United States Visa Requirements
Handled by VisaHQ. Government fees are set by the destination country.
Frequently asked questions
How long before my trip should I start the United States visa process?
Start as early as possible — embassy and consulate visa processing for United States is not something that can be rushed reliably, and required documents (invitation letters, proof of accommodation, financial statements) can take time to gather. Leaving this until close to your travel date is the single most common cause of missed trips.
Can I get a United States visa faster if my trip is an emergency?
Some embassies offer expedited or urgent processing for a higher fee, but this isn't universal and isn't guaranteed even when offered. Contact United States's embassy or consulate directly and ask specifically about emergency processing — don't assume it exists or rely on a third-party site's claim that it does.
Can I extend my stay in United States once I'm there?
Yes. You can apply from inside United States to stay longer, and you must do it before your current permission runs out. The official fee is $420. Granted in increments of up to 6 months. Repeated extensions are scrutinised as evidence of immigrant intent and are often refused without a compelling reason such as medical treatment or a family emergency. $420 filing online, $470 by mail, plus $85 for biometrics where required. File Form I-539 with USCIS before the date printed on your I-94. Filing on time keeps you in authorised stay while the case is pending, even past the I-94 date. Premium processing cannot be bought for a B-1/B-2 extension at any price, and the median decision takes about 3.4 months — so an approval may cover a period that has already largely passed. File early rather than expecting speed.
Is the information on this page guaranteed to be accurate?
We check what we publish against official sources where we can, and clearly flag anything still pending verification. Even so, visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice — so please treat this page as a strong starting point, not a final word, and confirm directly with the official source linked above before you book or fly.
Documents required
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond the intended stay
- DS-160 confirmation page with barcode, completed online at ceac.state.gov
- MRV fee payment receipt (needed before an interview can be scheduled)
- Interview appointment confirmation
- Photograph meeting US visa specifications
- Evidence of funds to cover the trip (bank statements, income evidence)
- Evidence of employment or studies
- Evidence of strong ties to your home country — the primary basis on which the officer decides
- Travel itinerary and details of where you will stay
- Invitation or sponsor documents, plus the sponsor's tax returns, where someone else is funding the visit
Before you travel — checklist
- Check your passport has enough remaining validity for your trip to United States — many countries require at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, even for visa-free entry.
- Start your visa application process well before your travel date — don't leave this until the last few days.
- Budget for the entry fee (US$185 (MRV application fee)) and check whether it needs to be paid in a specific currency or method.
- Check whether United States requires proof of onward or return travel — some border officers ask for this even when it isn't formally listed as a requirement.
- Consider travel insurance that covers your trip to United States, particularly if any medical or emergency evacuation coverage is required or advisable for the region.
- This page's details for United States are still pending full verification — confirm everything directly with an official government source before finalising your plans.
Visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice. This page reflects our best information as of 2026, but if you're reading this later than that, treat it as a starting point rather than the final word, and always confirm with the official source above before you travel.