United States visa
The United States issues sticker visas only after an in-person interview at a US consulate. The DS-160 form, the interview appointment and a strong document file are the three things that decide the outcome.
United States visa at a glance
Visa type
Sticker visa (consular interview)
Entry
Multiple entry (most categories)
Validity
Up to 10 years for B-1/B-2
Stay
Decided by the officer at entry, usually up to 6 months
Biometrics
Mandatory at the VAC
Visa types for United States
Tourist visa (B-2)
- Validity
- Up to 10 years
- Stay duration
- Up to 6 months per entry
Interview at the US consulate required.
Start application →Business visa (B-1)
- Validity
- Up to 10 years
- Stay duration
- Up to 6 months per entry
Meetings, conferences and negotiations.
Start application →Student visa (F-1)
- Validity
- Course duration
- Stay duration
- Course duration
Requires I-20 and SEVIS confirmation.
Start application →Work visa (H/L category)
- Validity
- Employer-dependent
- Stay duration
- As approved
Employer petition required.
Start application →Documents required for a United States visa
Select a category to see exactly what is expected, and how each document should look when you submit it.
Passport
Valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay, with 2 blank pages. Carry old passports too.
DS-160 confirmation page
Printed confirmation with the barcode, matching the details on your passport.
Appointment confirmation
VAC biometrics appointment and consular interview appointment letters.
Photograph
One 51 x 51 mm photo on a white background, uploaded and carried in print.
Photo specification
- 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 inch) square photograph
- Plain white background, head centred
- Taken within the last 6 months
- No glasses, no uniforms, neutral expression
Eligibility requirements
- A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
- A completed DS-160 for every traveller, including infants
- Demonstrable financial capacity for the trip
- Clear ties to your home country such as job, family or property
How to apply for a United States visa
Consultation
We confirm the right category and review your profile before anything is filed.
DS-160 preparation
We complete the form with you so nothing contradicts your documents.
Appointments
We book biometrics and the consular interview at the earliest suitable slot.
Interview prep
A mock interview with the questions officers actually ask for your profile.
Decision
We track passport delivery after approval and keep you updated throughout.
Important things to know
- Every traveller, including children, needs their own DS-160 and interview appointment in most cases.
- Answers given in the interview must match the DS-160 exactly.
- Previous US refusals should be declared; hiding them causes further problems.
United States visa FAQs
Ready for your United States visa?
Start your application and we will build the exact checklist for your profile.
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