US Visa

US Visa Categories

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to travel to the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.

US Immigrant visas.

Immigrant visas are visas for people who plan to reside permanently in America. Immigrant Visas are most times the first step people take before receiving citizenship. Usually a qualified family member who is already in United States Citizen submits an appeal on the behalf of the intended immigrant.

Immigrant visas are also granted to employees who have been hired for an eligible permanent position.Furthermore, to apply the employer or company where one is to be employed must submit an appeal.

US Non-immigrant Visas

Non immigrant visas are for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1 visa), for tourism (B-2 visa), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2 visa).

There are multiple types of non-immigrant visas depending on one’s reasons for traveling.

Business /Tourist Visa

This visa is intended for people traveling to the United States for business, pleasure or medical treatment. After applying for a business/tourist visa, applicants will wait 158 calendar days before receiving their visa appointment.

This visa takes 60 days to process. Stays with Business visas are usually granted for three months or less, while Tourism or Medical visas are generally granted for six months. The validity of the visa is 5 years.

Work Visa

This visa is intended for individuals traveling to the United States to work. This Visa is different from Immigrant visas because unlike the individual applying for an immigrant visa. In contrast to immigration visa, the individual applying for a work visa is only staying in the United States is only working in the country temporarily.

According to U.S. immigration law, you need a specific visa based on the type of work you will be doing. Most temporary worker categories require that your prospective employer or agent file a petition. Work visas are valid for the duration of work.

Student Visa

This visa is for foreign citizens who are traveling to the United States to study,it is also known as F-1 visa. Before applying for a student visa it is important that you first are accepted and approved by the school or program which you applied. These types of visas take an average of 3 months to proces. A student visa is valid for the duration of your studies.

Transit Visa

Transit or Ship Crew Visas are for individuals traveling in immediate and continuous transit through America on their journeys to another destination. On average, a transit visa takes 5 days to process, however it may take longer. All types of Transit Visas are valid for a period of 29 days or until the date you’re to depart the U.S on your ticket. Transit visas are also known as C type visas and they cannot be extended.

Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa:

Business Visa (B-1)

• Consult with business associates
• Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
• Settle an estate
• Negotiate a contract

Tourism Visa (B-2)

• Tourism
• Vacation (holiday)
• Visit with friends or relatives
• Medical treatment
• Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
• Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation).

These are some examples of activities that require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a visitor visa:

• Study (F1)
• Employment
• Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States.

NB: Birth tourism (travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their child) is not permissible on a visitor visa.

How to Apply

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Below are the steps required.

Complete the Online Visa Application (DS-160)

Complete the online visa application and print the application form, confirmation page to bring to your interview. You will also upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Which is required to be 5CM in size.

Schedule an Interview

Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.

Prepare for Your Interview:

Pay the non-refundable visa application fee, which you are required to pay it before your interview.

Gather Required Documentation

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

• Passport: Valid for travel to the United States, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States.
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Visa Application payment receipt
• Photo: You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160.which must meet the system quality size of 5CM, and also you must bring one printed photo for your interview.

Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

• The purpose of your trip,
• Your intent to depart the United States after your trip, and/or
• Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.

Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.

Note: Visa applicants must qualify based on their ties abroad/to their home country, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.

Attend Your Visa Interview

A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a visitor visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. They are usually taken during your interview.

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this required after the visa is approved, and make arrangements for the return of your passport and visa to you.

Entering the United States

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.

Extending Your Stay

Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being out of status. Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided. Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States.

Failure to depart the United States on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas in the future.

Change of Status

If your plans change while in the United States (for example, you marry a U.S. citizen or receive an offer of employment), you may be able to request a change in your nonimmigrant status to another category through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

While you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from USCIS does not require you to apply for a new visa. However, once you depart the United States you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the appropriate category for your travel.

Additional Information

• An individual on a visitor visa (B1/B2) is not permitted to accept employment or work in the United States.
• There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
• A valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.

Do you need further assistance?

Contact us for professional consulting services on your application. Starting from ₦20,000 only, we will handle your application and provide the necessary guidance to ensure a successful visa application.