Information about Getting a Visa and Coming to the U.S

Since September 11, visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. The timeframes for visa processing today are difficult to predict with accuracy for any individual applicant, and will vary significantly by country. The State Department is working hard with other government agencies to rationalize clearance procedures in ways that continue to protect U.S. borders, our first priority, while facilitating legitmate travel.

For many nonimmigrant visa applicants, a personal appearance interview is now required as a standard part of visa processing, and contact will need to made by the traveler with the embassy or consulate to schedule an appointment for an interview. Additionally, applicants who need additional screening are informed at the time they submit their applications. These steps can take additional time to process a visa.

Please note that Embassy Consular Sections overseas have sole responsibility for issuance of visas, and they generally are the first point of contact for visa processing status. Visa Services at the Department of State is not able to expedite the processing of visa applications.

As part of your communications to each foreign participant overseas, we encourage you to stress to the importance of reviewing their visa status and making an early visa application, if one is required. Advance planning is important!

In communications, stress to participants that advance planning by foreign travelers is critical, including these planning steps for their visa:

1. As soon as travel to the United States is contemplated, foreign travelers should identify whether a visa is needed. If the traveler has a U.S. visa, check the expiration date to make sure that the visa will not expire before the planned travel date. For visa waiver countries, citizens of those countries meeting the visa waiver criteria, will not need a visa. If you do not know whether you can travel without a visa, using this program, review the Visa Waiver Program information on the internet at travel.state.gov/vwp.html.
2. Information about visitor visas, and what a person needs to apply, is available on the Department of State's Visa Services website at:

   http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html
   http://travel.state.gov/getting_vistors_visa.html.

   After identifying that a visa is needed, foreign travelers should contact the Embassy Consular Section in their country to determine visa processing timeframes. We recommend contacting the Consular Section via internet at travel.state.gov/links.html. Look for posted timeframes on the internet or call the Consular Section to hear recorded information about visa processing timeframes.
3. The Department of State's recommended first source of up-to-date visa information is their internet site at http://www.travel.state.gov/visa_services.html.