For travel to the US for tourism or business purposes with a stay of up to 90 days, a valid passport and an approved ESTA travel registration are usually sufficient. This applies to citizens of countries included in the US Visa Waiver Program, such as the UK and Ireland. There is no need to visit an embassy or attend an interview. This article will help people who need to apply for a non-immigrant visa to the US or want to do so for any reason, including cases where their ESTA application has been denied.
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Table of Contents
- Who Needs to Apply for a US Visa?
- Where to Apply for a US Visa?
- US Visa Cost and Visa Fees
- US Visa Application Process
- What Documents Are Needed to Apply for a Visa to the USA
- Photographs for a US Visa: Rules, Dimensions, and Parameters
- Visa Interview at the Embassy
- Frequently Asked Questions About Visas to the USA
Who Needs to Apply for a US Visa?
Anyone who is ineligible for ESTA travel registration or meets other criteria must apply for one or more of the following:
- They have not been approved for ESTA travel registration
- They want to stay in the U.S. for more than 90 days
- They are traveling to the U.S. for work, exchange or study
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Where to Apply for a US Visa?
You can apply for a visa at any United States Embassy. Brits are served by the US Embassy in London. Children under the age of 14 are not required to attend the interview, provided their parents have a valid non-immigrant visa.
You must make an appointment for the interview no later than 12:00 p.m. the day before on the USTravelDocs.com website. To make an appointment, you must first register.
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US Visa Cost and Visa Fees
The fees for a visa to the USA vary depending on its type.
Payment must be made before the actual interview. This is done exclusively through USTravelDocs.com. You can use a credit card to pay, enter a payment order through online banking, or go to a bank in person. I last updated the fee rates in the table on January 6, 2025.
Visa type Description Fee amount B-1 Business $185 B-2 Tourist $185 C-1 Transit $185 D Ship/Airline Crew $185 E Treaty Trader/Investor $315 F Student (academic) $185 H Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment, Trainees $205 I Journalist and Media $185 J Exchange Visitors $185 K Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. Citizen $265 L Intercompany Transferees $205 M Student (vocational) $185 O Person with Extraordinary Ability $205 P Atheletes, Artists, Entertainers $205 Q International Cultural Exchange $205 R Religious Worker $205 T Victim of Human Trafficking $185 U Victims of Criminal Activity $185 -
US Visa Application Process
- First, decide which type of visa you are applying for.
- Fill out form DS-160.
- Pay the visa fee on the official government website USTravelDocs.com and schedule an appointment for an interview at the U.S. Embassy. You must register for the interview at least one day in advance and no later than 12:00 p.m. This means that if you are interested in going for an interview on Tuesday, you must apply by noon on Monday.
- Please arrive at the U.S. Embassy no more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time, and ensure you bring all required documents with you.
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What Documents Are Needed to Apply for a Visa to the USA
🔴 Mandatory Documents
Submission of the following documents is required by regulations:
- Passport
- Confirmation of payment of the fee at USTravelDocs.com
- Confirmation page of the completed DS-160 form
- A passport-size photograph (51 mm × 51 mm, or 5 × 5 cm) with a white background taken within the last 6 months
🟠 Documents Required for Certain Visa Categories
For some types of visa, additional documents are required:
- F and M visas: Signed original I-20 form.
- Work and Travel program participants must submit a student index and proof of enrollment, while high school exchange participants must submit the contact information for their host family in the U.S.
- H, L, O, P, and R visas: I-797 approval notice, supporting documents, and, for L visa applicants, the new I-129S form.
- C1 and D visas: employment contract or letter from employer and, if applicable, a seaman’s book.
🟢 Optional Documents
Along with these, I recommend bringing the following documents to the interview, which may increase the likelihood of being granted a visa:
- Bank statements for the last 3 months
- Employment contract from your current job
- Invitation letter from the private individual or business partner you are visiting
- Students can submit a certificate of study and a study index
- Business people can submit a statement from the trade or commercial register
- Married couples can submit a marriage certificate, and in the case of a child visa application, the child’s birth certificate
- For some types of work visa, bring a work petition
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Photographs for a US Visa: Rules, Dimensions, and Parameters
When applying for a visa, you must submit an additional photo with a square aspect ratio. Detailed instructions can be found below and on the State.gov website. The government website offers a tool to verify the photo. You can use both digital and scanned photos, provided they are no older than 6 months.
1️⃣ Dimensions
For a digital photo, the minimum size is 600×600 pixels, and the maximum size is 1,200×1,200 pixels. If you choose to scan a paper photo, its size must be at least 51 × 51 mm, and the scanning resolution must be at least 300 pixels per inch.
2️⃣ Color
The photo must be in RGB color mode.
3️⃣ File Format
Only the .jpg format is accepted.
4️⃣ File Size
The maximum file size is 240 kB, and compression must not exceed 20:1.
5️⃣ Photo Content
The photograph for a US visa must show the entire face, neck, and shoulders from the front. The expression must be neutral, without a smile, with eyes open, and looking directly at the camera. The head must be positioned at the center of the photograph and must not be tilted up, down, to the side, or toward the shoulders. All facial features must be visible, and no other objects, people, or parts of the applicant’s body may appear in the photo. The size of the head from the top of the head, including hair, to the chin must be 50-69 % of the total size of the photograph. TThe background of the photograph must be plain, light, and free of shadows.
6️⃣ Technical Requirements for the Photo
The entire face must be sharp, but not out of focus. Brightness and contrast must be even. A proper photograph must be free of shadows on the face or background. Underexposure or overexposure is undesirable.
7️⃣ Other Requirements
Glasses are allowed in the photograph, provided they have clear lenses and do not reflect light, shadows, or frames that obscure the eyes. Glasses with dark lenses are allowed for medical reasons only. Head coverings or hats are permitted for religious reasons only, but may not cover any part of the applicant’s face.
Again, examples of acceptable and unacceptable visa photographs can be found on the government website.
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Visa Interview at the Embassy
The US Embassy is located at 33 Nine Elms Lane, Nine Elms, London.
Appointments for visa interviews must be scheduled in advance. You must provide the names of any accompanying persons when making the appointment. For security reasons, it is not permitted to arrive earlier than 30 minutes before the appointment time. All electronic devices, such as phones, tablets, or laptops, will be stored at the front desk.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Visas to the USA
I already have a visa for the US, but my passport will expire soon. What is the minimum required validity period for my passport after I leave the US?
For the UK, Ireland and other countries, there is no validity requirement of 6 months after departure. In other words, you can legally return from the US just one day before your passport expires. You can find a list of countries included in the Six-Month Club on the government’s website.Can I apply for a US visa in another country or do I always have to apply in the UK?
It is always better to apply for a visa in the UK (or in your country of permanent residence), but by law you can apply at any US consulate anywhere in the world. However, you should be aware that this can complicate the visa application process, as US officials may ask for proof that you intend to return to your country of residence.Can I apply for a US visa if I have been convicted?
Yes, you can apply for a visa, but you must also bring any documents relating to your misdemeanor, felony or felony offense to the interview. This includes the conviction, the date of the trial, and the type of offense.Who all has to attend the visa interview in person?
All applicants between the ages of 14 and 79, inclusive, must come in person for the interview. For children under the age of 14, it is sufficient if at least one of their legal guardians comes. Applicants over the age of 80 do not need to attend the interview at all. Exceptions are also made for diplomats going to the United States on assignment, including to international organizations such as the United Nations.How much money do I need to have in my bank account to get a visa to the US?
There is no set amount, but it should be enough to cover all your expenses for the duration of your stay.Will the fee for a US visa be refunded if it is not granted?
No, the fee is non-refundable.How long does it take to process a US visa?
It depends on your speed and the current availability of available dates. The US side releases interview dates several days in advance. Once your visa is processed and approved, it will be delivered to you by courier.
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