Nonimmigrant Visas
Many travelers do not need a visa to enter the United States, as they can benefit from the Visa Waiver Program. If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program you need to request a visa.
If you need to apply for one of the visa categories below, you will have to fill out the required DS-160 form. For further information, please see the "Visa Forms" webpage.
VISA CATEGORIES
There are several different Visa categories, according to the purpose of your travel.
NONIMMIGRANT VISAS
B1/B2 visas | for business and pleasure | |
F e M visas | as students | |
J e Q visas | as researchers, students, or on education and cultural exchange | |
H, L, O and P visas | as workers, trainees, or specialty occupations | |
C1 visas | transiting enroute to another Country | |
C1/D visas | as members of a ship or airline crew | |
R visas | as religious workers | |
I visas | as a media representative | |
E visas | as treaty trader investors | |
A, G and NATO visas | as diplomatic and official travelers |
IMMIGRANT VISAS
Immigrant visas (including K and V) | visas to live permanently in the United States | |
Diversity Visas | visas to live permanently in the U.S. as part of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL NONIMMIGRANT VISAS APPLICANTS
VISA INTERVIEWS
As a result of on-going reviews of visa processes as they relate to border security, the number of required visa interviews and the processing time for receiving visas have increased. Under new regulations, most applicants will be required to appear personally at a U.S. embassy or consulate before a visa may be issued to an otherwise eligible applicant. Appointments are required for visa interviews, and the wait for an available time can be substantial. Appointment procedures vary among the different consulates in Italy. In general, applicants will be placed on a access list to be allowed entry into the Consular Section. Only the applicant will be allowed in. Applicants should not bring cellular phones, large bags, or bulky items with them to the interview, as these items will not be allowed into the Consular Section, and there is no storage space for these items at the Consular Section. Information about how to schedule an appointment is included in each consulate's "application procedures" webpage.
Exemptions from Interview
An interview is generally not required for the following applicants, but the consular officer reserves the right to request an interview at any time with any applicant:
- under 14 years of age,
- 80 years of age or older,
- Most applicants for diplomatic official visas (applicants for A-3, G-5, and NATO-7 must be interviewed)
- Most visa renewals
These applicants can present their completed DS-160 visa application, photograph, paid visa application fee, passport and required supporting documentation to one of the following Mail Boxes Etc. designated offices:
Rome: Mail Boxes, Etc.
Via Andrea Ripa, 14/16
00198 Roma
Visa.roma@mbe.it
Milan: Mail Boxes, Etc.
Via della Moscova 13
20121 Milano
Visa.milano@mbe.it
Florence: Mail Boxes, Etc.
Via San Gallo 61 Rosso
50129 Firenze
Visa.firenze@mbe.it
Naples: Mail Boxes, Etc.
Via Andrea D’Isernia 41
80122 Napoli
http://www.visanapoli.com/
Mailboxes will provide this information to the Embassy/Consulate and the issued visa will be returned to Mailboxes. Applicants under the age of 14 should also provide supporting evidence from their parents such as copies of their parents visas, and proof of their parents employment.
Visa Issuance, Denial, and Validity
Presentation of documents required does not guarantee issuance of a visa.
Unless previously canceled, a visa is valid until its expiration date.
Therefore, if the traveler has a valid U.S. visa in an expired
passport, he or she may use it along with a new valid passport for
travel and admission to the United States. Attempting to obtain a visa
by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may
result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the
United States. If the consular officer should find it necessary to deny
the issuance of a visa, the applicant may apply again if there is new
evidence to overcome the basis for the refusal. In the absence of new
evidence, consular officers are not obliged to reexamine such cases.
Non-Immigrant Visa Processing Fee
Applicants for U.S. non-immigrant visas for travel to the United States must pay a non-refundable visa processing fee at any "Banca Nazionale del Lavoro" branch . The amount varies according to the type of visa and will be communicated by the call center in their confirmation email. Applicants must include two receipts from the "BNL" with their application to the visa section of Milan, Florence, Naples, or Rome. Please do not submit a visa application without obtaining the receipts first.
Reciprocity Fees
Nationals of certain countries, or recipients of certain types of visas, are required to pay visa issuance fees (called "Reciprocity Fees") in addition to the mandatory visa application processing fee. The additional amount must be paid directly to the Consulate itself. (Reciprocity Fees are not paid at the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro.) The Consulate will advise applicants directly whenever such fees are due. Payments will only be accepted in US dollars, euro and with credit cards.
Length of Stay and Immigration Procedures At Port of Entry
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has authority to deny admission.
A visa is issued based on the nature of the travel. The length of stay
is determined by the DHS at the time of entry. At that time, DHS Form
I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay
permitted, is validated. Those visitors who wish to stay beyond the
time indicated on their Form I-94 must contact DHS to request Form
I-539, Extension of Stay. The maximum length of stay for Visa Waiver
Program travelers is 90 days, which cannot be extended.
Additional Information
You can find further information on nonimmigrant visas on these websites:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- DHS "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services" (USCIS)
- DHS/USCIS "Forms and Fees" webpage
- DHS "U.S. Visit" website
- DHS "U.S. Custom and Border Protection" (CBP)
- FirstGov website
- State Department Consular Affairs Visa Information
- "travel.state.gov" website
- State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
RAPID VISA RENEWAL
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If you are renewing your visa, and meet specific requirements, you do not need an interview.
Please click here for more information.