Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should be the interval between two visits on a B1/B2 visa?
There is no interval pre-set by law because not every visitor has the same profile or the purpose of the visit. The frequency of visits should match the purpose of the visit. For example, business visitors entering on a B1 may enter 10-12 times a year for short stays of a week or so without any problems. But a parent who has just spent 6 months with his or her children in the US and enters again after a month may have a problem.
Generally, people spending 5-6 months for casual stays should wait at least another 5-6 months before re-entering. There can be exceptions in cases of genuine need.
Q: I have a 5-years multiple entry visitor visa (B1/B2). I have heard that I must travel to the U.S. within 6 months of getting the visa, otherwise, my visa will be canceled. Is it true?
That is completely false. If you have a 5-years visitor visa (B1/B2), you can visit the United States at any time within the last date of your visa.
Q. I have a valid U.S. visa in my old passport, which has expired. Can I get the visa transferred to my new passport?
No. If you are holding a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa in an expired passport, you may carry both your expired and new passport together and travel to United States until the non-immigrant visa expires. You do not need to obtain a new non-immigrant visa.
Q. Can a person on a visitor visa, if he/she get admission to a college and get an I-20, be able to change his/her status to a student?
A non-immigrant wishing to study in the U.S. must apply from his/her country of origin or residence if he/she wish to study in the U.S. on F1 visa.
Q. What's Next After a Visa Rejection?
There is no appeals process for a visa application - if your application for a US visa is denied, you can submit a new DS-160 form, pay visa application fee and schedule an appointment. This process can be started at any time from the next day of your visa refusal date.
Q. Can someone besides me pick-up my passport?
Yes. If a representative is collecting your passport from the document collection office on your behalf - even in case of family members - the representative must present:
• Their own original government-issued photo ID for identification
• A photocopy of your government-issued photo ID
• A letter of authority, signed by you, authorizing your representative to collect your passport. The letter of authority must contain the following information:
Q. How will I get my passport back after the interview?
If your visa application is approved, your passport and visa can be collected from the pickup location you selected when you scheduled for interview appointment. When your passport is available at selected location you will receive an email that your passport is “Ready for Pick Up”.
Q. I have a non-immigrant visa that will expire soon and I would like to renew it. Do I need to go through the whole visa application process again?
Each non-immigrant visa application is a separate process. You must apply in the normal manner, even if you had a visa before and even if your current non-immigrant visa is still valid.
Q. My visitor visa (B1/B2) expires after my intended date of arrival in the United States. Do I need to get a new visa before departure?
You can arrive in the United States right up to the last date of validity indicated on the visa. The Customs and Border Protection officer on arrival determines the duration of your stay in the United States. Your visa can expire while you are still in the United States – just be sure that you do not overstay the period of time the officer grants.
Q. My visa will expire while I am in the United States. Is there a problem with that?
No. If the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection Immigration Officer at the port-of-entry admitted you into the United States for a specific period of time, s/he will note your authorized period of stay on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94, called an Arrival/Departure Record. You will be able to remain in the United States during your authorized period of stay, even if your visa expires during the time you are in the United States. Since your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 documents your authorized stay and is the official record of your permission to be in the United States, it is very important to keep inside your passport.
Q. My passport has expired, but the U.S. visa in it is still valid. Do I need to apply for a new visa?
No. If your visa is still valid you can travel to the United States with your two passports (old and new), as long as the visa is valid, not damaged, and is the appropriate type of visa required for your principal purpose of travel. (Example: tourist visa, when your principal purpose of travel is tourism). Also, the name and other personal data should be the same in both passports. Your nationality, as indicated in the new passport, must be the same as that shown in the passport bearing the visa.
Q. I was either turned away from my interview or I was unable to attend my scheduled appointment. However, I am unable to schedule a new appointment because my MRV fee has been used. What can I do?
U.S. visa fee payment is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Please contact the service center and provide them with an explanation of why you were turned away or why you could not attend the interview. They will look into it and reset your fee payment, if appropriate, so that you can reschedule your appointment.
Q. I had a valid U.S. visa in my passport. However, my passport was lost (or stolen). What should I do?
You need to follow the steps below:
File a complaint with the nearest police station that has jurisdiction for the place where the passport was lost or stolen, and obtain a Police First Incident Report (FIR).
Immediately contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that issued your visa. Please provide your passport number, name, and contact details.
To prevent visa fraud, send an email to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and provide your passport number, name, and contact details.
Apply for a new passport. If you are in the U.S., apply with the embassy or consulate of your country. If you are in your home country, apply with the local passport authority there. That is the same office where you originally got your passport from.
Apply for a new visa all over again. At the interview appointment, bring along the FIR and photocopies of your lost passport and visa, if possible.
Q. I received a U.S. visa, and I received my passport back. However, I found that there is an error in the visa (name is misspelled, date of birth is wrong, etc.) How do I fix it?
The U.S. Consulate strictly follows the information given in the passport for visa issuance purposes.
If you think any of the information on your U.S. visa is printed incorrectly, you need to submit your passport to the consular section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your interview took place to get it corrected. It is at the discretion of the U.S. Embassy/Consulate to correct it. If approved, the correction will be made, and a new visa will be stamped.
Q. My visa application was rejected. Can I use the same DS-160 form, or do I have to fill it out again?
You will have to fill out a new DS-160 form.
Q. I overstayed in the U.S. during my last visit, and I am reapplying. What documents should I present to interview for a new visa?
It is illegal to overstay in the U.S. unless you have obtained lawful permission from the USCIS. This is reflected on Form I-797 (Notice of Action), determining that you were granted permission to remain legally in the U.S. for an extended period on your nonimmigrant visa. You must present a Form I-797, Extension of Status Approval Notice, during your subsequent visa interview.
Q. What should the applicant do if the visa is valid but the passport has expired?
If the visa is still valid in the old passport, then there is no need for the applicant to apply for a fresh visa. Carry both the passports (the old as well as the new passport), and the applicant can travel to the U.S. using this valid visa.
Q. What is Administrative Processing?
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply.
Q. My visa application has been refused. Why can't I get my money back?
The fee that you paid is an application fee. Everyone who applies for a U.S. visa anywhere in the world must pay this fee, which covers the cost of processing your application. This fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you are issued a visa or not, since your application was processed to conclusion. As one example, if your application was refused under Section 214(b) and you choose to reapply for a visa, whether applying at the same embassy or elsewhere, you will be required to pay the visa application processing fee.
Q. After I have my visa, I will be able to enter the U.S., correct?
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry, and the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immigration inspector authorizes or denies admission to the United States.
Q. How can I find out how long I am authorized to stay in the United States?
The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine how long a traveler may stay. At the port of entry, upon granting entry to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. immigration inspector, provides you an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record in your passport. On this admission stamp or paper Form I-94, the U.S. immigration inspector records either a date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States.
Q. My visa was damaged. What should I do?
If your visa has been damaged in any way, you will need to reapply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Q. How long does my passport have to be valid in order to apply for a U. S. visa?
You must possess a passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.
Q. How can I extend my visa?
The validity of a visa cannot be extended regardless of its type. You must apply for a new visa.
Q. Must I submit my visa application form electronically?
Yes, you must complete the DS-160 and bring a printed copy of the DS-160 confirmation page with you when you go for your interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Q. How do I read and understand my visa?
As soon as you receive your visa, check to make sure all your personal information printed on the visa is correct. If any of the information on your visa does not match the information in your passport or is otherwise incorrect, please contact the issuing authority (i.e. the) immediately.
The expiration date of your visa is the last day you may use the visa to enter the United States. It does not indicate how long you may stay in the United States. Your stay is determined by the Department of Homeland Security at your port of entry. As long as you comply with the Department of Homeland Security decision on the conditions of your stay, you should have no problem.
Q. What will happen when I enter the United States?
Your airline should give you a blank Customs Declaration form 6059B. Only one Customs Declaration is required for a family traveling together.
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, but allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine how long a traveler may stay. At the port of entry, upon granting entry to the United States, the Customs and Border Protection officer will determine the length of stay permitted. Previously, travelers received a paper I-94 (record of admission) with this information. This process is now automated, with some exceptions. The traveler will be provided with a CBP admission stamp on their travel document that shows the date of admission, class of admission, and admitted-until date. Learn more on the CBP Website. If a traveler needs a copy of their I-94 for verification of alien registration, immigration status or employment authorization, it can be obtained from https://cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/i-94. You can review information about admission on the CBP Website.
Q. I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the United States. What should I do?
Previously, foreign travelers granted entry by CBP officials received a paper Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). This process is now automated, with some exceptions. If you received a paper Form I-94 or I-94W and failed to turn in your paper Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record to the commercial airline or CBP when you departed the U.S., see the CBP Website for instructions. Do not send your paper Form I-94 or I-94W to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General.
If you received an admissions stamp in your passport instead of a paper Form I-94 when granted entry, the I-94 record was created electronically, and a paper copy was not provided to you. CBP will record your departure from the U.S. electronically. Learn more on the CBP Website.
Q. I changed my name. Is my U.S. visa with my old name still valid?
If your name has legally changed through marriage, divorce, or a court ordered name change, you will need to obtain a new passport. Once you have a new passport, the Department of State recommends that you apply for a new U.S. visa to make it easier for you to travel to and from the United States.
Q. My U.S. visa will expire in the next 6 months. Do I need to apply for a new visa after my current visa expires or can I apply in advance?
You do not have to wait until your current visa expires. You can apply for a new visa even if your current visa is valid.
Q. My child is studying in the United States. Can I go live with him?
While you can use your own B-1/B-2 visa (or travel under the Visa Waiver Program, if eligible) to visit your child, you may not live with your child unless you have your own immigrant, work, or student visa.
Q. How early should I apply for my student visa?
You are encouraged to apply for your nonimmigrant student visa as soon as you have your I-20. To ensure you get an early and timely date you may apply at any time. However, a student visa may be issued no more than 120 days prior to the start date mentioned on your I-20.
Q. I received my visa, when should I travel?
For your initial entry, you may only enter the United States within 30 days of the beginning of the course of study stated on your I-20, regardless of when your visa was issued.
Q. What if I receive an I-20 to a different school?
If you received an I-20 after scheduling your appointment, then you can inform the U.S. consular officer of the new I-20 at the time of the interview.
Q. I was working as an H-1B and have now been admitted to a university as an F-1. Do I need to return to my country to apply for a student visa?
No. Once you are in the United States, you do not need to apply for a new visa because the visa is only for entry into the United States. Check with USCIS to determine if you need to adjust status. If you leave the country, however, you'll need to apply for the student visa in order to re-enter the United States.
Q. Can an F-1 student work in the United States?
Full-time students on F visas may seek on-campus employment not to exceed 20 hours per week. After the first year in student status, an applicant may apply for employment off campus with authorization from USCIS. Please contact your student advisor for further information.
Q. How long does my passport have to be valid in order to apply for a US visa?
You must possess a passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).
