USA
Who needs a visa?
Anyone who is not eligible to enter the United States visa free
under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), or is not exempt from the visa
requirement. Please note: Travelers born in the United States and
those who hold dual citizenship with the United States must enter
and depart the United States on U.S. passports.
Nonimmigrant
Visas
The following provides information on visa requirements for travelers
to the United States who wish to visit, work or study for a temporary
period. The type of visa required will depend on the purpose of
your travel. Many travelers seeking to enter the U.S. for business
or tourism for less than 90 days will be eligible to travel to the
United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
Method of Application
With limited exceptions, nonimmigrant visa applicants aged 14 to
79 are required to schedule an appointment for an interview with
a U.S. consular officer. Interviews are by appointment only. The
Embassy does not accept walk-in applications.
Processing Times
Routine visa applications take approximately 5 workdays to process
after the visa interview. Applicants who tick yes to box 38 should
be aware that it is difficult to predict how long the application
will take to process, but can expect to wait a minimum of 14 to
16 weeks before being advised of the outcome of their application.
Applicants who are advised at the time of the visa interview that
their application will require additional administrative processing
should allow at least 60 days for this stage of the application
to be completed. Please note that the processing times quoted are
approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
Applicants who are advised at the time of their interview that
action on their application has been suspended under Section 221(g)
of the Immigration and Nationality Act are required to allow 10
- 15 days for their application to be processed once they submit
the missing documents to the Embassy
When
Visas Are Not Required
Ordinarily, foreign nationals entering the United States must have
valid visas unless they qualify for travel under the Visa Waiver
Program. However, there are some specific exceptions as described
in the following paragraphs.
Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens carrying valid Canadian passports do not require
visas if traveling to the United States for business or pleasure
or in transit. Note: A valid passport is required if traveling to
the United States from the United Kingdom.
Bermudan Nationals
Citizens of the British Overseas Territories of Bermuda do not require
visas if traveling to the United States for business or pleasure
or in transit unless they have a criminal ineligibility, or have
previously violated the terms of their immigration status in the
United States. Note: A valid passport is required if traveling to
the United States from the United Kingdom.
In order to fulfill the passport requirements of the Immigration
and Nationality Act, Bermuda passports must have the following endorsement
the "HOLDER POSSESSES BERMUDA STATUS", or a separate certificate
of Bermuda status should be presented with the passport. In addition,
if the bearer does not possess Bermudian status, s/he must have
a landing permit, reentry permit, or residential certificate/card
for entry
Mexican Nationals
Mexican nationals carrying valid Mexican passports and United States
B-1/B-2 Visa and Border Crossing Cards, Form DSP-150, may travel
to the United States for business or pleasure.
Note: As of March 17, 2003, Landed Immigrants
of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of,
and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland
are no longer eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa.
Details
about the Visa Waiver Program
Most visitors to the United States enter the country as tourists.
With the introduction of visa free travel to citizens of 27 countries,
it is now possible for many travelers, including British citizens,
to enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver
Program (WVP). Visa free travel is also available to qualified travelers
who enter the United States on business or in transit.
Citizens of the following countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria,
Belgium Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom may travel visa
free under the Visa Waiver Program if they meet ALL of the following
requirements:
o The traveler is a citizen of one of the countries named above,
traveling on a valid, individual machine readable passport. Note:
A passport indicating that the bearer is a British Subject, British
Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British
National (Overseas) Citizen, or British Protected Person does not
qualify for travel without a visa. A passport which states holder
has Right of Abode or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom
does not qualify for visa free travel;
o Traveling for business, pleasure or transit only;
o Staying in the United States for 90 days or less;
Plus, if entering the United States by air or sea is,
o Holding a return or onward ticket. If traveling on an electronic
ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation
to U.S. immigration at the port of entry. Note: Travelers with onward
tickets terminating in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean
Islands must be legal permanent residents of these areas;
o Entering the United States aboard an air or sea carrier that
has agreed to participate in the program. This includes aircraft
of a U.S. corporation that has entered into an agreement with the
Department of Homeland Security to carry passengers under the Visa
Waiver Program. Note: Other private or official aircraft or vessels
do not meet this requirement; and
o In possession of a completed form I-94W, obtainable from airline
and shipping companies;
Or, if entering the United States by land from Canada or Mexico,
o Is in possession of a completed form I-94W, issued by the immigration
authorities at the port of entry, and a $6.00 fee, payable only
in U.S. dollars.
To assist you in determining if you may travel under the Visa Waiver
Program we have constructed a Visa Waiver Wizard.
Important: Some travelers may not be eligible to enter the United
States visa free under the VWP. These include people who have been
arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction,
those with criminal records, (the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
does not apply to U.S. visa law), certain serious communicable illnesses,
those who have been refused admission into, or have been deported
from, the United States, or have previously overstayed on the VWP.
Such travelers must apply for special restricted visas. If they
attempt to travel without a visa, they may be refused entry into
the United States.
|
