your trip.
After the short interview, you will be allowed to leave, and a notification will be sent to you to come to pick up your visa if your application is successful.
How Long Can You Stay In The US With A US B1 B2 Visa?
This visa is a non immigrant visa designed solely for visitors for short visits. The maximum time a visitor can stay in the US is six months, after which they must leave the country. The visa is valid for one year and up to 10 years. Validity is determined by the visa officer, but rest assured, yours will be a multiple entry visa so you can use it several times a year for visits.
Visa Processing Time
The processing time for the visa is not predictable because US embassies deal with an excessive amount of applications. So waiting times can take several weeks or months to get interview dates, so it is wise to apply several months in advance.
Visa applicants must book a US B1 B2 visa appointment with the US embassy in their country before they can be invited for interviews. However, this is not necessary if you don’t need to appear in person because of your age or situation.