Nonimmigrant Visa Information

Zambians and other non-U.S. citizens ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program require a visa to enter the United States. A nonimmigrant visa is required for a temporary visit, including for business, pleasure or study. An immigrant visa is required to reside permanently in the United States.

To apply for a visa, applicants must do the following:

1. Complete the online application forms (DS-160)
2. Schedule a visa appointment
3. Appear for the interview (pay the application fee, fingerprint scan, interview, present applicable documents)

                                                                                                                  All visa applicants should be prepared to discuss their purpose of travel and their ties to their home country.  Usually, approved visas are available for collection on the day after the interview.

Every effort is made to ensure that appointments are readily available and cases are processed quickly; however, circumstances can add to the wait time for an appointment.  Likewise, cases requiring additional processing can take several weeks to conclude.  Please visit these sites for information about average wait times and the timeframe for cases regarding administrative processing. All visa applicants are encouraged to plan ahead and allow sufficient time to complete the process well in advance of their planned travel.

Visa applications may be submitted at any embassy or consulate worldwide but it is important to understand that it may be more difficult to establish visa eligibility when applying outside your country of permanent residence.                        

For detailed information on types of nonimmigrant visas, visitor visas for medical treatment, what to do if you have lost your valid visa, how to request an expedited appointment or visa renewal, and other instructions, please consult our official visa information website.

Notice for Employment or Education-Based Nonimmigrants: For visa applicants in A-3, G-5, B-1 domestic employee, H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and J-1 categories, please take the time to read this pamphlet as you will be required to have read and understood the pamphlet before being issued a U.S. visa in your category.  In doing so, you will learn about and understand your rights, protections, as well as resources available to you, if help is needed when you come to the United States.

If you have further questions, please write to us at consularlusaka@state.gov.