This article was last updated and fact checked on January 28, 2023 by Mani Karthik.
Did you know that there were about 1.15 million visitors just from India to the US in 2018 alone? And, this number is expected to rise to 1.41 in 2022, say the figures published on Statista. People visiting America for business or leisure account for most of these visitors. Then there are those who visit the US for medical or research purposes. But, the first step to planning the trip is applying for a US visitors visa. You can choose to submit your application online or visit the US Embassy for more details about the offline visa application process.
Process for Visiting USA
If you are planning to apply for a US visitor visa online, here are some easy steps that you will need to follow:
Step 1 – Fill the Non-Immigrant Electronic Application Visa Form
First, you will need to complete the Non-Immigrant Visa Electronic Form or Form DS-160. Make sure you fill the form with the correct details. You can also take help from an immigration lawyer for filling your form. After submitting the form, you will receive a confirmation page, which is very crucial for the rest of the visa application process. So, save this receipt carefully.
Step 2 – Pay the Visa Fee
After you have filled the form accurately and decided on which visa type you want, you will need to pay the appropriate visa fee. On receiving the payment, you will be provided a fee receipt, which again is very important for the remainder of the application process. You can check the payment and currency options on this website.
Step 3 – Schedule Your Visa Appointments
Now you must schedule two appointments, one with the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and the other at the US Embassy. For this, you will require your passport number, fee receipt and 10-digit bar code from the DS-160 confirmation page. The first appointment is to provide your biometrics and the second is for the visa interview.
Step 4 – Visit the Visa Application Centre
For your appointment at the VAC, you will need to bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, appointment confirmation page and one recent passport size photograph. At the centre, you will have to submit your biometrics and photograph.
Step 5 – Visit the US Embassy
The final step in the visa application process is the visa interview at the US Embassy or consulate. The consular officer will ask you some basic questions about the purpose of your visit, itinerary, intent to return to your homeland, etc. Make sure you answer confidently and honestly.
Supporting Documents
In addition to the major requirements like passport, DS-160 confirmation page, visa fee receipt and appointment confirmation page, you should also carry some supporting documents for your visa interview. Those documents include:
- Bank statements to prove that you have sufficient funds to support your stay and travel in the US.
- A copy of your travel itinerary to show that you have planned your trip.
- A character certificate from the police showing that you have a clean record.
- A medical certificate from a certified doctor stating that you are fit to travel to the US.
Planning a trip to the US and getting your visa can be exhausting. However, don’t forget to buy yourself and your family international travel insurance, when are planning your vacation to the US. Having visitor insurance will provide financial support at the time of medical and situational emergencies.
