1. What are visa processing times?

On the day of your scheduled interview, you will know if your visa has been approved, denied, or require administrative processing. Approved applicants should have their visa and passports returned the following business day, except for holidays and weekends.Applications requiring additional processing may require some time to complete. At the end of the interview the applicant will have their passport returned, and given instructions on how to proceed.

If the application is refused, the passport will be returned at the end of the interview. 

2. I don’t’ live in Qatar, can I apply there?

Applicants are strongly recommended to apply for a visa in an appropriate country according to your situation.

These countries include your home country, the country of current residence or at a US Embassy assigned to accept your application because they do not have a US Embassy in your home country.  If you choose to apply in a country outside your place of birth or usual residence, it may be more difficult to demonstrate your qualifications due to the interviewing officers' unfamiliarity with your country’s local conditions.  

As always, there is no guarantee that your application will be approved. 

3. What are the procedures for nationalities other than Qatari?

The application procedures are the same for all nationalities in Qatar.

4. Can I apply for two visas at the same time?

A person may apply for as many different categories of visas as they like.  However, each visa category will require its own fee receipt.

5. How long before I plan to travel should I begin the application process?

We highly recommend applying for a visa as soon as you are thinking of traveling.  If for any reason an approved visa may expire before the date of travel, the application may be held pending for up to one year.  This does not apply to applications held for administrative processing.

6. I am transiting through the United States for only a few hours, do I need a visa?

Yes, a person in transit requires a valid visa to travel to the United States regardless of the number of hours spent in transit.  A person in transit may use a valid tourist visa, transit visa, or travel authorization as a Visa Waiver Program Participant.

7. My passport will expire in less than 180 days, should I renew it before applying for a visa?

A person applying for a visa should have a passport valid not less than 180 days.

8. My residence permit will expire before, during, or shortly after the visa process; should I renew it to apply for a visa?

A residence permit is not required to be renewed before the visa application process.

9. What is the Visa Waiver Program and does that apply to me?

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.  VWP countries are required to obtain a travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before they travel.

Please visit the following link for more information:  http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

If your travel authorization has been rejected, then you are required to apply for a visa to travel to the United States.  Please visit our visa section on this website to apply for a new visa.

10. What is a travel authorization and do I need one?

Travel Authorizations are only required to the participants of the Visa Waiver Program.  A non-participating country requires an approved valid visa to travel to the U.S.

11. How can I apply for a US visa from Qatar?

Our application procedures are listed on our website.  Please visit our visa section on this website to apply for a visa.

12. I am applying for a family temporary visa, what are the procedures?

We do not have family visas.  Each family member is required to have their own application, fee receipt, and appointment confirmation if applicable.  However, if all family members are scheduled for an appointment on the same day, they may be interviewed together.

13. How do I renew my visa?

Expired or valid visas cannot be renewed.  Please visit our visa section on this website to apply for a new visa.

14. How do I transfer my visa?

Valid visas cannot be transferred.  A valid visa can be used in an expired passport, provided all the biographic information is exactly the same. Biographic information only includes your name, gender, date of birth, and nationality.Any changes to the information in your new passport will require you, by law, to apply for a new visa to reflect the changes. If all the information is exactly the same, you may travel and present both old and new passports at the time you arrive in the United States.

The other option is to apply for a new visa for your new passport. Please visit our visa section on this website to apply for a new visa.
Please visit our website for our application procedures. 

15. My passport is lost or was stolen with the U.S. visa in it; what are the procedures to replace it?

We do not replace visas.  Please visit our visa section on this website to apply for a new visa.  Along with your application, please bring the police report for your lost or stolen passport.

16. Are there specific application procedures for diplomatic passport holders?

Diplomatic passport holders are not required to pay fees on any visa application.  If a diplomat is traveling for official purposes, their application must be accompanied by an official letter from their employment stating their current position and the official business they will have in the U.S. to include itinerary.  If a diplomat is traveling for tourism, an application and appointment is required.

17. I am trying to upload my photo and the application will not accept it; what should I do?

The DS160 application form may not always accept the photo you uploaded.  If you are testing the photo, please continue to complete your application. During the photo stage, it will still require you to upload your photo. Please try again and if it still does not load, on the bottom, click to continue without the photo.  On the day of your scheduled interview, please bring your original photo on white background.

18. How do I retrieve my application?

To retrieve your application, please proceed to the DS160 application form. Select the region and language for the application, then “Start Application”. On the next screen, scroll down to “Retrieve Application”.  Answer the questions it prompts.  If all questions are answered correctly, the last page completed on the application will appear.  If a question is incorrectly answered, the application will not open and you will need to complete a new application. 

19. In my family, more than one family member shares the same passport; what are the procedures?

Each family member should present their own passport during the application process.  If you have an old passport where the mother shares the same passport with an infant, separate application procedures will still apply.

20. I have a hand written passport; do I need a machine readable passport to apply or travel to the United States?

Only countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program should be concerned with having a machine readable passport.  Other countries are allowed to use any valid passport from their country to apply for a visa or travel to the U.S. with a valid visa.

21. Is there a paper application to complete by hand?

We no longer accept paper or hand written applications. 

22. I have completed my application and discovered a mistake, what should I do?

If you have completed your application and later found a mistake, please complete a new application. We no longer have means to correct electronic applications.

23. How long is the application valid for?

The application from the day of your scheduled interview is valid for one year.  If you completed an application and decided to postpone your travel, please complete a new application to reflect your changes.

24. Do I need to print my complete application?

The application confirmation page with barcode is the only page required for your interview. 

25. What additional documents should I bring to my visa interview?

The application procedures list recommended additional documents to bring to the interview.  If you are unsure of what to bring other than what is listed please bring in the documents you feel would support your application in the format you choose.  Be advised we suggest documents to bring to the interview, but it is not mandatory.

If the interviewing officer feels your application needs a supporting document, you will be notified at the time of your interview. 

26. What are the fees for a U.S. Visa?

Please visit our visa section on this website for the specific visa fees for your application.

27. Am I exempt from paying the visa fee?

Diplomatic passport holders, official visa categories, and exchange visitors on a US government-sponsored program are exempt from paying the visa fee.  Each adult or child applying is required to pay the visa fee.

28. I already have a visa and I am only applying for my child under the age of 14 years, are the application procedures the same?

A parent dropping off a child’s passport may arrive at the embassy any working day with the application, passport, fee receipt, and copy of the parent’s valid visas.  If a parent does not have a valid visa, the parent will need to schedule an appointment for an interview.

29. Is an invitation from my U.S. sponsor required to apply for a visa?

Invitations are recommended for applicants applying for business visas.  The invitation should be from the inviting U.S. company.

30. I hold a passport from Canada; do I need a visa to travel to the United States?

At this time, Citizens of Canada only require a valid passport to travel to the U.S.  If you have a concern about visa categories other than business or tourism, please send us an email with your question of concern. 

31. I have a Canadian permanent resident visa; do I need a visa to travel to the United States?

Only Canadian passport holders may travel to the United States for certain travel with a valid passport.   All other residents of Canada will require a valid visa for travel.

32. How do I apply for a student visa?

Please visit our visa section on this website to apply for a student visa.

33. I am a student and I want to take my family with me to the United States for the duration of my studies; what are the procedures?

Once you have obtained the dependent I-20 for each family member from the school, please visit our visa section to apply for a dependent student visa.

34. How do I pay my SEVIS fee?

Please visit the following link to pay your SEVIS fee:  http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm

35. How long is the Commercial Bank Receipt valid for?

The Commercial Bank Receipt is valid for one year from the stamped date on the receipt.

36. I have paid the fee, and decided not to travel; how do I get a refund?

The visa fee is non-refundable.  Since it is valid for one year, you may use your bank receipt a one year’s time if you decide to travel at a later date.

37. Is the visa fee transferrable to another person or to another U.S. Embassy?

The visa fee cannot be transferred to another person or another U.S. Embassy.  If you decide to apply in another country, you are required to follow the country’s application procedures.

38. My child was born in the United States; can I apply for a visa for them to travel to the U.S.?

A U.S. Citizen can not apply for a visa. They are required by law to enter the U.S. with their U.S. passport.

39. Am I required to get an appointment for interview?

Most applicants are required to schedule and confirm their own appointments online.  Applicants applying for Student visas, exchange visitor visas, official government travel, and medical travel do not require appointments but will be asked for the appropriate documents to waive the appointment.

40. Something happened with my printer, and I was not able to print my appointment confirmation page, what should I do?

Appointment Confirmation pages are not required on the day of your schedule interview.  When you arrive at the embassy, inform the consular staff at the front gate you have an appointment.  If you name is on the list, you will be allowed entry for that day. 

41. Is there anything I should not bring to the U.S. Embassy on the day of my scheduled interview?

Because of security measures, cell phones, big bags, briefcases, electronics or toiletries are not allowed on the embassy grounds. To avoid delays, please leave these items at home or in your car.

42. Why was I refused a visa?

Every applicant must qualify under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952, as amended, which contains a presumption, that nonimmigrant visa applicants are actually intending immigrants.  They are ineligible to obtain nonimmigrant visas unless you can prove they have a permanent residence abroad which they have no intention of abandoning.  This is normally established by demonstrating family, social, and employment, economic or other ties in another country, which will compel them to return there after a temporary stay in the United States.

Consular officers wish to facilitate travel to the United States.  However, they are obliged to evaluate objectively the facts and circumstances surrounding each visa application and to judge whether the applicant has met burden of proof individually as required by law for issuance of a visa. 

Ineligibility under section 214(b) is not permanent and may be overcome in future visa applications.

43. If I was refused when can I apply again?

You are welcome to apply for a visa at anytime. However, we highly recommend waiting until circumstances have changed significantly before applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the future.

44. How do I check my status online?

To check your status on line, visit our “Status of Visa Application” page on this website. 

45. How often is the status updated on line?

The list is updated as we receive completed information.  It is recommended that you check this page after 4 p.m. Sundays – Thursdays (except holidays).

46. I have been checking online for my visa status and it has not appeared. Am I refused or should I apply again?

The additional administrative process can take anywhere from two weeks to six months or more to clear.  This process is not done here locally.  Do not apply again during this time.  Applicants found ineligible will be notified on the day of their scheduled interview.

47. When can I drop off my passport?

Passport drop off is Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a. m. (except holidays)

48. How long can I stay in the U.S. with my valid visa?

A visa allows an applicant to travel to the United States from the issue date until the expiration date listed. Once you arrive at the port of entry, the Immigration inspector will determine how long you are able to stay in the United States. There is no minimum requirement to use a valid visa. If your visa is for multiple entries, you may use the valid visa to travel for the same purpose until it expires. The visa must remain in good condition and the information must be clearly readable. 

49. How do I know my visa is for multiple entries or for single entry?

On your visa, under entries, either “M’ or a number will appear.  The letter “M” stands for multiple entries until the expiration date.  A number indicates how many times you may use your visa for travel until the expiration.

50. In my given name “FNU” was entered on my visa; what does this mean?

“FNU” indicates that an applicant only has one name or and unclear given and family name mentioned in the passport.  We enter “FNU” in the given name field for our purposes only.  This is a common practice.

51. I received my visa and noticed there is a mistake on the information provided, how can I correct that?

Corrections can be made to visas.  Please bring your passport any Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 8:00 and 10:00 am (except holidays).  The Consular Staff at the front gate will verify the correction to be made and will give you a date and time to collect the corrected visa.

52. The airline did not take my I-94 Card at the airport, how can I return that?

Please visit the following link:  https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/752

53. I am traveling to the United States, should my passport have six month validity?

Your passport should always have a minimum of six months validity when traveling to the United States.

54. Can I use my visa to travel to the Guam, US Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico?

A U.S. Visa is valid for travel to the 48 continental states, Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. territories.

55. Can I use my U.S. visa to travel to Canada or Mexico?

A U.S. Visa can only be used to travel to the United States and its territories.

56. If I enter a neighboring country, can I re-enter the U.S.?

If your valid visa is for multiple entries, you may use it to re-enter the U.S. as many times as it is mentioned.

57. I received a job offer, diversity visa lottery notification, or U.S Visa by email, is this real?

To verify the authenticity of emails or documents sent to you from the United States, please contact our Fraud Prevention Unit.