A VISITOR’S VISA IS MEANT ONLY FOR THOSE FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO INTEND TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, AND THEN RETURN TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES.   TYPICALLY, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME GIVEN TO A VISITOR WILL BE SIX MONTHS, THOUGH A REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION MAY BE GIVEN UPON APPROVAL OF THE REQUIRED FORMS.

NORMALLY, THE B-2 VISITOR'S VISA FOR TOURISM IS APPROVED FOR PURPOSES OF VISITING RELATIVES OR FRIENDS, TO OBTAIN MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT, OR TO ENGAGE IN A SHORT COURSE OF STUDY INCIDENTAL TO TOURISM, AMONG OTHER PURPOSES.  A STUDENT VISA WILL BE APPROPRIATE FOR FULL COURSES OF STUDY.

1. FILLING OUT THE VISA APPLICATION FORM 

THE FIRST STEP OF AN APPLICATION IS FILLING OUT THE CORRECT FORM, THE DS-160.  YOU MAY FIND THIS ONLINE AT http://travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_1342.html . AFTER PRINTING IT OUT, THE APPLICANT FOR THE VISA MAY CARRY IT AND OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO THE VISA INTERVIEW.

2. CHECK OUT THE U.S. EMBASSY OR CONSULATE’S WEBSITE FOR SPECIAL RULES

SOME EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES HAVE UNIQUE RULES OR PROCEDURES.  YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT THE POST WHERE YOU WILL BE APPLYING BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK:  http://www.usembassy.gov/ .     ALTHOUGH VISITORS MAY APPLY FOR A VISA ANYWHERE THAT THEY ARE PHYSICALLY PRESENT (AS LONG AS THAT LOCATION HAS A CONSULAR OFFICE THAT ISSUES THE KIND OF VISA THEY ARE ASKING FOR), LOCATIONS OTHER THAN THE APPLICANT'S RESIDENCE MAY CHOOSE TO REFUSE TO CONSIDER SUCH APPLICATIONS.
 
3.    OTHER HELPFUL DOCUMENTS

PROVE THAT YOU HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDS.  SOME CONSULATE REQUIRE THAT YOU PROVIDE AN I-134 AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT FILLED OUT BY A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER, TO DEMONSTRATE THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO COVER YOUR VISIT.  THIS MAY BE SUPPORTED BY A JOB LETTER FROM THE SPONSOR AND A COPY OF TAX RETURNS.

BRING EVIDENCE OF TIES TO THE APPLICANT’S HOME COUNTRY.  THESE TIES CAN INCLUDE PROOF OF FAMILY TIES, PROPERTY AND COMMUNITY TIES, CONTINUING EMPLOYMENT AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT WILL INDICATE A DESIRE TO RETURN AFTER THE TEMPORARY VISIT. 

BRING PASSPORT PHOTOS. YOU MAY FIND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSPORT PHOTOS AT THIS LINK:  
 

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotofaq/visaphotofaq_5328.html

IT MAY BE VERY HELPFUL TO HAVE YOUR SPONSOR WRITE A LETTER OF INVITATION.  THE LETTER OF INVITATION SHOULD INCLUDE INFORMATION THAT WILL BE HELPFUL TO THE OFFICER IN ADJUDICATING THE APPLICATION, PARTICULARLY INFORMATION THAT WILL SHOW A WILLINGNESS BY THE SPONSOR TO CARE FOR YOUR NEEDS WHILE YOU ARE VISITING the U.S.

4.    SAMPLE LETTER OF INVITATION

TO RECEIVE A SAMPLE LETTER OF INVITATION FROM OUR OFFICE, SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST BY FILING UP THE FORM ON THIS PAGE.