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Visa Extenstion
| Visa Denied | Documents
from US
TIPS FOR U.S. VISAS: VISITORS - BUSINESS AND
PLEASURE
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the
United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa
for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.
The "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons
desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1)
or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2).
Persons planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose such
as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc., must
apply for a different visa in the appropriate category. Travelers
from certain eligible countries may be able to visit the U.S. without
a visa on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program
- QUALIFYING FOR A VISA
Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under
provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption
in the law is that every visa applicant is an intending immigrant.
Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption
by demonstrating that:
1. The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business,
pleasure, or medical treatment;
2. That they plan to remain for a specific, limited period; and
3. That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other
binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end
of the visit.
- APPLYING FOR A VISITOR VISA
Applicants for visitor visas should generally apply at the American
Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent
residence.
Each applicant for a visitor visa must submit:
1. An application Form DS-156, completed and signed. Blank forms
are available without charge at all U.S. consular offices;
2. A passport valid for travel to the United States and with
a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended
period of stay in the United States;
3. Two photographs 1 and 1/2 inches square (37x37 mm) for each
applicant, showing full face, without head covering, against
a light background.
- OPTIONAL DOCUMENTATION
Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly classifiable
as visitors under U.S. law. Evidence which shows the purpose
of the trip, intent to depart the United States, and arrangements
made to cover the costs of the trip may be provided. It is impossible
to specify the exact form the evidence should take since applicants'
circumstances vary greatly.
Persons traveling to the U.S. on business can present a letter
from the U.S. business firm indicating the purpose of the trip,
the bearer's intended length of stay and the firm's intent to
defray travel costs. Persons traveling to the U.S. for pleasure
may use letters from relatives or friends in the U.S. whom the
applicant plans to visit or confirmation of participation in
a planned tour. Persons traveling to the U.S. for medical treatment
should have a statement from a doctor or institution concerning
proposed medical treatment.
Depending on individual circumstances, applicants may provide
other evidence substantiating the trip's purpose and specifying
the nature of binding obligations, such as family ties or employment,
which would compel their return abroad.
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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 visitor
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 re-examine such
cases.
- U.S. PORT OF ENTRY
Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee
entry into the United States. The U.S. Citizen and Immigration
Services (USCIS) has authority to deny admission. Also, the
period for which the bearer of a visitor visa is authorized
to remain in the United States is determined by the USCIS, not
the consular officer. At the port of entry, an USCIS official
must authorize the traveler's admission to the U.S. At that
time the USCIS 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 apply to Extend their stay. The decision to grant or deny
a request for extension of stay is made solely by the USCIS.
- VISA WAIVER PILOT PROGRAM
Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for
90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to
visit the U.S. without a visa. Currently, 25 countries participate
in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program: Andorra, Argentina, Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco,
the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Visitors entering on the
Visa Waiver Pilot Program cannot work or study while in the
U.S. and cannot stay longer than 90 days or adjust their status
to another category.
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