Tag Archives: Visa

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Interior, has launched the online passport application portal to allow Nigerians to apply for their passport seamlessly.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had announced in December that the FG was working to ensure a fully automated system of passport application in the country.

At the time, the minister said the automated application system was “99 per cent done,” adding that the process would include uploading passport photos and supporting documents.

He noted that Nigerian applicants who want 32-page passports with five-year validity would pay N35,000, while those who want 64-page passports with a 10-year validity would pay N70,000.

Meanwhile, foreign applicants, who wish to apply for passports with a five-year validity period and 32 pages, will pay $130, while those who prefer passports with a 10-year validity period and 64 pages will pay $230.

How to Apply for Your Nigerian Passport Online

To apply online, follow the steps below:

1. Visit the online application portal http://passport.immigration.gov.ng.
2. Click on “Apply for Fresh Passport” (for new applicants)
3. Enter your NIN and date of birth and complete other required data
4. Upload your passport photograph and other supporting documents.
5. Visit the closest Immigration Office for your biometric capture.
6. Within two weeks, your passport will be ready for collection.

For fresh applicants,

1. You must be a Nigerian
2. You must have NIN
3. Have a passport photograph that meets ICAO standards
4. Have your documents such as birth certificate, local government certificate of origin, and other documents ready

How to Renew Your Nigeria Passport Online:

1. You must have NIN
2. Have an old passport number
3. Have a passport photograph that meets ICAO standards.
4. Have your documents such as birth certificate, local government certificate of origin, and other documents ready.

All Citizens of Nigeria either by Birth, Descent, Adoption, Registration or Naturalization are eligible for a Nigerian Passport, provided they satisfy all conditions prescribed by law.

Credit to: Punchng

The U.S Department of State announced major changes to the Visa interview waiver policy in 2024. If you plan to study or work in the U.S or just visit, you need to hear this.

In this guide, you will learn what the announcement means and how it may affect you. This informative guide simplifies the recent changes to the 2024 Visa Interview Waiver Program, a crucial update for those looking to study, work, or reside in the USA.

This guide breaks down the new eligibility criteria, the application process, and what these changes mean for applicants. Whether renewing your visa or applying for the first time under this program, this comprehensive guide simplifies the process, ensuring you’re fully informed and prepared.

USA Visa Interview Waiver Policy Updates for 2024

After consulting the Department of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State has determined that select categories of interview waivers are in the national interest. The policy applies to U.S non-immigrant visas.

These are visas issued to temporary visitors to the USA. The most common non-immigrant visas are:

• B1 and V2 visas for business, visitors, and tourists,
• F and M visas for students, and
• H visas for various workers.

There are many non-immigrant categories, but it won’t be listed to keep this guide short. Remember, the policy applies to all non-immigrant categories, unless noted.

Let’s review the rules quickly and break them down for different visa categories.

The changes are implemented by the consular officers, who now have the authority and discretion to waive the in-person interview. This means that the visa officers are deciding whether to waive your visa interview based on the guidelines we’re about to review.

However, the key takeaway is that they can still request an applicant who meets the visa waiver category to come in for an in-person interview.

• Criteria 1: Apply in your country of nationality or residence.

This means you’re applying in your country of citizenship or where you currently reside. For example, someone could be a citizen of India but work and live in Frankfurt, Germany. They can apply in India or Germany to qualify.

• Criteria 2: You’ve never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived.

This means you’ve never been refused a visa or were initially rejected, but then approved later. For example, someone may have been denied on their first attempt, but have got their visa on their second attempt.

• Criteria 3: You have no apparent or potential eligibility.

This sounds vague, but what it really means is you don’t fall into select categories for which the U.S government doesn’t issue visas. These include individuals who may have criminal charges and may be a security risk or have violated immigration policies previously amongst others. This doesn’t apply to most cases.

On top of these three criteria, there are additional ones. Let’s review those in detail.

Remaining Criteria

• H-2 visa applicants.

You’re eligible for a visa waiver as long as you meet the first three criteria. For all other non-immigrant visa applicants, you must meet two additional criteria. They are:

You must have any U.S non-immigrant visa except a B visa. For example, you’ll qualify if you’re applying for an H-1B and have an F visa.

On the other hand, if you just have a B visa, you won’t qualify. For example, if you’re applying for an F1 visa and have a previous B1/B2 visa, you won’t be eligible for the interview waiver.

There is one slight nuance to it. Your last non-immigrant visa should be current or have expired no more than four years ago. This can get confusing, let’s take a look at three scenarios:

• If your last non-immigrant visa is active or has expired in 2021 or later, great news, you qualify.
• If your last non-immigrant visa has expired in 2019 or before, you don’t qualify.
• If your last non-immigrant visa expired in 2020, your expiration date should be after your potential visa appointment date.

For example, if your potential visa appointment date is on July first, 2024, your previous visa should not have expired before July first, 2020.

This cut-off date can get tricky, so if you fall into this category, you should put in your application immediately to improve your chances of qualifying for the interview waiver.

Also, it’s important to remember that the visa officers can still require you to come in. Finally, the US government can change this policy at any time. It’s likely to stick through the end of 2024.

That wraps up about the updates on the U.S visa interview waiver policy changes for 2024.

Some frequently asked questions about Visa Interview Waiver Policy Updates for 2024 and answers.

Question: Do you know if L1B (blanket petition) is also eligible for visa interview waiver in 2024?

Answer: It is a non-immigrant visa, so as long as applicants meet the criteria, they should qualify for an interview waiver.

Question: Is 352 days ban news true for refused f1 candidates?

Answer: This news is not official, check official website.

Disclaimer: This site is not owned by any U.S Government Agency or an Immigration attorney. The contents in the site is for informational purpose only, collected from various public domains. You may need to contact an Immigration Attorney for your specific immigration needs.

I hope this guide has been helpful to you. Thanks.

Germany unveils 21 pathways/categories to work, live or study in the country. This guide equips you with the knowledge to explore diverse pathways into Germany for work, study, family reunification, or visits.

Understanding requirements and following the application process is crucial to successfully move to Germany.

Embarking on a journey to Germany has diverse opportunities whether you aspire to study, work, reunite with family, or explore.

Germany Unveils 21 Visa categories to Work, Live or Study in the Country

In this guide, we will learn 21 pathways to study, work or live in Germany.

• Tourist Visa

This type of visa is ideal for short-term visits for tourism, business, or family reunions. The Schengen Visa grants access for up to 90 days (3 months) within 180 days.

• Student Visa

For this type of visa, applicants have to secure admission to a German university, demonstrate financial stability, and obtain health insurance.

The processing time for a Germany long-stay study visa may take from 6-12 weeks from the application day. While Germany short-stay study visas are usually decided within 15-30 days by the German missions abroad.

• Business Visa

A Germany Business visa is a short-stay Schengen visa, which permits its holder to enter and remain in Germany for up to 90 days within 6 months unless it is not specified differently in the visa sticker.

It is issued to people who come to Germany to perform business making, attend meetings, sign contracts, etc. This visa requires an invitation letter, proof of financial means, and health insurance.

• Work Visa

The German Work Visa allows you to work in regular employment in Germany. The visa can be applied for once you have received a formal job offer from an employer based in Germany.

It is often called the Employment Visa or Residence Permit for Employment. The applicant has to secure a job offer and meet the necessary qualifications.

• Job Seeker Visa

A German job seeker visa is a work visa issued to anyone who wants to find work in Germany. If you are granted this visa, you are allowed to stay in the country for several months, usually six, and find employment and afterwards apply for a work permit and remain in Germany long-term.

Please note that if you already have found employment and have a valid contract, you do not need to apply for a job seeker visa; you can apply for a work visa directly.

Explore career opportunities with this visa, by showcasing your qualifications and seeking potential employment.

• Family Reunification Visa

The German Family Reunion visa is a German long stay visa that is issued for the purpose of bringing family members of German residents to Germany. Reunite with family by providing proof of relationship and financial stability.

• EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is the main residence permit for university graduates from abroad. It is a simple and unbureaucratic procedure geared to third-country nationals keen to put their talents to use in Germany.

Designed for highly skilled workers outside the EU, this card requires a job offer, recognized degree, and passion for your field.

You cannot use the German Blue Card to work somewhere else in Europe. You will have to apply for the EU Blue Card for that other country, provided that you find a job and meet the criteria.

You can apply for an EU Blue Card in another country after you have already worked for 18 months in Germany.

• Au Pair Visa

This visa enabled you to immerse yourself in German life, providing childcare and cultural exchange with a host family.

The duration of the au pair placement must be for at least 6 months. As soon as the visa has been issued, the au pair may travel to Germany. The processing time required for the visa application can vary from 6 weeks up to 3 months time.

• Freelance Visa

The freelance visa enables one to pursue entrepreneurial ventures or freelance work by crafting a detailed business plan and highlighting your skills.

In order to get a German freelance visa, you must prove that there is an economic interest or a regional need for your services. In your business plan, you must highlight how you plan to find work and grow your business.

You must typically submit the application for a freelance visa at the German Embassy or Consulate in the country where you currently live.

• Visa for Medical Treatment

You can access healthcare by presenting medical certificates and proof of financial means when applying at the embassy.

• Guest Scientist Visa

Contribute to research projects with an invitation, proof of qualifications, and financial means.

• Language Course Visa

To promote the German language, Germany is offering this visa category to enhance German language skills through enrollment in a language school, accommodation arrangements, and financial stability.

• Blue Card for IT Specialists

For IT specialists, this pathway requires a job offer, a recognized degree, and technological expertise.

• Cultural/Artist Visa

You can demonstrate your artistic talents by applying for a visa under this category with an invitation, proof of artistic activities, and financial stability.

• Job Seeker Visa for Graduate

Recent graduates can extend their stay, transitioning from academia to the professional world.

• Training/Internship Visa

You can gain hands-on experience with an Ausbildung contract, internship agreement, and proof of accommodation.

• Visa for Visiting Family Members of EU/EEA Citizens

Visa applicants who wish to visit their families can do so with evidence of their relationship to them and the EU/EEA citizen’s residence.

• Visa for Fellowship

This visa enables applicants to attend academic fellowships with a short-term visa based on fellowship type.

• Ausbildung or Apprenticeship Visa

This visa is popular for non-EU nationals seeking vocational training.

• Investor Visa

This visa highlights special privileges for investors.

• FSJ (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr) or Voluntary Work Visa 

A transformative experience for young individuals contributing to social causes.

General Requirements

• Valid Passport and Photos: Ensure a valid passport for at least six months beyond the planned departure date with passport-sized photos.
• Complete Application Form: Accurately fill out the visa application form, providing all requested information.
• Travel Health Insurance: Obtain coverage for unexpected medical expenses during your stay.
• Proof of Accommodation: Provide evidence of accommodation arrangements in Germany.
• Financial Stability: Submit recent bank statements or financial documents demonstrating the ability to support yourself.
• Travel Itinerary: Include a detailed plan of activities and destinations in Germany.
• Flight Reservations: Present confirmed flight reservations indicating intent to travel and return within the specified visa period.
• Consulate Interview: Be prepared for a consulate interview if required.

Disclaimer: This site is not owned by any German Government Agency or an Immigration attorney. The contents in the site is for informational purpose only, collected from various public domains. You may need to contact an Immigration Attorney for your specific immigration needs.

I hope this guide has been helpful to you. Thanks.

Visa Application Gets Denied: Imagine you go in for your visa interview and after all that preparation, the consular officer or the immigration officer overseeing your visa interview and your visa application ultimately denies the case. What do you do?

Well, that’s what this guide will talk about. So make sure you read it very well from beginning to end.

What should you do in the unfortunate event that your visa application ultimately gets denied?

The first thing that you should know is that generally when a visa gets denied, the recourse that you have is basically to reapply.

Ultimately, when you reapply, it’s imperative to know what you need to do to improve your application, and in order to know that, you need to know why the application was originally denied.

Was the application denied because the immigration officer felt that you did not satisfy one of the requirements?

For example, for a visitor visa, you are required to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. You have to satisfactorily convince the immigration officer that you are not an intending immigrant to the United States and that you truly plan to just visit the United States.

So was your visa application denied because you didn’t successfully do that? Or did the consular officer determine that you’re ineligible or you’re inadmissible to the United States for some reason?

For example, maybe you had a prior issue with overstaying a visa in the past and now you might be subject to some sort of bar from reentering the United States. Is that the case?

It’s very important for you to understand ultimately what the reason was why the visa application got denied? Because as I mentioned, your recourse is essentially to reapply.

When you’re reapplying you need to know what you need to fix with the application, is it just presenting some documentation more strongly or is it something entirely different?

For example, in the example mentioned above where there was an issue with a prior overstay, do you need to apply for some sort of a waiver to overcome that grounds for inadmissibility? All of this comes down to what the basis was for the denial.

Oftentimes when an immigration officer will deny a case, they may provide you with some sort of documentation that specifies the grounds for the denial, but sometimes they won’t, and that’s where it’s beneficial for you, depending on the circumstances, to ask the immigration officer to elaborate on the basis for the denial, so that ultimately you have a better understanding and you can communicate that with your immigration lawyer to develop a game plan for reapplying.

Also, to better understand whether it makes sense to reapply for this particular visa or if there’s potentially another visa that might be more suitable for you.

So there you have it.

If the visa gets denied:

• make sure to understand why the visa got denied;
• strategize with your immigration lawyer to determine whether it makes sense to reapply for this visa, whether you’re going to be required to apply for a waiver of some kind, whether it makes sense to apply for another visa or a different sort of immigration benefit and ultimately go from there.

Hope you found this information helpful.

United Arab Emirates Lifts Visa Ban: The United Arab Emirates, on Monday (11th September, 2023), lifted its months-long visa ban on Nigerians. Also, Etihad and Emirates Airlines will resume flight operations in Nigeria immediately.

“President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, finalised a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.

“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay,” the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed in a statement he signed Monday, 11 September, 2023.

In October 2022, the UAE banned nationals of about 20 African countries from entering its borders.

“This is to inform you that we will not be posting 30 days visa applications for these nationalities effective today, October 18, 2022,” the notice partly read.

Affected countries include Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, and the Dominican Republic.

The Opportunity Card is designed to make it easier for skilled workers from outside the EU to immigrate to Germany and find a job. You can apply for the Opportunity Card at the relevant German mission abroad in your country of origin (for example, at the German Embassy or German Consulate). If you are already in Germany, simply submit the application to the relevant local Foreigners’ Registration Office. Use your professional training to immigrate to Germany.

The Opportunity Card in Germany allows a period of residence of one year. An extension is possible by up to two years under certain circumstances. If you have already held the Opportunity Card but left Germany thereafter, you can apply again (after a break of at least one year). You do not have to have a job offer or an employment contract or a family relationship.

Announcement of Opportunity Card visa in Germany

Germany’s parliament has passed legislation to open up new opportunities for job seekers from countries outside the EU. This change to their immigration law is called an “opportunity card”. The German Parliament, on Friday (June 23rd 2023) announced a change in their immigration laws allowing non-EU immigrants without jobs to come to Germany and be given a year to find employment.

The German Bundestag passed this legislation to open up new opportunities for job seekers from countries outside the EU. This is designed to encourage more people from outside the European Union to come to Germany for work.

According to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), “this draft law secures prosperity in Germany,” she said as she presented the government’s plan in the chamber in the morning, though she added that it would only work if the bureaucratic hurdles were dismantled during its implementation. “It’s unacceptable that you have to fill in 17 different applications to bring a new care worker into the country,” she said.

A prerequisite for receiving a card will be a vocational qualification or university degree. The cards will be awarded to those who fulfill a certain number of conditions, for which they will be awarded points. These could be German and/or English language skills, existing ties to Germany, and the potential of accompanying life partners or spouses on the German labor market. The opportunity card will also permit casual work for up to 20 hours a week while looking for a qualified job, as well as probationary employment.

Eligibility and Requirement for the Opportunity Card in Germany

Every year, quotas will be set depending on which industries need workers. To be eligible for the Opportunity Card, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have a vocational qualification or university degree that is recognized in Germany.
• You must have a good command of the German or English language (German A1 or English B2).
• You must have enough money to support yourself for one year. You can also prove this by means of an employment contract for a part-time job (up to 20 hours per week), for example.
• You must not have a criminal record.
• Applicants should carry appropriate proof (employment references, certificates) with them.

Integrating refugees

Those who are awaiting asylum approval, and got their application in by March 29, 2023, have the appropriate qualifications, and a job offer and will also be permitted to join the labor market. This would also allow them to enter vocational training.

A similar change holds for those here on a tourist visa. They will not be required to first leave the country, before returning in an employment context.

Recognition of degrees

A major obstacle to immigration has long been the requirement to have degrees recognized in Germany. In the future, skilled immigrants will no longer have to have their degrees recognized in Germany if they can show they have at least two years of professional experience and a degree that is state-recognized in their country of origin. Someone who already has a job offer can already come to Germany and start working while their degree is still being recognized.

What skilled workers does Germany really need

• Germany’s shortage of skilled workers is most pronounced in health, social care, nursing, engineering and education. In these fields, an average of 60 per cent of roles lack suitably qualified applicants.
• Train drivers and people who control and monitor traffic on the rails are currently being sought.
• There is also a lack of education workers, social workers, preschool teachers.
• The biggest hole is for elderly and nursing care workers.
• The metal and electrical trades, there is not only a lack of skilled workers there is also a need for more experts and people with university degrees.

Benefits Working with the Opportunity Card in Germany

• Easy, fast and legal entry to Germany.
• Securing your livelihood with a Good Income.
• Possibility of permanent residence in Germany.
• Immediate work permit after successful application.
• The Opportunity Card makes it easier for candidates to find work in Germany.
• It enables applicants to work in Germany without a lengthy recognition procedure.

How to Apply for Opportunity Card in Germany

You can apply for the Opportunity Card at the competent German mission abroad in your country of origin. To do so, you must fill out an application and hold a valid passport. You must also have proof of your education, language skills, previous stays etc. The points-based system will take into account professional experience, age and ties to Germany.

Opportunity Card Germany Launch Date: June 1st, 2024.

It can take several weeks or months from the time you apply to the relevant Foreigners’ Registration Office or the German mission abroad in your country of origin until you are granted a residence permit in Germany with the Opportunity Card. The German authorities undertake to process the permit as quickly as possible and to check your documents as soon as possible.

Currently, most non-EU citizens need to have a job offer before they can relocate to Germany. A visa for job seekers already exists, but the ‘chancenkarte’ is expected to make it easier and faster for people looking to find work in Germany.

Most Common Reason for Visa Denials and How to Avoid This: In this guide, we will learn the most common reason why visa applications to the United States get denied. Those applying for a U.S Visa, make sure you read this guide to the end.

Most Common Reason for U.S Visa Denials and How to Avoid This

Below is one of the most common reasons why visa applications to the United States get denied and tip to avoid it.

For many nonimmigrant visas to the U.S, such as for visitor visas, student visas and even many work visas that are nonimmigrant visas to the U.S, they have a requirement that the applicant for that visa has something called nonimmigrant intent.

What nonimmigrant intent means is that the applicant for that visa intends to return to their home country. They do not intend to remain in the United States permanently.

If an applicant for one of these non-immigrant visas does not satisfy the consular officer at the time of their visa appointment that they have nonimmigrant intent, then that consular officer, that immigration officer at the consulate will likely deny the visa application for something called 214(B).

214(B) essentially means that the visa applicant did not sufficiently convince the immigration officer that they possess nonimmigrant intent.

It could be that the immigration officer is not convinced that the applicant will return to their home country or potentially the immigration officer thinks that the applicant for the particular nonimmigrant visa will be remaining in the United States or something along those lines.

That’s a big picture overview of 214(B). It’s a highly common reason for nonimmigrant visa denials.

You might be wondering, how can I avoid a 214(B) denial?

The answer is that you want to show strong ties to your home country. What are some examples of strong ties to your home country?

Example 1: Is that you own property in your home country.

For example, you own a home or you own an investment property.

Example 2: Is that if you have family in your home country.

For example, if you have a spouse and children in your home country.

Example 3: Is if you have a business in your home country or you have a job in your home country.

In each of these scenarios or with each of these examples, you’re showing a link between yourself and your home country, where it would be unlikely for you to just leave whatever it is that you have going on in your home country and come to the United States permanently.

All of those examples a job, property, family, are things that tie you to your home country that make it less likely that you would give that up or leave that behind and move to the United States.

Again, one of the best ways to avoid a 214(B) denial is to demonstrate strong ties to your home country.

Visitor visas

Visitor visas regularly have denials under 214(B). How can you overcome these denials? Again, one way is to show strong ties to your home country.

In addition to showing strong ties to your home country, you also want to show a definitive purpose for coming to the United States.

What are some examples of a specific purpose for coming to the United States?

For example, if someone was coming to do a medical procedure, or someone was coming to attend a seminar of some kind, or a business conference, or to potentially negotiate a contract, or to go sightseeing. These are all specific reasons for coming to the United States.

The more that you can show the immigration officer that you have all these strong ties to your home country, and on top of that, you have a specific, limited purpose for coming to the United States, something that’s definite in duration or that’s limited in duration.

These two can work together to really create a strong impression before the consular officer that you’re not planning on coming to the United States to remain permanently.

You’re coming for a specific reason, and you certainly are going to return to your home country because of all those strong ties that you have there.

In summary

This guide talked about one of the most common reasons for nonimmigrant visa denials, 214(B) and some ways that can help strengthen your case to avoid denials under 214(B).

I hope you found this guide (Most Common Reason for Visa Denials and How to Avoid This) extremely helpful. Thank you so much for reading it.

If you know anybody that can benefit from this information, please make sure to share this guide with them. We’re all about empowering each other with knowledge.

DISCLAIMER: This post/guide and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. This site is not offering any legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should seek the advice of an attorney in your jurisdiction before taking any legal action.

The information presented in this post/guide should not be construed to be formal legal advice.

In this guide, you we will learn 5 visa application mistakes to avoid. These are the mistakes that may lead to your VISA denial. Avoid these mistakes, and your U.S VISAS (B1/B2, F1) will be approved.

Many people get their visas refused because they make avoidable mistakes. Below are some important things we need to avoid and what we need to do to get our visa approved and overcome multiple visa rejections.

5 visa application mistakes to avoid

1. Information mismatch

Your visa can be rejected because the information you provided on the DS-160 form do not match with what you give as a response in the interview room. For example, on the DS-160 form, there is a question, who is paying for the trip?

If you select self and during the interview you are asked who is sponsoring your trip? And you say your uncle or your sister or your parent or whoever that is not you, it is going to affect your visa approval.

Many people think that on the DS-160 form, when they ask them who is paying for the trip, they are asking of flight tickets. So they put self on the DS-160 form and when they go for the interview they show a different bank statement that is not even for them.

When you do that, your visa can be rejected.

If you are going for B1/B2 visa, make sure that whoever is sponsoring you is what you put on the DS-160. If you are going for F1 visa as a student, make sure that whatever you put on your DS-160 form as your sponsor matches with whoever is your sponsor on your I-20 and the information you give during the interview.

Another mistake with regards to mismatch of information is, on the DS-160 form there is a question about length of stay in the United States. If you choose three weeks, it means that you are going to stay in the United States for three weeks.

You get to the interview room and they ask you how long will you be staying? And you say you’ll be staying for two weeks or two months. That is a mismatch of information and it is going to affect your vessel approval.

Make sure that the information you put on the DS-160 form will match with the responses you gave during the interview. This is a very common mistake that affects a lot of people and affect their visa approval.

2. Lack of strong purpose of Travel

When you appear for the interview, the first question they usually ask is your purpose of traveling to the United States? Mind you, whatever answer you give will determine the follow up questions and the flow of the interview from them.

If you are not able to give a very strong and clear reason for your travel, you won’t get your visa.

It’s not just enough to say I am going to the U.S to visit my friend or family, speak to why you are going to visit them and why you need to visit them.

Maybe you are going because your sister is doing her wedding and it’s been a long time you met your sister and as a family member, you need to be there as part of your tradition. You must be part of your sister’s wedding.

If you are a student, it is not enough to say you are going to U.S or you are going to this school to study, speak to why you need that program and why you even selected that school in U.S.

Speak to the why because why is very important than just giving a flat answer.

If you are going for a conference, speak to why you are going for a conference. It is not just I am going to the U.S to attend a conference, no.

Say: “I am going to the U.S to attend a conference, and this is because, as part of my work requirements, I am required to attend this conference for my promotion, or I am required to attend this conference to learn the skills or to report this or that to the board members of the organization.

I am required to attend this conference in order to acquire the knowledge, skills and bring it back for the organization.”

It is not just enough to say I am going for a conference, speak to the why.

There are a lot of people who want to go to the United States, so your raising must be unique, your raising must be different, your raising must come out and it must show to the consular that you really need to come to the United States for your studies, for your visit or for your conference.

It is very important get a clear purpose and a strong reason for your travel.

3. Incomplete details and errors on DS-160 form.

The DS-160 form is your visa application form that has all your details for your visa approval. It is a very important document in the application process.

You must always make sure that you respond to all the questions on the DS-160 form correctly, and you must avoid any error, be it spelling or typo errors on the DS-160 form.

Also, information you put on the DS-160 form must agree with the story you tell at the embassy. You must always make sure you can defend any information that you put on the DS-160 form.

If someone fills your DS-160 form for you, make sure you go through every bit of it yourself been submitted.

When you make errors or when you don’t complete the DS-160 form in the way that you should, it leaves a red flag even on your profile and the visa’s officers do not have time to spend and ask you why this or why that. Because a lot of people are in the queue and they may flag you out and they give you the denial.

All the time they will give you the 214(b) paper telling you that you did not prove your ties back home. No, there are sometimes the reason does not have to do with ties back home, it has to do with your DS-160 form.

You must always correct it. Always make sure you know what is being put there. You know why you are putting this there. You can defend it. You avoid errors in your name, you avoid typing mistakes, you avoid spelling error and you write good and clear English.

4. Lack of ties to home country

This is one of the popular reasons for visa rejection. You must always, all the time make the consular believe that you will come back after your trip to the U.S or after your studies. Do not expect the consular to ask you if you will come back or not.

So make sure that in every question that they ask you, you connected to your ties back home. It is always important to get a good reason to convince the consular that you will come back after your trip or after your studies.

Mind you, they will not ask you. It is not all the time that they will ask whether you come back or not. Don’t expect them to ask you before you say it. Show it, prove it. Let them move through your response.

5. Don’t prepare with internet questions and answers by copying them

It is always good to prepare before you go for your interview. For example, watching videos on youtube and reading around to get a general overview about how some questions are being asked and how people answer them.

But let these always guide you. Always let your unique self and story show in the responses you give to the consular. So do not copy answers that people give for yourself.

However, speak to your own story and uniqueness. When you copy answers given by others, it may not speak to your story and make you unique and that will affect your visa approval.

The consular hear a lot of these responses. What is unique about yours?

Don’t just copy answers people give on the internet. Copy suggested answers for yourself. Let it guide you and help you to form and shape your own answers that meets your unique situations and stories for your visa interview.

Thank you so much for reading this guide (5 visa application mistakes to avoid).

What are the most important questions you must prepare for if you are going for U.S Visa interview? In this guide, you will learn the most important questions you should expect and prepare to answer at the U.S F1 Visa interview. If you understand what the consular expect from you, you can prepare well to prove that you deserve the visa.

This guide has been breaked down into three parts to let you understand what the consular expects from you at the interview, in order to prepare payroll and prove that you deserve the visa.

Questions You Must Look Out For In Your U.S F1 Visa Interview

The first thing you must understand is that irrespective of who you are, when you appear for your interview, the impression is that you are a potential immigrant.

That means, although you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa, a visa that allows you to stay temporary in the United States, the presumption is that you would want to stay permanently.

The interview is the opportunity for the consular to assess the purpose and your intent for traveling into the United States. Below are U.S F1 visa interview questions and guides to answer them:

1. Why are you traveling to the United States?

The consular would like to assess your reason for traveling to study in the United States. They want to know whether you are not using studies as an excuse to migrate to the United States.

Here, they will be asking questions that has to do with you, who you are, your academic background, your family background, whether you are married or you are in a relationship, whether you are gainfully employed or not.

It is important because through these questions, the consular will be able to assess your purpose for traveling.

For example, if you are a person who is gainfully employed in your current country, you earn enough money and assuming, let’s say, you are employed as an accountant and you are going to study for MBA.

The consular can based on your current employment, and know that you are not ideal in your country and know that you are getting reasonable income to sustain yourself. You are not somebody who is desperate to travel to go and stay in the United States.

The console will able to know that your purpose of traveling is purely for studies, that you are going to study in order to come back to enrich yourself and your current position in the organization.

Don’t go to the embassy and say you are not employed. Even if you are not employed, explain to them that you are involved into a voluntary service. It could be a national service, it could be a service you have with an organization, with a firm. It could be a teaching opportunity you are volunteering.

When you are unemployed the consular believe there is high possibility for you not to come back. But when you are able to explain to them that you are involved in a voluntary work, it means that you are not idle, you have plans, and you make good use of your time to help society.

Also, prepare to answer questions about your academic background, what you did in your undergraduate studies, in your senior high school or even in your graduate studies, and why your studies in America will be relevant to your academic surface.

In your U.S F1 visa interview, you may asked questions like this:

• How old are you?
• Are you married?
• What do you do?

These are questions you must prepare for.

You must be prepared to answer questions and explain how your current state in life is not an opportunity for you to travel, just to go and stay in the United States.

This is where you prove to them that you are working, you have a family, that you studied a particular course, and you are going to study in order to come back to help your society.

2. How can you finance your studies?

This is another visa interview question you must prepare for and is very important area. You must prepare to answer questions about who is sponsoring you, what is the relationship between you and the person and why is the person sponsoring you? What is the annual income of the person? What job does the person do?

The consular want to assess whether you have the financial capabilities to go and study in the United States, the ability for you to sustain yourself, especially in your first year in the United States.

They would want to know who your sponsor is, what kind of job your sponsor does, and why your sponsor is sponsoring you. It’s not just enough to show bank statements. It is important to prove to the consular about the work or the occupation of the person sponsoring you, because it is the work of the person that can convince the consular that indeed he or she can sponsor you.

If you claim your father is sponsoring you, be prepared to answer questions such as; how much does your father earn at the end of every year or monthly? What kind of job does your father do? Why is your father spending so much? Why is the sponsor spending so much money to take care of you?

There are times, if an organization is sponsoring you, they go ahead to ask you the number of employees the organization has employed, how long you have been working with them, and why the organization is sponsoring you.

It is not enough to prove bank statements, but it is important to prove that the person who owns the bank statement has enough cash flow from relevant work or occupation.

It is important you prepare around this area because proving your financial capability to support your studies is one of the most important reasons that your visa will be approved or denied.

3. What are your plans after school?

This is another question you must prepare for. As you go for your interview, the consular will want to know your long-term plan after school, and it is based on your plan that will help the consular to determine whether you would overstay or you would return when you are done with your studies.

Even if you have plans of pursuing PhD after your Masters or whatever degree you are pursuing, don’t tell the consular that after getting your Master’s you would want to do your PhD, no. Tell the consular that after getting your Masters, you would come back to your country to other things.

If possible, prove to him or her that you have an organization, you have even a certain letter already. It is an added advantage. Don’t worry if you don’t have that. All that is important is that you prove to the consular that at the end of the day, you have a long term plan that is connected to you coming back to your country to give back to your society.

If you are not able to answer these three questions, your visa will not be approved. Just bear in mind that you must be able to convince the consular about this three line of questions. Even if you fail in one, your visa may be rejected.

4. Why must I give you this Visa?

This is where you explain your career goal and why studying in America will help you achieve your career goals and give back to the society.

I hope that these tips will help you and give you the needed information that you need to prepare for your U.S F1 visa interview.

This guide is going to talk about Spring 2023 Visa updates. In this guide, you will learn all that you need to do to get your U.S (F1, J1) student visa approved for your Spring 2023 term.

Many have deferred their program to the spring term. There are some who have their Visa rejected, as a result, your program was deferred. Some people have just gotten admission and have not gotten a date, they had to reschedule or defend their program to the spring term.

How to get your U.S Student visa approved in the spring 2023 term

1. Get A New I-20.

The first thing you need to do if you’re going for Spring 2023 is to get an updated I-20. If you have gone for a Visa interview recently and you have been refused and as a result you defend your program to Spring, you will need a new I-20.

If you just got admission or admitted into a school that is starting in the Spring, you will also need a new I-20.

Also, if you didn’t get a visa date for the fourth term and you have deferred to Spring 2023, you also need a new I-20. So no matter your situation, you need a new I 20.

Those that have gotten their visas, you need to get a new I-20. You don’t need a new visa because you already have a visa approved. You can enter U.S with your already approved visa, but you will have to update your I-20.

How to get a new I-20

Your school will have to issue you a new I-20 that comes with a new start date that will reflect the Spring 2023 term.

If you don’t do this, if you go for the visa interview, you’ll be rejected. If you don’t do this, if you come to the U.S at the port of entry, you will be denied entry because your I-20 will be outdated bearing the false start date.

Make sure you check with your school to get an updated I-20.

2. Update Your DS-160 Form

The next thing you need to do is to update your DS-160 form.

If you applied for a visa for full time and you didn’t get a visa date, so you have to defer. What it means is that, if you have your old DS-160 form, that old DS-160 form have some information that might be outdated.

For example, expected date of travel, when are you expecting to travel, and when are you expecting to complete your program?

Because you are getting a new I-20 form, which means that those dates will also be new. It is important to update this information on your DS-160. If you don’t do that, that may go against you.

If you have already submitted a DS-160 form, it means that you must fill a new one. Make sure to fill a new DS-160 form and also make sure that you will use the new DS-160 form code to update your profile on your profile.

After you have done that, print a new appointment confirmation. This is very, very important. If you don’t do that, you will have your old DS-160 form on your profile. You may be denied entry at the gate for the interview because your DS-160 form will have a different code and your appointment date will also have a different code. Make sure you correct that.

3. Get Visa Appointment Date.

The next thing you have to do is to make sure that you get a visa appointment date. Many people have dates that are beyond their program started, the embassy has begun opening some dates for people who are coming for the Spring 2023 term. Make sure to regularly check your profile to get a date.

You may also want to consider requesting for emergency appointments if you have not already done so. There are some laws, rules and regulations concerning when and how and what to do and what to use to apply for emergency appointments.

Those are the three things you need to do. After you have done all these three things, the next important thing is to prepare for your interview, and this is the most important aspect of the whole process.

A lot of people rush into the interview and they go and get denied. Getting a US visa approved always comes with a strategy. You must always have a strategy as to what is the best story for your situation. What is the best story that you can tell to convince the consular?

It is not about what you have, it is about convincing the consular. This is where preparation is key. Read this guide below, it will really help you pass your visa interview and get your U.S visa approved.

Read: 5 Things You Must Do In The Interview Room To Get Your U.S Visa Approved

Tip: As you are prepared for your Spring 2023 interview, the most important thing you have to deal with is finances. Many students who have funded or who have good source of funding have a high chance of getting their business approved.

You must prove that indeed you have the funds to support yourself. Make sure that you are well clear about the sources of funding. Why is this person sponsoring you? What is the purpose? How are you connected to the person? How are you related and what is even the reason at all for the person to spend so much to sponsor you?

If you are on scholarship, that is fine.

Tip: How to answer the three visa important question

• Why did you choose this school/university?
• Who is funding you?
• What are your plans after school?

These are the updates on how to get your U.S Student Visa approved in the spring 2023 term.

Your attitude or behavior in the interview room can have an impact on your visa approval. In this guide, we will learn 5 things you must do in the Interview room to get your U.S Visa approved.

Lot of people who had good cases messed up during interview. Many people who had basically nothing but with a right attitude in the interview room, they had their visa approved.

This guide will teach you some of the basic things you must do inside the interview room in order to get your U.S visa approved.

5 Things You Must Do In The Interview Room To Get Your U.S Visa Approved

1. Properly Arrange All Your Documents.

The first thing you must do is to properly arrange and catalog your documents. This will help you to swiftly get access to any documents when asked for during your interview.

Usually, the embassy does not allow people to go inside the interview room with Bags. Get a clear file and arrange your documents in it, in a way that can be easily accessible.

Your passport must come first, followed by your I-20, your bank statement and sponsorship letter, your admission letter, certificate, CV and any documents that you want to carry.

Oftentimes, many people attract a lot of pressure for themselves during interviews because they were asked to show a certain document and they struggled to locate it. This can be worrying and delaying, so you must always try to avoid that, properly arrange and catalog all your documents.

2. Deal With All Your Doubt.

Many people enter the interview room as losers even before they are interviewed. They go for interview with so many doubts and misconceptions.

Many people sees the consulate and start having doubt in their mind. So they go for interviews with so much fear, these people enter the interview room with so much doubt.

The point is, everyone who goes for visa interview has a 50% chance of getting the visa and 50% chance of not getting the visa. So it is 50 50. Of course, we go for interview with different cases, but no one’s visa is guaranteed.

So why don’t you trust in that 50% chance of getting the visa? Instead of thinking about the negativity. Yes as humans, sometimes the negativity comes into our mind, but we shouldn’t dual much on that.

Also, there are some misconceptions that people take as long as they go for interview. Many people says that when you go for U.S visa interview, they have already decided the number of people they will give their visas, no matter what you do, you will not get the visa.

There are some people who also say that every day the embassy has specific number of visas the issue and when they reach that limit, everyone will be denied. These are all fallacies. So clear your doubts and be hopeful. Just do your best and leave the rest to God.

3. Focus and keep your calm.

Sometimes while in the queue waiting to be interviewed, we see and hear our friends being interviewed, being rejected and some being approved. This kind of things put pressure on us.

There are some people who say to themselves, I want to go to this consular, I wish I can get this woman, this man is really rejecting people, I want to avoid him. Some of these things can affect your focus and it can really distract you, stay focused.

Assuming you have seen a certain consular rejecting people, if you don’t take care and you go to that consular, you may mess up.

Don’t allow the rejection or approval of someone in front of you or someone being interviewed before you, affect the way you approach yours. Keep focus and be calm.

4. Smile and keep eye contact.

This is the most important thing, Smile and keep an eye contact. Whenever you are answering your questions at the interview, try to give a soft smile, let it be natural, let it be engaging. Don’t try to be too hated, don’t try to be too serious.

Don’t try to be sharp and don’t try to be anxious. Try to be yourself. Don’t go and give fake smile.

Also, when you are giving responses, keep an eye contact. Usually, in America people believe that when you cannot look them in their eyes and talk, it means you are not honest or you are lying about that thing you are talking about.

So it is important to keep an eye contact and give a soft smile, don’t think it, let it be natural.

5. Be Smart and don’t talk too much.

It is important to be aware that there are times you may be asked a question that you have no idea about or a question may be put to you in a way that will get you confused. Don’t worry. Try to be smart at that time.

Always, it is the smartest people who get their visa approved. Avoid talking too much. Always be brief and specific. Don’t forget to keep your confidence moderate. Don’t be overconfident or under-confident. Try to be yourself. It is not about life and death matter.

Don’t enter the interview room with the mindset that I must get this visa by all means and at all costs. Of course, that is what we all expect. But sometimes go into the interview room well relaxed and expecting all possibilities.

When you do that, it makes you relaxed, it makes you comfortable and it releases some tension of you, and that can go a long way in helping you in articulating your point.

I hope you will find this information useful. Thank you so much for reading this guide.

I wish you all the best as you go for your interview.

DISCLAIMER: This post and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this post should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.

In this guide we will learn those documents required for B1/B2 U.S Visa Interview. All the B1/B2 documents checklist for U.S Visa Interview, that will make you successful.

B1/B2 visas are temporary visits that allow you to travel to the United States for visit, for tourism, for conference, for funerals, for graduation, for medication, for business meetings and so on. If you are applying to travel to U.S for any of these categories, you will need B1/B2 Visa.

Documents Required for B1/B2 U.S Visa Interview

If you are preparing for your U.S Visa Interview, make sure to check these B1/B2 documents checklist which have grouped this into two-part, primary documents and secondary documents checklist for B1/B2 visa applications.

Primary documents checklist for B1/B2 visa applications

Below are the primary document that you will need for B1/B2 visa.

1. Passport

You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months.

2. DS160 Confirmation Page

When you filled out and submitted your visa application form, you receive a confirmation of submission. You must always print this page and add it to your documents.

3. Visa Fee Receipt

You should always go with your visa application fee payment receipt.

4. Photo

You must upload this photo during your application, but if you are unable to do so, you must get copies or hard copies of these photos with you when you are going for your interview.

Even if you were able to upload your photo during your application form, make sure you take some photos with you when you are going for your interview.

Secondary documents checklist for B1/B2 visa applications

Supporting documents are documents that you will need to prove your purpose of travel to the United States, your financial support, and your ties back home. Below are this document:

1. Documents for purpose of traveling

(i) Invitation Letter: For purpose of travel, we are talking about invitation letters from the person you are going to visit. If it is a conference, you will still need an invitation letter from the organizers of the conference.

(ii) You will need an itinerary: This is a list of your activities in the United States. If you are going for a visit, you can type and print all the places you would want to visit and add it to your documents. If you are going for a conference, you will need a brochure or the program outline of the conference.

(iii) Accommodation reservation: This details where you will stay while in the United States. Usually this should be part of your invitation letter. But if you are going for your own tourists, assuming no one is inviting or you are not going for a conference and you are going for your own vacation and tourist, you will need a hotel reservation.

(iv) Photo I.D of Invitee: The next document is photo ID of the person you are visiting. If the person you are visiting is a U.S Citizen, you will need his/her ID page of his/her passport.

If the person is a green card holder, you need a photocopy or scanned copy of his green card front and back. Or if the person is in U.S on a visa, like an F1 visa, you are coming for graduation, you will need a passport ID page and the visa page of the person you are visiting.

2. Financial Support Documents

Financial support documents are documents that prove your ability to support your trip. These documents are:

• Bank statements, if you are sponsoring yourself
• An affidavit of support, if your sponsor is in the U.S.
• Letters of sponsorship, if you are going for a conference and any means of proof of funds that you have document to prove.

3. Documents to prove home ties

These are documents that will show that you will come back after your visit or your conference in the United States. Below are the documents:

• Employment letters, if you are employed, you need your employment letter.
• Leave letter i.e a letter from your employer or organization stating that you are on leave and you are using that leave for your visit in the U.S or you are going for a conference.
• School letter: You will also need letters from schools or school registration documents, if you are a student.
• Business or financial documents: You will need businesses and financial documents to prove your asset and your ties back home.

Sometimes you also need some family documents such as marriage certificates and pictures. Also, remember to include any other documents you believe can help your case.

This guide has answered the question, what document should I bring to a US B1 B2 visa interview? Because this is all the documents you need for your B1/B2 visa application. Always remember to prepare well to go for your interview.

DISCLAIMER: This post and content is designed for general information and educational purposes only, and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this post should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.

Tourist visa is a visa that allows you to visit a country for a short time on holiday. If you have a valid U.S tourist visa or one that expired within the last four years, you may be able to renew it by mail.

Tourism is an integral part of economic development across the world. However, most people traveling to foreign countries need to apply for a tourist visa.

What Is a Tourist Visa?

Tourist visas are official travel documents issued to foreign visitors for leisure purposes. For example, if you are from Ghana and want to visit the U.S, you need to apply for a tourist visa. Every country regulates its visa policy for tourists, and their corresponding embassies and consulates will help you obtain a visa for short-term visits.

B2 visitor visa can also be referred to as Tourist visa. B-2 visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons traveling to United States temporarily for tourism, pleasure or visiting.

A foreign national traveling to the United States for tourism needs a visitor visa (B-2) unless qualifying for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. Tourism is a short visit for vacation, for visiting family and friends, or for medical treatment.

How to renew tourist visa by mail

According to U.S Embassy Ghana verified twitter account:

“More good visa news! If you have a valid tourist visa or one that expired within the last four years, you may be able to renew it by mail. That takes less than a month. To see if you qualify, visit: https://bit.ly/InterviewWaiver”

The above information was published at the U.S Embassy Ghana verified twitter account on October 28, 2022.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Accra is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.

Eventually immigrant visa applicants can share in this exciting visa updates. Until then fingers crossed.

Tourist Visa Guidelines

While you are visiting a foreign country under a tourist visa, you must keep in mind the following rules:

• You cannot work with a tourist visa.
• You cannot do business under a tourist visa.
• You cannot study while you have a tourist visa.
• You cannot become a permanent resident with a tourist visa.

How to Apply for a Tourist Visa?

To apply for a tourist visa, you need to follow these steps:

• Locate an embassy/consulate in your country of residence.
• Assemble the documents required.
• Pay the required tourist visa fee to the embassy/consulate.
• Attend the visa interview.

Some embassies require you to pay the fee before attending the visa interview, while others may ask to pay the same day. Don’t pay money or make any payment to any person, unless the embassy/consulate.

Is it possible to renew a tourist visa?

You must renew your visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents may renew them in the United States.

DISCLAIMER: This post and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this post should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.

In guide, you will learn five Tips on How To Get Your B1/B2 Visa Approved.

Benefit of the B1/B2 Visa

The B1/B2 Visa is also known as a Visitor Visa, and it can allow you to either enter to Conduct Various Business Activities or To Act as a Tourist in U.S.

Another benefit of the B1/B2 Visa is that it can oftentimes allow you to stay in the United States for Up To Six Months at a Time.

5 Tips to Help You Get Your B1/B2 Visa Approved

Let now look at the five Tips on How to Have Success with Your B1/B2 Visa Application.

• TIP 1: Make Sure That You Have Very Strong Ties To Your Home Country.

For example: When you go in for your B1/B2 Visa Interview, the Immigration Officer is required to presume that you are an Intending Immigrant. What that means is that they are required to initially believe that you are planning to go to The United States and to stay there permanently.

It is your duty to show them that You Do Plan to Return To Your Home Country. The way that you can show that you Plan to Return to Your Home Country is by showing that you Have Strong Ties To Your Home Country.

Some Examples of Strong Ties to Your Home Country include;

• showing that You Have A Home Or An Apartment In Your Home Country,
• showing that You Have A Business In Your Home Country or A Job In Your Home Country,
• showing that You Pay Taxes In Your Home Country,
• that you have Family In Your Home Country,
• that you have a Bank Account in Your Home Country.

All of these different things can help to show that you have strong Ties to Your Home Country. When an Immigration Officer sees that, they’re more likely to believe that you do Truly Believe to Return To Your Home Country and that you’re Not Planning On Staying In The United States Permanently.

• TIP 2: Make Sure That You Have Enough Money In Your Bank Account to Cover The Expenses Of Your Trip

When you’re in the United States on a B1/B2 Visa, you are not allowed to Work. So when you go in for your B1/B2 Visa interview, the Officer is going to want to make sure that you have Enough Money to Cover the Expenses of your Trip.

Otherwise, they’re going to think that you’re going to the United States to Unlawfully Work. So make sure to have Documentation showing that you have Enough Money in your Bank Account to Cover the Expenses of your Trip.

If your trip expenses are going to be very Minimal because. For Example, you’re going to be staying with a Friend or Family Member, then be sure to have Documentation to prove that.

• Tip 3: Make sure to have documentation to prove the reason that you’re coming to the United States.

For example, if you’re coming to the United States to visit Disneyland, it would be great to have an itinerary for what you’re planning on doing in the United States.

Perhaps having tickets purchased for Disneyland or having a hotel booked in Orlando, similar such documents.

If you’re planning on coming to the United States to attend a business conference, you should have an invitation for that conference or tickets booked for that conference.

Those documents are going to be very helpful to prove that the reason that you’re coming to the United States is in fact, to do that activity that you’re letting them know that you plan to do.

• Tip 4: Be prepared to explain your relationships with people in the United States

During your B1/B2 visa interview, they’re going to ask you whether you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend in the United States or whether you have a parent or a sibling or a child that could potentially sponsor you for a green card.

The reason that they’re asking you this question is to determine whether you’re coming to the United States and then that you plan to stay in the United States and have them petition, for you to have a green card.

So it’s up to you to be able to explain to them that although you’re entering the United States and that you have a relationship with somebody that could potentially sponsor you that is not your plan.

Just tell them you’re just planning on coming for that conference or for that tourism purpose, and that you’re going to be leaving after that initial purpose of your trip is accomplished.

• Tip 5: Be very careful about the information and the content that’s on your phone.

Immigration officers, particularly Customs and Border Protection, may check your phones to search for potentially problematic information. Make sure that you have nothing on your phone that could potentially be misconstrued by an immigration officer to think that you’re planning on coming to the United States for some type of an impermissible purpose.

So make sure that your phone doesn’t have any sort of problematic information that could potentially be misconstrued by an immigration officer.

Those are 5 tips to help you have a successful outcome on your B1/B2 visa.

I hope you found this guide extremely helpful. If you know anybody that could benefit from this information, definitely make sure to share this guide with them.

Thank you so much for reading into this guide(How to get your B1/B2 visa approved).

DISCLAIMER: This guide and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this guide should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. The information presented in this guide does not create an attorney-client relationship nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact an attorney.

How To Retrieve Lost DV Lottery Confirmation Number: Losing your Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery confirmation number can be stressful, but there are steps you can take to retrieve it. Here’s a guide on how to retrieve your lost DV Lottery confirmation number, in case you lost or misplaced it because you can’t access the entrance status check portal without your confirmation number.

Diversity Visa Lottery program

The Diversity Visa Lottery program has been present for years. The program aims at assisting individuals from different countries with accomplishing inhabitant visas for the United States of America. The Diversity Visa lottery is also called the Green Card Lottery.

To get a green card lottery (also known as DV Lottery), you must meet up the necessities set forward by the organization and apply for the lottery without any problem. The way to apply incorporates the process of filling the online form, presenting the essential records, and a passport size photo. When you apply and satisfy the requirements, you will be selected for the Diversity Visa lottery, without any problem.

If you submitted the entry for DV-2025 Lottery, the entrance status is now open. The U.S. Department of State Electronic Diversity Visa Entrant Status Check for DV-2025 applicants is available. See How to Check DV-2025 Lottery Results: A Step-by-Step Guide.

In order for you to check if you are selected for Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, you need to have confirmation number. After you successfully registered for the Diversity Visa Lottery, you are expected to keep your confirmation number safe, because this is the only way you will be able to check if you’re selected or not.

How To Retrieve Lost DV Lottery Confirmation Number

What if I lost my DV confirmation number, what will i do to retrieve it back? Losing your DV Lottery confirmation number can be inconvenient, if you lost or misplaced your confirmation number, you need not to panic, because by following these steps below, you can retrieve it and continue with the DV Lottery results checking process.

STEP 1: Login to the U.S. Department of State Electronic Diversity Visa official website

STEP 2: Click on “Check Status.”

STEP 3: Click “Continue”

STEP 4: Click “Forgot Confirmation Number.”

STEP 5: Choose “YEAR” which is going to be 2025.

After clicking the Year button, you’re going to simply provide this information:

• Your Last name
• Your first name
• Your middle name
• Date of birth (month, day, and year) date of birth
• Email address.

STEP 6: After you are done filling up the boxes with the right details, click “Submit”.

If the information matches their records, the system will display your confirmation number. To avoid losing your confirmation number in the future, write it down and keep it in a safe place. Consider storing a digital copy in a secure location, such as a password-protected document or a secure notes app.

Note: It very important you use the email address that you used when submitted your DV application, when you registered/applied for DV lottery program. Don’t use different email address because the system will not recognize it. Make sure you use the same email address that you have used for Electronic Diversity Visa entry form and then simply type put the authentication code that will appear, and this is how you’re going to receive the confirmation number to your email.

LATEST UPDATE: How to Check DV-2025 Lottery Results: A Step-by-Step Guide

The U.S. Department of State Electronic Diversity Visa Entrant Status Check for DV-2025 applicants is available until September 30, 2025. The Entrant Status Check for DV-2024 applicants will remain open until September 30, 2024. Be sure to have the Entrant’s Confirmation Number, Last/Family Name, and Year of Birth to check the entrant status online.

DISCLAIMER: This guide and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this guide should not be construed to be formal legal advice. This is not the U.S. Department of State Electronic Diversity Visa official website. Please ignore any sites, organization or anyone asking or demanding any form of payment from you, for jobs or visa preparations.

Social Security Number for international students: In this guide, we will learn how to apply for a social security number (SSN) as an F1 visa or J1 visa international student. We will also learn how to obtain an SSN Letter of Ineligibility for someone unable to obtain an SSN as an F1 or J1 visa non-immigrant.

Social Security Numbers (SSN) are 9 digit numbers primarily used to report an individual’s wages to the U.S government through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to determine if a person is eligible to obtain a Social Security benefit.

Why You Need an Social Security Numbers (SSN)

As an international student on an F1 or J1 visa, you will need a Social Security Number or an SSN to do the following;

1. Receiving income and paying taxes on a job
2. Receiving government benefits, if you are considered a resident alien for tax purposes
3. Applying for a driver’s license or a state ID
4. Opening financial accounts, such as credit card accounts, and online banking accounts
5. Applying for loans, such as student loans, or car loans

Requirement for Social Security Numbers (SSN) on F1/J1 Visa

There are two prerequisites, either of which must be met in order to obtain a Social Security Card as an international student;

• You must be authorized for employment by your school’s designated school official for F1 student, and if you’re a J1 student, you must be authorized for employment by your sponsor.

This authorization usually occurs when F1 Student or J1 Student apply for on campus employment or off campus employment in the form of CPT or academic training.

• When you obtain a work authorization from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is the case for F1 international students who apply and are approved for the Optional Practical Training OPT

How to get Social Security Number for International Students

Applying for your Social Security Number (SSN) is absolutely free, and if you’ve met any of the prerequisites listed above, you may contact your local Social Security Administration office and schedule an appointment as a first time Social Security number applicant.

You would first need to complete an application for a Social Security card, as well as presenting original documents that can be used to prove your identity, your age, your work eligibility, and your U.S immigration status.

Documents required for SSN for F1 students

As an international student applying for your first time Social Security Number, it’s best to go along with you the following documents. These document include;

• An unexpired and most recent admissions stamp foreign passport, which could be used to prove your identity and your age.
• Foreign birth certificate (optional): If you have one, you can go with your foreign birth certificate that could be used to prove your age.
• I-94 arrival/departure record
• Form I-20 (F1 students)
• DS-2019 (J1 students)

These documents will be needed to prove your immigration status.

Supplementary Documents

• Letters of work authorization from your DSO or Sponsor (F1 students who plan to work on campus)
• Evidence of employment from your employer (This evidence of employment could be in the form of an awful letter or page stub)
• J1 students must also provide a letter from their sponsor authorizing them for employment.
• A valid EAD card (F1 students who plan to work in OPT)
• An F1 student who plans to work in CPT must present an I-20 endorsed for CPT by their designated school official

Note: Your on campus or CPT work must begin within 30 days from the date you apply for your SSN, in order for your SSN application to be processed.

Another way an international student can apply for the Social Security Number for the first time, is when an F1 student is applying for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) on the I-765 application form used to apply for the OPT EAD.

You can choose the option to apply for your Social Security Number. If you choose the option of applying for your Social Security Number when you complete your OPT application, then when USCIS approves your OPT application, you will also receive a Social Security card from the Social Security Administration Office.

Approved SSN Card

Once your application has been approved, your card containing the 9-digit SSN would be mailed to the address you listed on your application.

If you look at your SSN card, you would see an annotation on this card stating “Valid for Work Only with DHS Authorization”.

This ensures that your future employer verifies that you have received the legal authorization to work in the US before employing you.

Social Security Number (SSN) Denial Letter

F1 and J1 international students who do not have the work authorization or do not intend to work in the U.S can request a denial letter by visiting the Social Security Administration Office.

This letter is also called a Social Security Number Letter of Ineligibility (Form SSA-L676) and as the name implies, it States that the individual is not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number.

Requesting this letter does not affect your ability to obtain a Social Security Number in the future. In some. This letter may then be used to apply for a driver’s license or a state ID in some U.S States that accept this letter in place of a social security card.

In Summary

I believe by now, you have learned why you need a Social Security Number (SSN) and how you can obtain one as an F1 or J1 visa International Student. Also, I believe you have learned what you can do if you are ineligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN).

Thanks for reading this detailed guide on social security number for international students.

DISCLAIMER: This guide and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this guide should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.

In this guide, we will learn how to transition from the F1 visa to the H-1B visa as an international student on F1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT. This is particularly for international students who are F1 visa holders.

That’s it’s not to say that if you’re a J1 visa holder you cannot get an H-1B. But it’s just that as a J1 visa holder, your transition to the H-1B will be a lot different from someone who has an F1 visa.

This guide give you details about the most important things every F1 international student must know about transitioning from an F1 visa to a H-1B visa. For most international student, this transition will occur during the Post Completion OPT or STEM OPT.

Make sure you read this guide until the end because it’s going to give you a lot of good tips that you should keep in mind when thinking of transitioning from the F1 visa to the H-1B visa.

Basics of the H-1B visa

The first thing about the H-1B visa you should know is that this is called an Employer Sponsored Visa and that means that unlike your F1 visa, you cannot apply for the H-1B visa by yourself, only a U.S based employer can apply for the H-1B on your behalf.

The H-1B visa, unlike your F1 student visa, allows you to live and work in the U.S for up to six years.

Apart from the H-1B work visa, there are other temporary work visas that you might be eligible for, such as the E1, O1, and the TN work visas.

Checkout this guide title, How to Get a U.S Work Visa, to learn different temporary work visas that you can get to live and work in the U.S.

Generally, the H-1B visa tends to be the most common type of work visas that many nonimmigrants choose to use to live and work in the U.S on a temporary basis.

If you’ve heard of the H-1B visa, it tends to be associated as a lottery based visa, which means that you can only get the visa after you’ve been picked in the lottery. Although that’s not the only way of getting the H-1B visa.

How to Get H-1B Visa

There are two ways you can get the H-1B visa.

1. One way is called a Cap Subject H-1B visa that is limited to 85,000 visas every year.

That’s the class of the H-1B visa that you can get only after getting picked in the lottery.

2. The other class of H-1B visa is called an H-1B Cap Exempt visa.

This cap exempt visa is typically given to nonprofit organizations such as U.S universities and U.S research labs. With the cap exempt H-1B visa, you need not go through a lottery system to get it.

Getting H-1B Visa as an F1 Visa International Student

One thing to note about the H-1B visa as an F1 Visa student is that in order for you to get the H-1B visa, the job for which your employer is sponsoring your visa needs to require at least a bachelor’s degree.

So this makes the H-1B visa perfect for international students who are already in the U.S and seeking to change their status from an F1 visa to the H-1B visa without leaving the U.S.

In U.S, some companies have policies where they’re never going to hire anyone who is not at least a permanent resident of the U.S, particularly because they have certain government restrictions in the industry that requires them to only hire people who have a green card or people who are U.S citizens.

Also, there are some smaller companies that don’t want to hire foreign nationals, such as international students, because from their perspective, they don’t want to go through the cost prohibitive nature of the H-1B visa process just to hire an employee when they wouldn’t have to do the same if the person was a U.S citizen or green card holder.

So if you’re really serious about getting an H-1B visa to live and work in the U.S after you’re done with your F1 status, there’s no point wasting your time looking for jobs with these kinds of companies.

Filling H-1B

When it comes to filing the H-1B, a logical question you could have is, how much does it cost for the H-1B filing process? Typically, the cost of filing an H-1B visa on the part of your employer could be varying.

One of the keys to getting the H-1B visa is making sure that you can find a job with the U.S employer who is H-1B friendly. Because one of the mistakes you don’t want to make is to get a job with a company when you have the intention of getting an H-1B visa, and then when you request that they file for your H-1B visa, they tell you that they don’t sponsor H-1B visas.

If you’re going the route of getting the Cap Subject H-1B visa, you need to keep in mind the timeline you have to get in the H-1B visa while you’re still on an F1 visa status. The reason for this is that your chances of getting the H-1B visa through the lottery system is never guaranteed.

If you’re going to be working with a company that plans to file an H-1B Cap Subject petition for you, then you have a limited number of times that the company could try to file for your H-1B while you’re still on your Optional Practical Training (OPT) period.

This will become very important if you’re an F1 Visa student who is not eligible to get the STEM OPT. So if you’re an F1 Visa student who is working for the employer on your OPT, you only have one chance to get the H-1B visa with that employer.

On the other hand, if you’re an F1 Visa student who is eligible for STEM OPT, then you have at least three times to secure the H-1B visa while you’re working on your OPT and STEM OPT.

Something else to consider is your graduation date and when your OPT ends. For example, if you’re an F1 Visa student who’s going to be graduating in the fall semester, which is in December, this would mean that you’re going to be ending your first year of post completion OPT for ten months from December, which brings you to February, two years from the year you graduated.

On the other hand, if you’re a spring semester graduate who finishes in May, then this would mean that your first full year of post completion OPT is going to be ending in the month of July, the following year after you graduated.

Again, something else that’s important to note about the Cap Subject H-1B visa is that the lottery system happens in late March of every calendar year, and it’s only after you’ve been selected in the lottery system that your employer could then file an H-1B petition on your behalf.

If you’re an F1 Visa student who only has one chance to get the H-1B visa during your OPT, then it’s very important that your employer files for your H-1B visa within the first few months of you working on your post completion OPT.

If you’re a spring graduate who’s going to start your post completion OPT after the month of May, this means that you already would have missed the window of opportunity that opened in March shortly before you graduated. So your only chance of getting the H-1B visa is going to be in the next year shortly before your OPT ends.

As the spring graduate, if you’ve already received an offer month before you graduate in May, you can ask your employer to file an H-1B petition for you before you graduate.

This way, instead of having only one chance to get the H-1B the next year after you graduate, you can have two chances of getting the H-1B.

One advantage you have as a spring graduate who finishes in May over a graduate who finishes in December, is that you could be eligible to get the Cap gap extension if you were selected in the H-1B lottery and your employer filed an attorney petition on your behalf before your OPT expired.

So these are some considerations that you need to keep in mind if you’re going to be transitioning from an F1 visa to an H-1B visa.

For many F1 visa students who are trying to transition from the F1 visa to the H-1B visa, the fact that you have a chance of getting selected in the H-1B lottery is very worrisome.

A lottery based selection system is one thing that’s totally out of your control and the best way to navigate this transition is to always be optimistic but making sure that you have a plan B.

Read: How the U.S Visa Works | Step by Step Guide For Beginners

I hope you found this guide very insightful. Thanks for reading.

DISCLAIMER: This guide and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this guide should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.

In this brief guide, you are going to learn 16 ways to obtain a green card to the United States in 2022, without having a family member or a U.S employer.

The green card, also known as the Permanent Resident Card, allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States.

16 ways to obtain a green card to the United States

• Family Based Green Card

You may be eligible to apply under this category if you are the immediate relative of a U.S citizen or lawful permanent resident or family member of a U.S citizen or lawful permanent resident, and widow or widower of a U.S citizen.

• Employment Based Green Card

This category is broken down into five subcategories, ranked from employment based category one, known as EB1, to employment based category five, known as EB5.

Most of these categories require a U.S employer to first file a petition on your behalf. Get more about the different subcategories HERE.

• Special Immigration Green Card

Special immigrants include members of religious denominations coming to the U.S to work for nonprofit organizations, members of the armed forces, and some nationals of Afghanistan and Iraq who were employed by the U.S government.

• Refugee or Asylum Status Green Card

Under U.S immigration law, asylum and refugees may apply for a U.S green card after they’ve been physically present in the U.S for at least one year since they were granted asylum status or refugee status.

• Green Card for victims of Abuse

As a abused spouse, child, or parent, you may file an immigrant visa petition under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). An abused spouse or child of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, and individuals in the special immigration juvenile status.

• Green Card through Registry

Certain foreign nationals who have resided continuously in the US honor before January 1 of 1972 may be eligible to register for a green card even if they are currently in the U.S unlawfully.

• Green Card through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

Up to 50,000 immigrant visas are available annually and randomly awarded to foreign nationals from countries with a lower rate of immigration to the U.S through a lottery based system.

• Green Card for victims of Human Trafficking and victims of certain Crimes
• Green Card for Liberian refugees who have been continuously present in the U.S since November 20th, 2014.
• Green Card for citizens or nationals of Cuba provided under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
• Green Card to persons born in the U.S to a foreign diplomat.
• Green Card for an American Indian born in Canada.
• Green Card for a Lautenberg Parolee who was paroled into the U.S on or before September 30, 2012
• Green Card for natives or citizens of Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos who were paroled into the US on or before October 1197
• Green Card for dependent spouses and children of lawful permanent residents who obtain their green cards based on the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act
• Green Card for a person who entered the U.S as a diplomatic officer or high ranking officer and is unable to return to his or her home country

Regardless of which category you fall under, how you apply as a foreign national for a green card will depend on if you reside inside of the U.S or outside of the U.S.

Individuals residing in the U.S in a legal status go through an application process called an “Adjustment of Status”, in order to obtain their green cards while foreign nationals residing outside of the U.S needs to go through a process called “Consular Processing”, in order to obtain an immigrant visa.

All applications for a U.S visa are handled outside of the U.S by the U.S Department of State while all applications for an adjustment of status are handled inside the U.S by the U.S Department of Homeland Security.

I hope you found this guide very informative.

Thank you for reading this post.

DISCLAIMER: This post and guide is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this post should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.

When you apply for a family based green card from outside the U.S, you need to file the DS-260 online form. Its official name is the “Immigrant Visa Application” and it’s handled through the National Visa Center (NVC), and your local U.S Embassy or Consulate. The DS-261 is an online form that tells the State Department how to contact you during your green card application process.

DS-260 and DS-261 Form

Once USCIS approves your family sponsorship form (the I-130), it will forward it to the NVC. The NVC will then send you a welcome notice by mail or email.

This notice will include your case number, a Beneficiary ID number, and an invoice number. The Beneficiary ID number is a unique number that the NVC assigns to the person seeking a green card. You’ll need all of these numbers to submit forms of DS-260 and DS-261.

Next, you need to file form DS-261 (technically called the “Online Choice of Address and Agent”). There’s no fee to file it. It can take up to three weeks for the NVC to process the DS-261.

Once the NVC has processed your DS-261, you’ll need to pay two required fees. You’ll know the NVC has processed your DS-261 when the fee invoice appears on the NVC’s Consular Electronic Application Center. It can take up to a week for the NVC to process your DS-261 payment.

After that, you can then go online to file form DS-260. This is the primary green card application for relatives living abroad.

DS-260 Filing Tips

• First, you’ll need your case number, beneficiary ID number, and the invoice number from the original welcome notice that the NVC sent to you.
• You must fill out the entire DS-260 online form in English.
• You need to include information about all of your children, step-children, adopted children, and biological children, and whether or not they’ll be immigrating to the U.S with you.
• List all addresses where you’ve lived since you were 16.
• It can take months for the green card to arrive at your address in the U.S, so make sure that the mailing address you provide will be valid during that time.
• You can’t correct form DS-260 after you’ve submitted it online, make sure all of your information is correct the first time. If you discover a mistake after submitting your DS-260, you can let the Consular Office know at your interview and ask if they can correct it.
• After you’ve submitted the form, print the confirmation page so you can bring it to your visa interview at the U.S Consulate.

The NVC will then send out a notice via email or mail confirming they’ve received your DS-260, usually the same day you submitted it.

You will need to upload email or mail your supporting documents to the NVC. The NVC then sends it to the consulate for processing. Once the consulate approved your visa, you’ll receive an immigrant visa stamp in your passport.

You are to pay for the form DS-260 as soon as you receive the visa stamp. That way you can receive your physical green card soon after you arrive in the U.S.

You will use the immigrant visa stamp to enter the U.S, and you’ll receive your physical green card at your U.S address, usually within three to four weeks of entry.

Submitting form DS-260 and DS-261 are key steps in the green card process for anyone applying from outside the U.S. By carefully following the instructions, you will increase your chances of green card success.

Question: Do you have to wait for NVC to contact you to fill the ds 260 or you just go online and fill it up?

Answer: You will need the NVC to contact you via mail or email for next steps.

If you found this article helpful, please be sure to give it a thumbs up.

Disclaimer: This site is not owned by any U.S Government Agency or an Immigration attorney. The contents in the site/post is for informational purpose only collected from various public domains (YouTube, search engines), you may need to contact an expert immigration attorney for your specific immigration needs.

Work in the U.S on a working visa: In this guide, we will learn about the different types of U.S work visas that allows you to live and work in the United States on a temporary basis. Some of these work visas include the E1, E2, H1, L1, and TN work visas.

We will also understand the different types of U.S work visas for high skilled working professionals and you can determine which of these visas is best suited for you. U.S work visa types.

U.S Work Visas

There are two broad categories of U.S work visas.

• Nonimmigrant or temporary work visa
• Immigrant or permanent work visa.

Both types of visas are given to individuals with a primary purpose of living and working in the U.S. The main difference between these categories is in the period of authorized stay in the U.S:

• For Nonimmigrant or temporary work visa: Individuals entering the U.S on a temporary work visa are allowed to stay in the U.S for a fixed period of time beyond which they need to apply for what’s called an extension of state.
• For Immigrant or permanent work visa: Individuals who enter the U.S on a permanent work visa are allowed to remain in the U.S indefinitely.

This article will only be focused on the temporary work visa, while the subject of the permanent work visa will be discussed in the preceding articles.

U.S Work Visa Types

Let’s take a look at the most common types of U.S temporary work visas in alphabetical order.

• E1 and E2 Treaty Visa

This visa is granted to citizens of countries that have a Treaty of Commerce or an international agreement with the United States and who wish to enter the U.S to engage in international trade on their own behalf. This is the case with the E1 visa, whereas with the case of the E2 visa, this is for individuals who plan to invest a substantial amount in the U.S based business.

Of all the nonimmigrant work visas, the E1 and E2 visas are the most suitable visas for entrepreneurs who wish to enter the U.S to start their own businesses. Currently, there are 81 countries with at least one of these treaties with the U.S. You can find a full list of the treaty countries with the U.S here.

• E3 Visa

This visa is only given to citizens of Australia who wish to come to the U.S to work in specialty occupations and have obtained an offer of employment from a U.S employer. Specialty occupations require specialized knowledge, and you must have obtained a minimum of bachelor’s degree in your field to enter the U.S on this visa.

Individuals entering the U.S on an E1, E2 and E3 visa are typically allowed to remain in the U.S for a period of two years, beyond which they must apply to extend their period of stay for another two years if they wish to remain in the U.S. There is no cap to the number of extensions that may be granted to an E1, E2 or E3 nonimmigrant.

• H1B visa class

This is the most popular nonimmigrant work visa for high skilled professionals who come to the U.S. Similar to the E3 visa, you must obtain an offer of employment from a U.S employer for work in a specialty occupation, and you must have a minimum a Bachelor’s degree or higher that’s equivalent to a U.S Bachelor’s degree or higher degree.

Foreign nationals admitted to the U.S on an H1B visa are typically admitted for a period of three years, and they can apply to extend the period of stay for an additional three years, for a total of six years in the U.S.

• H3 Visa

Foreign nationals coming to the U.S to receive job related training for work that will automatically be performed outside of the U.S can obtain what’s called an H3 Trainee visa.

Typically, individuals entering the U.S on an H3 visa are usually allowed to remain in the U.S for a period of two years. You need to have an H-3 visa in order to participate in any training program that is neither academic or medical in nature.

• I visa

If you are a candidate who is interested in working in the field of media or information, you are required to hold an I visa.

• L-1B visa

The L1B intra Company transferring visa allows a U.S employer to transfer a professional worker who’s knowledgeable about the employer’s business from a foreign location to a U.S based location.

To be eligible for these visa, you must have worked for the prospective employer for one continuous year within three years prior to when you seek to enter the U.S.

Most individuals entering the U.S on the L1 Visa are usually admitted to the U.S for an initial period of three years, and they may extend their stay in the U.S until a maximum limit of five years is attained.

• O1 Visa

This type of visa is granted to individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the Sciences, arts, education, business and in sport, and they must be coming to the U.S to work temporarily in their field of extraordinary ability.

Put simply, extraordinary ability in one field means that you must have attained a level of expertise that puts you at the very top of your field. This is usually demonstrated by the receipt of international or national awards in your field of expertise.

• P-1 visa

You will require a P-1 visa if you are a member of an entertainment group or a team athlete and you wish to travel to the United States for the purpose of performing or competing.

• P-2 visa

You will require a P-2 visa in order to participate in an exchange program that is run between your nation and the United States of America.

• P-3 visa

You will require a P-3 visa if you want to teach, perform, or coach as part of a program that is new in the field of folk, cultural, traditional ethnic, musical, dramatic, or artistic performance.

• R-1 visa

You will require an R-1 visa in order to work for a religious organization if you are a minister, a preacher, or if you have religious commitments. If you wish to work for a religious organization.

• TN visa

The TN nonimmigrant class is based on the North America Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico. This allows a Canadian or Mexican citizen to enter the United States temporarily to work in a qualifying professional level business activity.

Some of these professions include lawyers, teachers, engineers, and scientists. Canadian or Mexican citizens must have the qualifications for these qualifying professions and must receive an offer of employment from a U.S based employer for these professions.

While citizens of Mexico need to obtain a TN visa to enter the United States, citizens of Canada do not. Citizens of Canada and Mexico who enter the U.S on a TN nonimmigrant class are allowed to remain in the U.S for a period of three years and if they wish to remain in the U.S beyond three years they must apply for an extension of stay in the U.S but there is no limit to the number of times a TN status can be extended.

Application Procedure for U.S work visa

Before submitting your application for a work visa in the United States, you are going to need to have the following three things with you. These things are as follows:

Job Offer: You need to have a job offer from the United States in order to be eligible to apply for a work visa from that country.

USCIS: Your employer will have to file a petition for a non-immigrant worker with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in order for you to be eligible for the work visa. You will be eligible to submit an application for a work visa in the United States once your permit has been approved.

Labor Certification approval by the Department of Labor (DOL): A certificate from the Department of Labor is necessary for obtaining certain visas, including all forms of H visas. Your employer will approach these people on your behalf and make this request.

LATEST UPDATE: How to check Your Diversity Visa Lottery Result

I hope you found this guide very informative.

DISCLAIMER: This article/post and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this article/post should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.