All applicants who wish to gain entry into the United States must have a valid passport or any other recognized travel document. It is advisable to have a passport that will be valid for at least 6 months past the date on which your visa is granted. Each applicant, including children of any age, must possess an individual passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.
There should be a valid visa issued at the foreign missions office located in the applicants home country. While applying for a visa the applicant should select one among the many visa categories applicable and fulfill the specific list of requirements. Visa's are not a guarantee of entry into the United States. The bearer of a visa is subject to inspection at The Port of Entry by the US Immigration officials who have the authority to deny admission if the traveler's activities are not compatible with the specified visa category. The visa aspirants have to show that they do not have a criminal record and are not a security risk. It is in the best interest of the applicant to carry with him or her, the evidence submitted to the foreign mission wherefrom the visa was obtained.
VISAS
Most visitors to the United States need a B-2 Tourist Visa to enter the United States. Some visitors, however, can travel to the United States for tourism under the Visa Waiver Program. Canadian citizens can enter with evidence of their citizenship and a photo ID if they arrive directly from Canada. If you are required to obtain a visa and are traveling to the United States for vacation, business, study or temporary employment you will be applying for a Temporary Residence or Non-Immigrant Visas within the category of travel that pertains to you and/or your family.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OR NON-IMIGRANT VISAS
These visas are issued for visitors, business persons, students or employees who wish to enter the US for a specific purpose or for a pre-defined time period, and are applicable to the nature of the visit. Certain categories of the non-immigrant visas require special documentation that can be furnished only by an authority in the US.
These categories include:
- Students who must have a valid form I-20 A-B or I-20 M-N issued by the prospective school/college or university.
- Exchange visitors who must have a form IAP-66 issued by the sponsoring organization
- Temporary workers and trainees, intra company transferees, Fiances of US citizens, Athletes, entertainers, cultural exchange visitors all of whom must have a specific petition filed on their behalf and approved by the INS Office.
If your passport is lost or stolen while on vacation visit or call your country's nearest consulate within the U.S. as soon as possible. It would be a good idea that you determine where your country's consulate is located before you come.
