An Indian citizen who holds a passport and wishes to visit a friend or family or simply travel for vacation to the United States must apply for a Tourist Visa for the USA from India. Entering the United States without valid immigration and appropriate travel documents is a serious offense. Hence an Indian citizen with the intent of embarking on a voyage must obtain a tourist visa from the USA.
What is a Tourist Visa?
A tourist visa is a non-immigrant visa that helps you travel to a foreign destination for a limited and specific period. It affords you legal access to the US and is an essential document to carry on your trip.
For an applicant whose purpose is solely for tourism, the Category B2 Visa is most appropriate, while the Category B1 visa is considered proper. A Category B2 Visa is a temporary non-immigrant visa that allows the holder to travel to the United States for tourism purposes only.
Other reasons for travel under the B2 Tourist Visa category for the USA may include, but are not limited to:
-engaging in tourist activities
-family visitation
-medical treatment
-special events attendance, etc.
Tourist Visa for USA: Mandatory Documents for Indians
One of the factors in successfully getting a Tourist Visa for the USA is ensuring a correct line-up and compilation of all the US Tourist Visa requirements. A slight error in your documentation may risk you losing your Visa outrightly. The following are the primary documents needed for the grant of a Tourist Visa to the USA:
Letter of Confirmation
This letter validates the attendance of your Visa interview in person at the consulate. It usually contains your application number, personal bio-details, and receipt of payment of the prescribed visa fees.
Application Confirmation Page
If you completed your application online, you will receive a DS-160 US visa application confirmation page at the end of the process. You will need to print out this page. With an offline application-a stamped copy at the visa application center.
Current Passport
A valid passport for six months past the date of return is a non-negotiable requirement. This requirement exists because your passport serves as a confirmation of the government granting you permission to travel abroad. Additionally, you must bring along all previous or recently expired passports.
Digital and Hard copies of the Photograph
The digital copies of your passport-size photographs must be in the prescribed specification that meets the photo requirements.
Police Clearance Certificate
This document shows to prove the moral status and character of the Visa applicant, whether such fellow bears a good moral standing and never was involved in any criminal or illegal activity. The Crime Investigation Department or any other assigned authority of the police department issues this certificate.
Medical Certificate
This confirms the physical and mental state of the applicant, whether fit enough to travel. In addition, a recognizable medical center must authorize the certificate.
Supporting Documents
Alongside the required documents that align with US tourist visa requirements, you may have to provide additional paperwork to support the purpose of your visit. These documents go as far as to show that you only intend to visit the US temporarily and will return to your country. They may include the following;
– Travel itinerary (proof of accommodation, flight tickets, etc.)
– Bank statement to show proof of funds to cover the cost of the trip and other expenses
– Evidence of travel insurance
– An invitation letter (where applicable)
– Proof of medical condition or a letter of diagnosis from an authorized medical institution if you are visiting for medical purposes
Mode of Application for Indians
With the prerequisite knowledge that visiting the United States for temporary tourism requires a Category B2 Visa, this advertently defines the purpose of the visit and highlights the necessary steps and relevant US tourist visa requirements that this visa type requires.
Below is a step-by-step guide that must be followed before you can obtain a US tourist visa from India:
STEP 1: Fill in the US Visa Application Form Online
To apply for your Tourist Visa to the USA, you must fill out the online non-immigrant Form known as DS-160. It will be beneficial in providing accurate and correct information, hence the need to start compiling all the necessary documents that meet US Tourist Visa requirements. Upon carefully reviewing the completed form, you can Sign and Submit it.
(Note: After submitting your DS-160 Form, you will find your submission confirmation, which you must save and print to your Visa application file).
STEP 2: Fees
The following action in line with the submission of the completed application form is to pay the visa Application fee. The standard government filing fee for Indian citizens applying for a category B2 Visa is USD 160. This does not include the cost of gathering documents, evidence, and acquiring passport photos.
(Note: The Tourist Visa for USA fees are non-refundable and non-transferable).
STEP 3: Schedule an Appointment for Visa Interview
It is highly advisable to apply for an interview date at the earliest possible time because it takes nearly two weeks to secure an interview date with officials in the consulate. You can select the nearest city or state where you would like the interview to take place.
STEP 4: Attend the Interview Process
When scheduling an interview for a US tourist visa, you typically need to schedule two appointments. The first appointment takes place at the Visa App Center (VAC), where they will collect your biometrics, fingerprints, and photographs.
At the second appointment, you will undergo an interview with a US government official at the embassy or consulate. The interview session will pose fundamental questions about your trip and personal bio.
By the end of your interview, you will be providing them with your passport and relevant documents plus US tourist visa requirements to get your Tourist Visa for the USA from India.
(Tip: While selecting interview dates, keep at least two days between your first and second appointment).
Processing Time and Approval of a US Tourist Visa
The provision of your visa application, alongside supporting documents and other US tourist visa requirements, would warrant a fact-check and background profiling by the US Consulate for a number of days. Upon your visa arrival, we will contact you via email or phone number to arrange a pickup or, preferably, deliver it to your address at additional costs.
FAQs
- What is the minimum validity duration for my Indian Passport to apply for Tourist Visa in the USA?
Your Indian passport should have a minimum of at least six months validity upon your arrival in the US to receive approval for your tourist visa.
- What is the appropriate timeframe to start applying for a Tourist Visa for USA?
It takes an ideal 3-5 days to process a US tourist visa for an Indian citizen. However, verification protocol at times may extend the whole processing time. Therefore, it is advisable to commence the application 2-3 months before your purported trip.
- Am I entitled to a refund of the fees if my visa application is not approved?
No, you are not. The visa application fee is non-refundable and will not be returned if your application is disapproved.
- Can I seek an extension of my stay in the US?
US tourist visas are usually granted to Indian citizens for a stay of 1-6 months. However, for valid reasons only, you can request an extension of your visit at least 45 days before the expiration of your visa.
- Can I get a green card with simply a US Tourist Visa?
No. A Tourist Visa for the USA alone cannot grant you permanent residence or whatnot.
For more assistance contact an experienced Immigration law firm for help.
