Denied entry
In the case of a traveler who has been denied entry into the United States by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, he/she should bring a copy of the report of the incident, Form I-877, to the visa interview.
Deportation or Removed
A person who has been deported or removed, may be prohibited from reapplying for a visa depending on the circumstances for up to ten years. In certain cases a waiver of this ineligibility may be available.
Overstays
If you have overstayed on the Visa Waiver program (VWP) or violated the terms of a previously issued U.S. visa, you will be refused entry to the United States unless you apply for a visa with full details of your overstay prior to subsequent entry. Violating the terms of the Visa Waiver Program or previously issued U.S. visa can render an individual ineligible for a visa and a waiver of this ineligibility may be required.
What if I’m found ineligible for a visa?
If the applicant is found ineligible for a visa, he/she will be advised whether or not a waiver of ineligibility is available from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Please note: The application will take approximately 8 weeks to process, therefore, applicants should apply for visas well before the anticipated date of travel. The processing times quoted are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. It is important that you keep this in mind when applying for the visa. It will not be possible to expedite a case simply because an applicant has not allowed sufficient time for the application to be processed.
Reminder: No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.
Required Documents
Come to the Embassy on the day of your interview. Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before your interview time and be aware of our security requirements. Please bring the following documents:
- Your passport
- DS-160 Confirmation Page (see the example, JPG, 166 kB)
- Appointment Confirmation Page (see the example, JPG, 197 kB)
- One 2 x 2 inches (51 mm x 51 mm) photo on a white background (see Photo Requirements)
Recommended Documents
You may also wish to bring any of the recommended documents listed below:
- Bank statements for the last 3 months
- Letter of Employment
- Invitation letter from the US business or individual you will be visiting
- Copy of transcripts and confirmation of studies for students
- Business registration documents for business owners
- Marriage certificates for couples; birth certificates if a child is applying for a visa
- Petitions and supporting documents for certain work visas
Depending upon the type of visa you are applying for, there will be additional required documents.