Frequently Asked Questions

• Applying for a Visa to the U.S.
• Business/Work Visas
• Students and Exchange Visitors
• After Obtaining Your Visa/Travel to the U.S.

Applying for a Visa to the U.S.

I have a valid U.S. visa in my old passport. Can I just transfer it to my new passport?

Under U.S. law you may travel with a valid visa in an expired passport along with a new valid passport. You may continue to use your valid visa in the old passport until the visa’s expiration date. We do not transfer visas from old to new passports. We must point out, however, that Czech law does not allow a person to hold two passports at the same time. When your passport expires and you apply for a new one, the Czech government will keep the old passport.  If you wish to have a visa in your new passport, you must apply for a new visa.

My passport will expire soon? May I still travel to the U.S.?

As long as your passport will expire after the date of your departure from the U.S. you may travel.  The Czech Republic is a member of the “Six Month Club” and Czech passport holders may travel to the U.S. without the usual six months of validity on their passports.

Can I apply for a visa in the Czech Republic if I am not a Czech passport holder or a permanent resident of the Czech Republic?

An applicant has the right to apply at any Embassy or Consulate abroad. However, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa when applying outside your own country of permanent residence. If you choose to apply in the Czech Republic it is on the understanding that you may be refused, and the application fee is non-refundable if the visa is not issued. You are expected to demonstrate strong ties to your country that you plan to return to after your visit to the US. Therefore, applicants are advised to always apply in their own country of permanent residence if possible. The decision on the issuance of the visa will be made at the time of application.

I was arrested/convicted years ago; can I apply for a visa?

Anyone arrested or convicted of a crime (regardless of how long ago) may apply for a visa. The applicant should come to the interview prepared to provide details regarding the arrest or conviction, including court documents and other information. This information is in addition to the usual application requirements.

I will be traveling with friends.  Do all of us need to have an interview?

Yes.  Each traveler or family member must have an individual visa appointment and interview. The only exception is for children under the age of 14 or adults 80 years old or older.

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What about my kids? Do they need to come to the interview?

All visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 must appear in person for an interview and fingerprinting. Children under 14 are not required to appear for an interview, but at least one of their parents should appear at the Embassy. The only exceptions to this rule are foreign diplomats who are traveling to their missions in the U.S. or to international organizations like the UN.

If my child’s name is listed in my Czech passport, does s/he need their own visa to visit the U.S.?

Yes.  All travelers to the U.S. from the Czech Republic, regardless of age, must have a valid U.S. visa in order to enter the United States. This is a requirement even for children whose names appear in their parents’ passports.

How much money do I need to have in my bank account to get a visa?

There is no specific amount needed, nor is ability to fund your trip the only deciding factor in the visa process. Applicants are encouraged to bring the recommended documents for review by the Visa officer.

If I am denied a visa, will my fees be returned?

No. The fees are for processing your application and the visa interview, not for issuance of a visa.

How long does it take to obtain an American visa?

The Consular Section regularly has visa interview availability a few days out. Once you have had your interview, your visa and passport are usually delivered by the courier service, or available for in person pickup, within a few days.

Please keep in mind, that some visa cases will require additional processing. The Consular Section cannot guarantee that a visa will be available the same day or within any defined time period given the need for processing or other delays.

How can I obtain additional information regarding the visa application process?

The U.S. Embassy Prague website and http://travel.state.gov are excellent resources for visa applicants.

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Business/Work Visas

My company is sending me to the US office for training; do I need a visa?

If the training will be under 90 days, and you qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, you may travel under ESTA.  If the training will be over 90 days or you do not qualify for ESTA, you will need to obtain a visa.  The B1/B2 visa allows you to attend short, in-house training courses of up to 6 months. You should carry a letter with you on the company letterhead stating the purpose of the trip, the approximate length of stay, and that your salary will continue to be paid from the Czech company.

Can I present a copy of my I-797 approval notice for my work visa?

Yes.

How long before the start of my visa may I enter the U.S. and can I stay after the end of my working visa?

This depends on which type of work visa you hold.   Holders of work visas may not enter the U.S. more than ten days prior to the validity date on the visa.  The permitted length of stay after the expiration date of the visa depends on the visa type.  Please ask for more details during your visa interview.

I want to apply for a C1/D to work as crew on a plane/ship/yacht; what do I need?

Applicants for C1/D visas should present a letter of employment on company letterhead outlining the position and details of the job.  This requirement is in addition to the DS-160 and other application requirements.

Can I work and/or study in the US if I have a tourist visa?

No.  You must apply for a work or student visa.

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Students and Exchange Visitors

My DS-2019/I-20/I-20M form has not arrived from the U.S. Can I apply for the visa with a photocopy of the approval notice to work/study?

No, you must have the original documents to apply, and you must bring all pages of the form to the Embassy.

How long can I stay after my student (F1) or exchange visitor (J1) visa expires?

Holders of F1 student visas may remain in the U.S. for up to 60 days after the expiration date on their visa.  J1 exchange visitors may remain for up to 30 days.

Can I work and/or study in the US if I have a tourist visa?

No.  You must apply for a work or student visa.

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After Obtaining Your Visa/Travel to the U.S.

How long is a visa valid?

You may use your visa to travel to the United States until the listed expiration date.

Do I have to use the courier service or can I pick up my passport and visa in person?

Applicants who have been issued a visa may either use the courier service, or in cases of imminent travel, pick up the passport in person at the Embassy.  The Consular Section cannot guarantee same day or next day pick up availability.  Applicants are encouraged to apply for their visas early enough to give time for any processing or delays.

I found a mistake in my visa. Can it be fixed?

Typographical error may be corrected at no charge with the first twelve months after a visa is printed.  We encourage all applicants to carefully review the information they enter in the DS-160 application, as this is used to enter the information on your visa.  You are responsible for supplying the correct information at the time of your application.

I have gotten married and changed my name. Do I need a new visa?

Yes. You simply apply for a new visa for your new passport following the normal method. Bring your marriage certificate and a photocopy of your previous visa to the interview.

How long can I stay in the United States?

The period of validity of a visa relates only to the length of time during which the holder may travel to the United States and apply for admission at a port of entry. It does not determine the length of stay which is a matter decided by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry.

I forgot to hand in my departure record (FORM I-94) when I departed the United States, what should I do with it?

If you have a white card (I-94) in your passport when you left U.S., please mail it with your name, date of birth, passport number, and date of departure to:

DHS - CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744

What can I bring with me to the United States (food, alcohol, medicaments, pets etc.)?

For detailed information on U.S. border and import regulations, please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at http://www.cbp.gov

I have a visa; do I also need a return ticket?

If you hold a visa of any classification, including a B-1/B-2 visa, you are not required to hold a return ticket; you may enter the United States on a one-way ticket.

All travelers are encouraged to carry with them evidence of funds sufficient for their visit and, with the exception of H and L visa holders, evidence that they have a residence abroad to which they intend to return at the end of their stay. Examples of such evidence include: traveler's checks; return tickets; copy of latest bank statement; letter from parents saying they will support you; evidence of current employment; and evidence of enrollment at an academic institution.

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