Process of applying for a temporary US visa
by Christine M - December 16, 2010
United States, 16th December: Applying for a US visa might appear to be a complicated and a tedious process. Let’s see the process of making an application for a temporary US visa or a non-immigrant US visa.
Before heading with submitting an application for the US visa, you must bear in mind that you need to arrange for relevant category of US visa depending upon the route you are choosing to enter the US. There are two options for traveling to the US.
ESTA and a Visitor Visa. Here, we will discuss the first option, that is, ESTA.
ESTA-- The first option is the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Under this system, you can gain legal entry into the US.
ESTA was implemented by the US government earlier this year and is meant for citizens of the nations included in the VWP (Visa Waiver Program). Holders of a valid visa don’t need to make an application for ESTA.
Now, let us clarify what exactly the Visa Waiver Program is. It is a ruling by the US DHS (Department of Homeland Security) that enables citizens of the participating nations to move to the US for travel/tourism or business for a maximum period of up to 90 days.
Citizens of the member nations of the VWP need to bear in mind that---
• An ESTA is required even though you need to pass through America in transit;
• All applications for ESTA need to be duly completed up to 72 hours before travelling;
• An ESTA is valid for a total period of two years and is attached to the passport. Hence, make sure that your passport is valid and has not reached its expiry date before you plan to travel;
• You can travel to the US on the same ESTA for as many times as you wish within two years;
• All accompanying children need to posses a valid ESTA for travelling to the US.
Participating nations in the VWP in the alphabetical order include Australia, Austria, Andorra, Brunei, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Japan, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Slovenia, San Marino, Switzerland, Sweden and the UK.
»
- 1404 reads
