Tourist Visa (B2)

US Embassy officers automatically assume every tourist visa applicant intends to stay in the US permanently and therefore applicants must prove the following:

• Strong business, social and/or family connections to their home country;
• Legitimate travel purpose; and 
• Financial ability to pay for travel expenses.

Generally, the most important factors in judging an applicant's chances of approval are as follows:

• Long term job or well documented successful business; and
• Documented consistent high level of income.

Applicants with a strong command of the English language normally have higher rates of approval because of the necessity to speak English while in the US.

B2 visa applications normally take 1 - 3 weeks to process depending on the caseload of the US Embassy in the country of residence.

Business Visa (B1)

The requirements, service and timeframe for a B1 business visa is similar to that of a tourist visa except you must prove a legitimate business travel purpose.

Transit Visa (C1)

The requirements, service and timeframe for a C1 transit visa are similar to that of a tourist / business visa except you must also prove flight reservations to a foreign country and a valid visa for that foreign country.

Student Visa (F1)

Applicants must first apply to a qualified school in the US and get accepted. The school will send the “Form I-20” after the applicant is accepted. Form I-20 is a confirmation form for foreign students, which includes a summary of estimated costs per year for attending the school.

Applicants can apply for a F1 visa after receiving the Form I-20 from their school and paying the SEVIS fee.

Applicants must prove they or their sponsors have enough funds to cover their education / living expenses in the US and a strong intent to return to their home country.

F1 visa applications normally take 1 - 3 weeks to process if the applicant has already received Form I-20 from their school depending on the caseload of the US Embassy in the country of residence.