Processing visas to the United States

Yulia Golinevich
immigration attorney
Non-Immigrant Visas
Visas
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Immigrant Visas
U.S. Visa Processing
Consider applying for a U.S. visa well in advance of your planned departure date if you are seriously intending to visit. This country holds a wealth of endless opportunities, both in work and study, and there are always many who wish to experience the American dream. Not to mention the various cruises and resorts in the United States, which are in high demand among consumers of different income levels. There are plenty of reasons to consider how to move to the U.S., but far fewer opportunities to do so. Obtaining a visa, especially independently, is quite difficult. The American embassy meticulously checks each applicant and issues denials, even for minor errors and non-compliance with requirements. This is because there are many hypothetical visitors, but limited spots. Moreover, illegal immigration is increasing every year – more and more people do not leave the country after their entry permit expires, and in combating this phenomenon, the U.S. is reluctant to open its borders. Only impeccable preparation will help realize planned tours and trips, and our company in Kyiv is happy to provide it for you.
Visa Categories
America is an amazing country with a rich cultural heritage, and tourism is one of the primary reasons to go there. However, generous salaries in companies and the renowned names of universities undoubtedly attract many people. For each purpose, there is a specific type of entry permit, and sometimes, there are several suitable options. Therefore, before applying for a visa, it is worth clearly determining its category. Our company’s consultants are happy to help you make a decision and provide further support and assistance in obtaining a U.S. visa.
You can apply for either an immigrant or non-immigrant visa at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv. The difference is that the former implies moving to the country on a permanent basis, while the latter allows only a short-term visit.
One of the most popular is the non-immigrant U.S. visa. Depending on the planned activities, it can vary and is designated by a Latin letter from A to R in combination with a number, each having its own features for U.S. visa processing. Entry permits can be opened for specific visit dates or for a long term – 3 years, as well as 5 and 10 years. The decision is made by the consulate officer based on your characteristics.
The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is most frequently requested, as it covers all trips for tourism purposes, as well as visits to close people and business partners. It can be obtained either by invitation from your relatives and friends living abroad or from a company in that country, or without one. This category includes:
- Business visa (B-1) – allows meetings with foreign partners, participation in seminars and conferences related to your current work;
- Tourist visa (B-2) – permits visits for leisure and visiting relatives, as well as health and wellness trips.
If you are primarily interested in promising job opportunities abroad, then a work visa to the U.S. will be just right. It has the following types:
- Highly skilled professionals (H-1B).
- Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A).
- Skilled and unskilled workers (H-2B) – temporary or seasonal work in various industries.
- Interns (H-3).
- Family members of individuals with an open H-3 category (H-4) – allows accompanying a relative during an internship by close family members.
- Transfers within the same company to different positions and branches (L-1).
- Family members of individuals with an open L-1 category (L-2) – allows accompanying a relative during work by a spouse or child.
- Distinguished figures in education and science, as well as their accompanying persons (O).
- Athletes or artists (P).
- Individuals traveling to the country for practice or work under an exchange program (Q).
If you dream of obtaining an education abroad, then a student visa to America is ideal, which has two types:
- Category F-1 – required for high school, college, or university;
- Category M-1 – student visa for non-academic, vocational training.
For a trip with a layover in the U.S., you will need a transit visa (C). It allows you to change flights without leaving the airport. To explore the sights of this country before visiting another, you need to apply for category B-2. Seafarers and other crew members, as well as air transport workers, should obtain a U.S. visa of category D. However, they most often receive a combined stay permit C-1/D (transit passengers/crew members). If aircraft or ship personnel wish to spend their free time exploring American cities, then along with a transit visa, a tourist visa will be needed.
There are also separate types of visas for religious workers (R), journalists (I), and participants in various exchange programs (J1). These are the non-immigrant entry permit options.
When it comes to immigrant visas, there are far fewer. First and foremost, there is the fiancé(e) visa (K1), which is issued for legalizing marriage in the United States. Secondly, there is the spouse visa, which is opened during the process of family reunification abroad. Both provide for the subsequent obtaining of a residence permit or U.S. citizenship.
Stages of Processing
To purchase a visa, it is enough to pay the consular fee, but this does not guarantee its issuance. The process includes several stages:
- Determining the main purposes of the trip;
- Applying for a visa at the consular section and completing the application form;
- Collecting the necessary documents;
- Scheduling and successfully passing the interview at the U.S. embassy.
The list is, of course, not long, but each stage is quite labor-intensive. To ensure the trip goes as planned, it is necessary to meet all the conditions for obtaining a U.S. visa, put in maximum effort, and stay focused. But there is another option – our company is ready to offer you quality visa support services – from simple consultation to full support at every step. We will provide you with the necessary level of preparation so that a regular, urgent, or even repeat visa to America is opened on time.
Required Documents for a U.S. Visa
Obtaining a visa involves collecting and submitting a specific set of certificates and papers to the U.S. embassy in Ukraine. They must meet established formatting standards and be translated into English. The main package of documents includes:
- A special application form completed online;
- A valid international passport;
- Several color and electronic photos for the visa;
- Internal passport;
- Taxpayer Identification Number certificate;
- Certificate from the main place of employment;
- Proof of financial guarantees (statements from an active bank account) or documents from sponsors of the upcoming trip;
- Information on property ownership;
- Marriage certificate and information on children;
- Hotel reservation;
- Booked round-trip airline tickets;
- Medical insurance for the entire duration of the visit;
- Invitation from a legal entity (for work or business visa);
- Invitation to America from a private individual (for a visitor visa);
- Copy of pension certificate (for retirees);
- Certificate from an educational institution (for students);
- Copy of birth certificate and parental consent for travel (for a child).
In addition to the above documents, obtaining a U.S. visa may require gathering additional information. For example, health status or medical test data. A more precise list of documents for a U.S. visa can be formed after a thorough examination of your situation. If you contact our staff in advance, we will have time to prepare you for all unexpected turns of events.
Important: As of 06/23/2015, in addition to the standard list of documents, a U.S. visa for Ukrainians requires applicants to submit their biometric data, which will be stored for about 5 years. Only children under 12 years old and individuals who cannot provide fingerprints, as well as heads of state, members of national governments, and their immediate family members, are exempt from this procedure.
Reasons for U.S. Visa Denial
Obtaining a visa to America is only possible with thorough preparation not only of documents but also of oneself for the personal interview at the embassy. Otherwise, you risk not achieving the desired stamp in your passport. Here are the main reasons for denial when attempting to open a visa to America:
- Submission of false personal information in documents or certificates.
- Unjustified cancellation of hotel reservations, especially after successfully obtaining a U.S. visa. It is important to know that most hotels notify embassy staff of such matters. As a result, your previously obtained stamp may be canceled.
- Falsification of documents.
- Lack of financial guarantees, both personal and sponsor-related for the trip, as well as information on medical insurance.
- Applying for a visa without a clearly formulated purpose.
- Previous denials or a completely clean international passport.
Instead of pondering how much a U.S. visa costs for Ukrainians and how to obtain it, start taking action. If you feel uncertain about your own capabilities or lack time, seek assistance from our consultants in Kyiv. They will create a clear plan for obtaining an entry permit with minimal personal presence. So you can easily attend to your affairs while the visa issuance approaches a successful conclusion.
Processing Time and Cost of a U.S. Visa
A U.S. visa for Ukrainian citizens takes quite a long time to process. It takes 3 to 7 days to gather the necessary documents and submit them to the American embassy. The review of the application and document package can take from 10 to 90 days, depending on the visa category and individual aspects. There is also an option to expedite the entry permit, but there must be substantial grounds for this. Experienced managers from our company in Kyiv can help correctly formulate and present them to the visa center. The cost of services, of course, will be higher than with standard processing. In general, the cost of a U.S. visa is influenced by its type and duration. To avoid unnecessary expenses, we recommend contacting us 3 months before the planned departure date. Our assistance in obtaining a U.S. visa will provide you with confidence and prevent a potential denial.
Advantages and Guarantees of Consulting Specialists
To find out how to obtain a U.S. visa without unnecessary stress and effort, contact our specialists. For many years, we have been helping people in Ukraine open new borders and realize their dreams. We employ only highly qualified managers who are well-versed in U.S. visa processing rules and can truly resolve complex situations when applying to the U.S. consulate. We provide a full range of services and ensure that their cost is accessible to people with different income levels. We offer:
- Consultation on travel to the country and how to apply for a U.S. visa.
- Preparation of the required list of certificates and papers.
- Completion of the online application form.
- Booking flights, including return tickets to Ukraine.
- Hotel reservations.
- Translation of submitted documents into English.
- Arrangement of medical insurance for the planned trip duration.
- Pre-scheduling for a personal interview at the consular section of the embassy, with the possibility of accompaniment there, as well as thorough client preparation for it.
- Urgent processing of any visa category.
Some of the main advantages of working with specialists are:
- Saving personal time;
- Guarantee of obtaining a visa.
While the U.S. visa is being processed, you can attend to your affairs – your constant presence is not required, as our managers handle all the details. Also, with us, you can forget about uncertainty in a successful outcome, we guarantee you will receive the desired stamp in the required timeframe. We handle all types of entry permits – even a religious visa, which has an additional list of documents, is not a problem for us.
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