1.
What is the difference between an immigrant and a nonimmigrant
visa?
An immigrant
visa grants the privilege of living and working permanently in
the United States. A nonimmigrant visa is issued to persons with
permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the
U.S. on a temporary basis, for example, tourism, medical treatment,
business, temporary work, or study. For more information, see
our Temporary
Visitor Home Page,
our Immigration
Home Page, or
FAQs
on Permanent Residency (Immigration).
2.
How do I get forms?
Most forms
are available online at Forms,
Fees & Filing Locations. If
you have questions about a Packet 3 or Packet 4, you need to call
the National Visa Center at 603-334-0700.
3.
In the U.S., whom can I call for information on nonimmigrant visa
cases and what can they do about specific visa cases?
In the U.S.,
you can call the State Department's Visa Services office. The
number is (202) 663-1225. This contains recorded information
for visa applicants. After listening to one message, there is
an option to speak to an officer between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.
They can usually explain what aspects of immigration law and regulation
are applicable in certain cases. They can also check if a case
has been returned to the State Department for an advisory opinion.
4.
What about nonimmigrant visa denials? What can Visa Services in
Washington do?
Visa Services
does not exercise authority to change consular officers' decision
on visa applications, but they can assist in finding out the status
of an application. They can also suggest several different methods
for getting the information addresses for letters, telexes, faxes,
and, in emergency situations, cables. If you have some facts on
an individual case, they can frequently explain the legal grounds
for refusal and any possible avenues of relief.
5.
When I call Visa Services for information all I get are recordings.
Why can't I talk to a live person? How do I get to a person?
The recordings
are in place to provide general information on a number of topics.
If you have a question about a specific case or about something
unique, it is possible to talk to a person. The recordings are
set up in such a way that you have to listen to one message and
then you will be given an option to speak with an officer.
6.
When should I call the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services?
Once you are
in the United States, you come under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) jurisdiction. You can call the USCIS
toll free at 1-800-375-5283.
7.
What if I have sent correspondence to a Foreign Service post and
have not received a response?
Visa Services
may be able to suggest other channels. Call (202) 663-1225.
After listening to the recorded information, there is an option
to speak to an officer between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.
8.
I'm traveling to another country. Where do I get my visa?
From the embassy
or consulate of the country you are planning to visit. See Foreign
Embassies & Consulates in the U.S.
9.
I need to find a foreign embassy or consulate in the U.S. Where
can I find the numbers?"
See Foreign
Embassies & Consulates in the U.S.
10.
What must be done to invite someone for a visit to the United
States?
Sending him/her
a letter of invitation can help a guest of a U.S. host. The letter
should include the invitee's name, reason for visit, period of
stay in the U.S., and method of payment of expenses. If the guest
is paying his/her own expenses, he/she must be prepared to show
the consular officer that sufficient funds are available for the
trip. If the American host is paying the expenses, an affidavit
of support may be included. For more information, see Tourism,
Business, or Medical Visits.
11.
What do I need for a visitor visa?
You must have
a passport, valid for six months beyond duration of your proposed
visit, one passport-size photograph, and proof of social, family,
economic, professional or other compelling ties to a residence
outside the United States to which you will be expected to return
after the visit. It is helpful to have a letter of invitation
and support, if you are visiting someone in the U.S. For more
information, see Tourism,
Business, or Medical Visits.
12.
How can I obtain a student visa?
Before you
can come to the United States as a student, you must be accepted
to an approved school and prove that you have sufficient financial
resources (scholarships, loans, family or personal resources)
to pay your school and living expenses. You must also prove compelling
ties to a residence outside the United States to which you will
be expected to return after the visit. Your U.S. school should
send you an I-20 form, which you will need to obtain your student
visa. For more information, see Student
Visas.
13.
How can I change visa status in the U.S.?
See How
to Change to a New Nonimmigrant Status.
14.
How can I extend the period of time I am allowed to remain in
the U.S.?
See Extending
My Stay in the U.S.
15.
Can the holder of an expired nonimmigrant visa, such as an "I"
journalist visa, in the U.S. be issued another nonimmigrant visa
before leaving the U.S. for a temporary absence?
In certain
circumstances, yes. See Revalidating
Visas in the U.S.,
or call the State Department's Visa Services office at 202-663-1225
(or fax 202-663-1608).
16.
How can I learn why I was denied a nonimmigrant visa at a post
overseas?
You should
always be told the reason for the denial, orally or in writing.
If you do not understand the reason, or you wish to offer further
evidence to overcome the denial, you should contact the post where
you made the application to determine that post's reapplication
policy. For an explanation of the most common circumstance under
which a visa is denied (based on "Section 214(b)), as well
as your right to reapply, see Visa
Denials.
17.
What can I do if I have been denied? Can I appeal?
A senior consular
officer reviews all denials. There is no "appeal" process per
se on visa denials, but you can reapply for a nonimmigrant visa
if you can present new evidence to overcome the previous grounds
for refusal. Some high-volume posts require that a significant
period of time (six months to one year) elapse before reapplication
with new qualifying evidence. By law, the U.S. consul must be
persuaded that you have a permanent residence abroad to which
you intend to return after a temporary stay in the U.S; otherwise,
the consul must presume that you are planning to remain in the
U.S. permanently. Since a nonimmigrant visa is not intended for
someone who plans to stay permanently, the consular officer must
refuse the visa. See Visa
Denials
for more information.
18.
How can I persuade the consul to issue the visitor visa?
This is generally
done by showing evidence of family, social, employment, financial
and other ties to the home country that will compel a return from
the U.S. Having a permanent residence abroad is a requirement
for tourist, business, student, exchange visitor and some temporary
worker visas. See Visa
Denials for
how to prepare for a visa reapplication.
19.
How can I help my employee, friend or relative get a visitor visa?
Provide a
letter of invitation or support. Be aware, however, that this
cannot guarantee a visa issuance. The applicant must qualify for
the visa according to his/her own circumstances, not on the basis
of an American sponsor's assurance. There is no way the U.S. sponsor
can guarantee that the applicant will leave the U.S. at the end
of his or her stay. It is up to the applicant to show that he
or she meets the requirements. You may want to forward the page
Visa
Denials
to your employee, friend, or relative for guidance.
20.
Do I Need a Work Permit to Work in the U.S.?
U.S. employers
must check to make sure all employees, regardless of citizenship
or national origin, are allowed to work in the United States.
If you are not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident (immigrant),
you may need to apply for a work permit, formally called an "Employment
Authorization Document" (EAD), to prove you may work in the
United States. For more information, see Obtaining
a Work Permit.
