Applying for a US visa
Most visitors to the United States need either a visa or, if their country is in the Visa Waiver Program, an ESTA. A visitor visa (B1/B2) is applied for online on Form DS-160, paid for, and usually decided at an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
- Fill in Form DS-160, the online application.
- Pay the visa application fee. US visa fees
- Book and attend your appointment at the embassy or consulate.
The visa application (MRV) fee is collected through the embassy's appointment and fee system where possible, and paid separately from any issuance fee. fam.state.gov · read
We could not read the full list of steps and documents on travel.state.gov when we last checked, so we do not repeat them here. Read them on travel.state.gov, the State Department's own site, or your US embassy's website.
Immigrant visas
Moving to the US permanently uses a different form, Form DS-260, and different fees.
If you are refused under 221(g)
A 221(g) refusal means you wait for further administrative processing, or supply more documents or information, within one year of the interview. fam.state.gov · read
To check where an application stands, see visa status checks.
Photo
2 x 2 inches (about 50 x 50 mm); head 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm), eyes 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches (28 to 35 mm) from the bottom. White or off-white background, no glasses. fam.state.gov · read US visa photo rules
Last checked 4 October 2026. Not legal or immigration advice; check every figure against the government page. What changed