- 1). Apply for a visitor visa. A visitor visa permits a temporary stay in the United States for a specified amount of time. This visa is ideal for those visiting for business, pleasure or medical treatment. Categories for this type of visa include business visitor visas (B-1) and pleasure, tourism, medical treatment--visitor visas (B-2).
- 2). Apply for a student visa if you wish to study in the United States. The F1 student visa is for language or academic students, while the M1 visa is for vocational students. You and an official from the school at which you plan to study must sign an I-20 form. You, as well as your spouse and children, if applicable, must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- 3). Apply as an exchange visitor. Before you apply for the J1 visa, you must have been accepted into an exchange visitor program by a sponsoring organization.
- 4). Apply for a temporary work visa. Temporary work visas are grouped into five categories: H, L, O, P and Q. Each visa is for a specific type of work and some have a limit on the number of applicants accepted yearly.
- 5). Apply at an embassy in your country of residence. The U.S. embassy advises that the application process is usually more difficult if you try to apply for a visa through an embassy outside your home country.
- 6). Apply well in advance of your travel because processing times vary. Some embassies allow online applications only while others accept applications via mail or online. Expect an interview if you are between the ages of 14 and 79.
- 7). Provide documents to support your nonimmigrant visa application, Form DS-156. Among other documents, you will need to complete nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-157 send a passport, valid for six months beyond the intended duration of stay, a birth certificate and one 2-by-2-inch photograph. Males between the ages of 16 and 45 must complete the supplemental form, as well as citizens from countries designated as being in support of terrorism. Fingerprints will be taken at the time of the interview. Your application also must include the processing fee.
- 8). Visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information on how to apply for a visitor, student, work and exchange visa (see resources below).
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