Learn more about the nonimmigrant visa process

What is a visa?

A visa is issued by a U.S.  Embassy or Consulate.  A visa is a sticker in your passport that entitles you to travel to the United States and apply for admission.  When you apply for admission, you  present your passport to a U.S. immigration inspector from the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a port of entry.  Citizens of Australia and of other visa waiver program countries do not require a visa for most tourist and business visits shorter than 90 days, but they do require a valid ESTA.  The CBP immigration inspector must determine every traveler’s  eligibility for admission to the United States, even if you hold a valid visa.  CBP also determines how long a traveler can remain in the United States.  Although the vast majority of visa holders are admitted for short stays, it is possible to be refused admission even with a visa.  This could happen if the type of visa you carry does not match the purpose of your trip.  For example, you cannot study or work with a tourist visa.  It is therefore very important to check all visa information and apply for the correct category of visa.

Who requires a visa?

All visitors who are unable to use the visa waiver program require a visa to travel to the United States.  Furthermore, certain Australian citizens and other visa waiver program nationals also require a visa.   The following people may need a visa:  business travelers or tourists who wish to stay in the United States for more than 90 days, airline crew members, crew members of commercial, private or maritime vessels, students, interns, exchange visitors, temporary workers and intra-company transferees, treaty traders, religious workers, performers and artists, representatives of foreign countries on official business, and journalists/media representatives.  See our ESTA program and our page on visa categories for more information.

How long does it take to get a visa?

Due to the requirements of biometric processing, we cannot provide same-day issuance.  Please plan to be without your passport for at least five working days after your interview to allow for visa issuance and return.  Some applicants may be subject to additional administrative procedures that may add weeks or months to the processing time.  Do NOT make travel commitments or purchase tickets until the visa has been received.  Prospective travelers should apply for visas early.

Personal or Domestic Workers

If you plan to travel to the United States as a personal or domestic worker on an A-3, G-5, NATO-7, H, J, and B-1 personal or domestic servant visas, you must read and understand the contents of the Legal Rights and Protections Pamphlet. The pamphlet is available at:  http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/pamphlet/pamphlet_4578.html.

Temporary Workers

If you plan to travel to the United States as a temporary worker (on a H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, or J-1 visa) you must read and understand the contents of the Legal Rights and Protections Pamphlet. The pamphlet is available at:  http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/pamphlet/pamphlet_4578.html.

In order for you to come to the United States lawfully as a nonimmigrant to work temporarily in the United States your prospective employer must generally file a nonimmigrant petition on your behalf with USCIS.  Read more at USCIS Temporary Workers.

For temporary worker visa, the applicant must provide only their I-129 receipt numbers from USCIS. (NOTE: Applicants are no longer required to provide original I-797 forms or original I-129 petitions from USCIS since consular officers are required to verify petition approval in PIMS.)

A list of all USCIS forms is available here: USCIS forms. 

Frequently asked questions

Please take some time to read our frequently asked questions page.