Nonimmigrant visa to the United States

Examples of Recent U.S. Visas Obtained Through the Vizaus Visa Center

Video Guide to Obtaining a U.S. Visa

A non-immigrant visa to the United States is issued by the American embassy to Ukrainian citizens who intend to make a short-term trip to the country for purposes of leisure, medical treatment, business, work, or study. There are a variety of different types of non-immigrant visas. Choosing the appropriate category is a process that requires careful study of the existing types of non-immigrant visas and analysis of current personal circumstances.

Types of U.S. Non-Immigrant Visas

A U.S. non-immigrant visa can be single-entry or multiple-entry. The former allows you to visit the country only once during its validity period. In other words, if you cross the country’s border and then leave, you will not be able to return on the same visa stamp. A multiple-entry visa, on the other hand, allows you to make several visits to America during the validity period of the stay permit. Upon entering the United States, a border officer will determine how long the visa holder can legally remain in the country.

Additionally, there are various categories of U.S. visas that depend on the purpose of the upcoming visit to the country:

• Visas B1/B2 (for business, tourism, and medical treatment);
• Visas F1, M1 (for education);
• Visas J1, J2 (for exchange program participants);
• Visas A, G (for diplomats and government officials);
• Visas O1, O2, P1, P2, P3 (for athletes, artists, scientists, and workers in the entertainment industry);
• Visas C1/D (for crew members of sea and air vessels);
• Visas I (for journalists);
• Visas R (for religious workers);
• Visas H, L, E2, TN/TD (for employment);
• Visas C1 (for transit through the U.S.).

You can apply for any type of visa by submitting an application to the American embassy on your own or by using the services of our company in Kyiv.

U.S. Visa Application Process

Many are interested in how to obtain a U.S. visa. You can handle the application process yourself or seek assistance from visa specialists. In any case, you will need to go through several stages:

• determining the purpose of the visit and the type of visa;
• payment of the consular fee;
• completing the online application form;
• gathering a specific list of documents and photographs;
• scheduling and successfully attending an interview at the American embassy.

Each stage requires special preparation, which should not be neglected. Remember that a denial will permanently damage your visa history and create problems for future document applications.

Documents Required for a U.S. Visa Application

Applying for a U.S. non-immigrant visa involves gathering a specific list of documents. Initially, you will need:

• receipt of payment for the consular fee;
• a valid passport with sufficient (1-2) blank pages and a validity period of at least 6 months beyond the end date of the trip;
• a printed form confirming the submission of the DS-160 application for review;
• printed confirmation of the interview appointment;
• photographs that meet the requirements of the American embassy.

Additionally, you should gather supplementary documents:

• internal passport and tax identification number;
• employment verification document indicating position and salary;
• proof of personal or sponsor financial guarantees;
• property ownership information;
• marital status information;
• information about where you plan to stay during your visit;
• invitation from a company in America (for business or work visa);
• invitation from relatives in the United States (for a visitor visa);
• for retirees – a copy of the pension certificate;
• for students – a certificate from the educational institution;
• for children – travel consent from both guardians and a copy of the birth certificate.

Documents from the second list are needed to confirm the purpose of the trip and ties to the home country. A visa officer may request any of them, so it is advisable to have them prepared in advance.

Part of the visa interview process involves fingerprinting. Fingerprinting is not required for individuals under 14 or over 80 years old, as well as those entering the U.S. on government assignments. More details can be found here: www.ustraveldocs.com/ua_ru/ua-niv-photoinfo.asp

Processing Times and Costs for a U.S. Visa

Obtaining a U.S. visa can take 2-3 weeks. Preparing the necessary documents and submitting them to the American embassy in Kyiv may take 3 to 7 days, and their review can take from 10 days to 3 months, depending on the type of visit permit and individual case aspects. Therefore, we recommend applying for a visa in advance. There is an option for expedited visa processing, but this requires significant reasons. To obtain a visa, you must pay a consular fee, the amount of which depends on the type of visa you choose. For example, the fee for a tourist or transit visa is 160 USD and is paid in hryvnia at the exchange rate at the time of the transaction. Our company’s services are paid separately and depend on the processing time and required visa support.