US Visa FAQ
General US Visa FAQs
What types of visas are available for
people to come to the United States?
After I have my visa, I will be able to
enter the U.S., correct?
How do I know whether to contact the
Department of State or Department of Homeland Security about my issue?
My visa expires in 5 years, what does
this mean?
How can I find out how long I am
authorized to stay in the U.S.?
What are indefinite validity visas
(Burroughs visas) and are they still valid?
What types of visas are available for
people to come to the United States?
There are more than 20
nonimmigrant visa types for people traveling to the United States temporarily.
There are many more types of immigrant visas for those coming to live
permanently in the U.S. The type of Visa you need is determined by the purpose
of your intended travel. For an overview of visa types, please see Immigration Classifications and Visa
Categories on the USCIS Website. For specific information about each type of
visa, please review the information available on the Visas page.
After I have my visa, I will be able to
enter the U.S., correct?
A visa does not guarantee entry into the
U.S. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry, and
the Department of Homeland Security U.S. immigration inspector authorizes or
denies admission to the U.S.
How do I know whether to contact the
Department of State or Department of Homeland Security about my
issue?
Contact the Department of State, Embassy
or Consulate abroad with questions about U.S. visas, including application, the
status of visa processing, and for inquiries relating to visa denial.
Once in the United States, the traveler
falls under the jurisdiction of Department of Homeland Security. The Department
of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is
responsible for the approval of all petitions, the authorization of permission
to work in the U.S., the issuance of extensions of stay, and change or
adjustment of an applicant's status while the applicant is in the U.S. See Other
Government Websites below to learn more.
My visa expires in 5 years, what does
this mean?
A visa must be valid at the time a
traveler seeks admission to the U.S., but the expiration date of the visa
(validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the
length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of
Homeland Security to remain in the United States. Persons holding visas valid
for multiple entries may make repeated trips to the U.S., for travel for the
same purpose, as long as the visa has not expired, and the traveler has done
nothing to become ineligible to enter the U.S., at port of entry.
How can I find out how
long I am authorized to stay in the U.S?
At the port of entry, upon entering the
U.S., the Department of Homeland Security, US immigration inspector, provides
you a small white card, Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record in your passport.
Visa Waiver Program travelers receive Form 1-94W. On this form, the U.S.
immigration inspector records either a date or "D/S" (duration of status). If
your I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must
leave the United States. Your Form I-94, or I-94W is a very important document
to keep in your passport, since it shows your permission to be in the U.S. To
learn more see Duration of Stay
What are indefinite
validity visas (Burroughs visas) and are they still
valid?
Indefinite validity visas (Burroughs Visas) are
tourist/business visas manually stamped into a traveler's passport which were
valid for ten years. Effective April 1, 2004, all indefinite validity Burroughs
visas became void. Therefore, if you have an indefinite validity visa you must
apply for a new visa for travel to the U.S.
Source : travel.state.gov
|
|
