Applying for a USA Non immigrant Visa.
It is now a must to all U.S non-immigrant visa applicants to fill and complete the application form DS-156 online first. Then it should be printed and signed and to be hand overed to the U.S. Consulate at the time of the interview. This is a requirement by the Department of State.
You must apply in your home country U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If there is not a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country then you have to apply to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate located in another country which is responsible for your country's interest.
Citizen of certain countries can travel to the U.S for business or pleasure up to 90 days if they hold a valid a machine-readable passport or a machine-readable US visa, under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). And they must have a valid round trip air ticket.
Nationals of Bermuda, Canada, or Mexico can travel without a visa, chek other pages for more information.
A non refundable visa fee must be paid with the non immigration visa application form. If the visa is denied the visa fee can't be refunded.
The money can be paid in local currency, U.S Dollar or with credit card.
(Credit card facility available in some countries only). Nationals of some countries will have to pay an additional visa issuance fee based on fees their governments charge Americans applying for similar visas.
Those who need visas are:
Academics & Researchers - Researcher; Medical Internship or
Research; Professor/Lecturer/Speaker; Exchange Student.
Athletes, Artists & Entertainers - Persons with Extraordinary Ability &
Members of the Entertainment Professions.
Au Pairs - Au-Pairs; Nannies & Mother's Helpers
Business - Negotiating contracts, consulting with business associates, litigation; and participating in scientific, educational, professional/ business conventions, conferences or seminars and other legitimate activities of a commercial or professional nature.
Crew Visas - Crewmembers of international airlines and seaman employed in the normal operation and service of a vessel. For Example: Engineers, First mates, etc.(Including Private Yachts).
Cultural Exchange - Participants in an international cultural exchange program designed to provide practical training, employment and sharing cultural exchanges.
Diplomats & Government Officials - Government officials traveling on behalf of their national governments to engage in official business.
Domestic Employees - Personal or domestic servants who are accompanying an employer to the US.
Accompanying a Nonimmigrant Visa Holder: Personal or domestic servants who are accompanying or joining an employer on a non-immigrant visa to the US.
Accompanying an American Citizen: Personal or domestic servants who are accompanying or joining their US citizen employer.
Accompanying a Diplomat/Official (A-1 or A-2): Personal or domestic servants who are accompanying or joining a diplomat in the US.
Exchange Visitor - Taking up prearranged employment, training or research in the US under an officially approved program sponsored by an educational or other nonprofit institution.
Fiancé(e) - A fiancé(e) of a US citizen who will travel to marry and take up indefinite residence after marriage.
Holiday/Tourism - Holidaymakers or tourists, visiting family or friends.
Media - Representatives of the foreign media traveling on assignment.
Religious Worker
Student - A student wishing to attend a university or other academic institution to study.
Temporary Work Visa (H) - Required by an employee who is coming to perform services in a prearranged job.
Applying for a work visa must be done once a petition has been approved.
Intra-company Transferee Visa (L-1) - Employees of an international company who are being temporarily transferred to a parent branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the same company in the US.
Treaty Trader/Investor Visas (E -1 and E-2) - A national of a participating treaty country who plans to carry on substantial trade or to develop and direct an enterprise in which the national has invested. NOTE: No such treaty exists between Portugal and the U.S.
Transit Visa - Travelers in transit through the US onward with valid ticket..
These documents are necessary:
A valid passport with at least two blank pages.
Duly filled Application forms.
DS-156 - the visa application form DS-156 must be completed on-line, printed with the bar code and signed. Please, follow the instructions carefully.(Adobe Acrobat version is needed to complete the form properly.)
DS-157 - required for all male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 (this form may still be completed by hand)
DS-158 - required only for students and exchange visitors (this form may still be completed by hand)
Visa fee
A 5cm by 5cm passport-type photograph taken within the past six months against a white background.Necessary documents pertaining to certain visa categories, including but not limited to: approved petitions (P, O, L, and H Visas), original I-20 (F and M student visas), original DS-2019 (J exchange visas)
Applicants for derivative status must provide proof of their relationship to the principal applicant. For example, a spouse must provide a marriage certificate or a child must provide a birth certificate.
Information regarding your financial solvency and ties to your country of residence. This may include documents regarding your current employment, tax statement, ownership of property, etc.
Information regarding the purpose of your trip or additional information that is relevant to your application.