Hello friends!!
Welcome back to another travel blog!
Ever dreamed of Winter nights in New York City, Wild ride in Las Vegas and being theatrical in Hollywood California, well my friends there's nothing like having a vacation in United States.
It's got everything a travel enthusiast look in for: Beaches, Snow, Tropical areas, Desert, you name it and it's there.
Everyone has this once in a lifetime desire to travel United States and have a thorough experience of international holidaying!
Is it expensive? Hmm.. I can make it sound cheap though, by repeating the word if y'all want, Jushh kidding!!
U.S does seems dreamy to most us as it is kinda expensive! Well it can be both affordable or luxurious depending upon the location you have chosen to travel.
In this particular blog I would be primarily focusing on Tourist Visa.
Getting U.S travel VISA is not that easy let me inform you guys well in advance!
For Indian passport holders, getting U.S VISA can be a smooth process or little bit irky sometimes. There are specific requirements which must be met by applicants to qualify for Tourism visa under U.S immigration law.
Mainly there are different categories for U.S VISA, depends upon the application one has submitted as here our basic reason is traveling, let's begin.
U.S Tourist Visa falls under the B-type Visa category.
What is B-Type Visa?
B-Type Visa is issued to those applicants who are travelling to U.S on temporary basis mostly for business or travel purpose.
This category is further divided into B-1 Type visa and B-2 Type visa, where,
B-1 Type Visa means - It is issued to travelers consulting with business associates, attending scientific, educational, professional or business conventions/conferences, settling an estate or negotiating contracts.
B-2 Type Visa means - it is issued to travel that is recreational in nature, including tourism, visits with friends or relatives, medical treatment and activities of a fraternal, social or service nature.
Often, the B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued as one visa: the B-1/B-2.
Points to be noted before you apply for U.S Tourist Visa online as this will ensure smooth Visa process. It is always good to be aware of things before hand.
1. You should have a valid Indian Passport with a validity of atleast 6 months from the intended arrival date in the U.S.
2. You should have sufficient funds to cover your expenses while your stay in the U.S.
Where to apply and How to proceed?
1. You must first fill the DS-160 form which is also known as Non-immigrant VISA electronic application. It is available online on the official website of U.S, click here. All the fields needs to be filled as they are mandatory in the form.
Documents required while filling up DS-160 form are mentioned below:
a. Valid Indian Passport. (Old passport too, if any)
b. Travel itenary, if you have already made travel arrangements.
c. Résumé or Curriculum vitae- You maybe required to provide information about your current and previous education and work history
** Also make sure you note down the application ID number present on DS-160 form as it is required to login if at the internet session expires
What Is DS-160 Form?
The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the United States. Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
2. Recent photograph of yours. For photo specifications, click here
3. After the form is submitted, you will have to pay a non-refundable and non-transferable visa fee amount of $160**
You can opt the payment mode via Debit/Credit, NetBanking, NEFT, PayPal and you can see more options available once you reach the payment page.
** The visa fee amount may vary according to the foreign exchange data on the day of payment **
4. Take the printout of the application you submitted.
What's Next?
1. You will now have to book two appointments in order to get your tourist visa.
Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you applied for specific instructions.
2. Your first appointment is with VAC, this appointment is booked on the portal itself.
In this particular appointment, the officer takes your photo and fingerprints (biometric). Officer then stamps the application form to let you through the next round of interview.
**You are required to bring your confirmation page with your application ID number on it so consular can retrieve your DS-160.
Also the 10-digit Barcode on DS-160 form is important as the consular uses it to view your application.
You must bring the confirmation page with you during all phases of the application process.
3. Your second interview is scheduled at embassy or consulate.
You need to carry:
a. Passport.
b. Your stamped Visa application form from the previous interview at VAC.
c. Travel itenary or trip schedule.
d. All other necessary supporting documents.
This is the deciding interview about your VISA status as consular enquires about how the applicant is going to fund their trip, about the duration of their trip, and their purpose of visit to the USA.
4. You get your VISA issued on the same day as your interview at the embassy or consulate.
Tips to get an assured VISA on the day of your interview:
The consular officer at embassy or consulate is the one who will determine whether you qualify for the visa or not.
1. Traveler must be able to assure the visa consulate that the stay in states is temporary and you are willing to move back to your respective country once your purpose in U.S is complete. (i.e. obviously travelling)
2. U.S consulate officer will also judge your interview on the basis of U.S Immigrant and Nationality Act (INA) guidelines.
3. Make sure you have all necessary documents on the day and you are well funded.
Where Do I Find US Embassy In India?
Click on the link given below for detailed information on the centres across India:
Things To Note:
1. Make sure you apply for VISA well in advance of your trip as it is highly suggested by U.S embassy itself to avoid any delays.
2. Make sure you don't book any non-refundable flights until VISA has been issued.
3. India is neither associated with the VISA Waiver Program nor does it come under the Visa Issuance Fee category (fee to be paid after the submission of Visa application)
(FYI as people might scam you on the airport or any third party might take advantage of this)
4. CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY IN US: Currency in excess of USD $5,000 must be declared at the airport. If you carry excess amount you will have to contact U.S embassy based in Washington.
For more information on U.S Tourism VISA, click on the link below:
or
FAQ's about the U.S travel Visa, click on the link below:
**Photo courtesy: Freepik: Kuprevich, Didord, Macrovector, Tarikvision**
So what's holding you up?
Plan your U.S trip well in advance!
If you have any further questions or queries regarding the U.S tourism VISA, please email me on travelidoscope@gmail.com.
See you in the next blog.
Keep Dreamin'
Ciao!
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