Visas
Before traveling to the U.S., a citizen of a foreign country must generally obtain a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you will need is based on the purpose of your travel.
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Baku provides visa services to Azerbaijan and other nationals residing in Azerbaijan. If you are residing in another country, it is often recommended to apply for a visa there regardless of your citizenship.
What is a U.S. Visa?
In general, a U.S. visa is a sticker placed by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a traveler's passport which gives that person the right to apply for admission into the U.S. Among the information printed on the visa are the category, the expiration date, and the number of entries allowed.
The category of a U.S. visa is determined by the purpose of travel (business, tourism, study, training, cultural exchange, sports, temporary employment, etc.). The category is important because it determines which rights or privileges a traveler may enjoy.
The validity of the visa ends on the expiration date. It is important to note, however, that this date only determines the last date upon which a person may enter the U.S. It does not determine how long a person may stay in the U.S. That decision is made by a U.S. Immigration officer when the traveler is entering the U.S. It should be noted, however, that the maximum duration of stay allowed varies according to the visa category. In some cases, the traveler may legally stay in the U.S. beyond the expiration date of the visa, but if he leaves the U.S. he must obtain a new visa in order to re-enter the country.
