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As a specialized agency for US visas, we inform you below about the different visas for the USA and explain where and how to apply for a USA visa.
Should you need assistance in applying for a visa, feel free to contact us.
First of all, you should know that not every person is eligible to apply for a visa to the USA. Therefore, the first question you should ask yourself is whether or not you need a US visa. You may not need to apply for a US visa if
A visa allows applicants to stay in the United States for various purposes and to different duration. Whether or not you need a visa, and if so, which one, usually depends first on
Other factors that determine which US visa you need to apply for may include:
Potential visa applicants do not always find it easy to keep track of more than 40 visa categories – we can help you with this!
Depending on the visa category, the application process can be divided into several steps. At the end, however, there is usually the consular procedure in the US consulates worldwide for the actual receipt of the visa in the passport – regardless of whether a work visa, visitor visa or student visa is applied for.
Responsible for the issuance of a US visa (visa stamp) are exclusively the consular sections of the US embassies worldwide, i.e. outside the United States. In Germany, for example, you can apply for a US visa at the US consulate in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main or Munich. In Austria, the US Embassy in Vienna is responsible and in Switzerland you must contact the US embassy in Bern.
Depending on the size of the country, applicants can choose from several application locations. In Mexico, for example, there are currently 10 US consular posts. Please have a look at the list of all US representations worldwide.
Generally, US visas are applied for in the country where applicants currently have their center of life. Please note that not all US consulates are responsible for all visa categories and there are – depending on the country of application – regional responsibilities.
In Germany, applicants can visit the three US consulates in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main and Munich, regardless of where their place of residence is located. However, immigrant visas or E visas, for example, are processed exclusively by the US Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main. So find out in good time which location is responsible for you.
Furthermore, not all US consulates worldwide are automatically responsible for US visa application procedures. For example, the German US consulates in Hamburg, Düsseldorf or Leipzig do not issue US visas.
Applying for a visa to the United States is a crucial step for travellers wishing to enter the US, whether for business, family, academic or tourism reasons. The process of obtaining a US visa requires careful planning, preparation and compliance with requirements, which can vary depending on the visa type.
There are two ways to apply for a US visa:
An in-person interview is an essential step in the consular process for a US visa. After applicants have completed the DS-160 form online, they can create a profile on the Visa Information Service website in order to arrange an interview appointment and pay the visa fee. For the US consulates and US embassies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the service provider CGI Federal Inc. is responsible. In other countries, e.g. Great Britain, Mexico, etc., there is a different visa information service.
Applicants can use this profile to view all information relating to the status of their visa application.
During the interview, visa officers ask applicants questions about their visa application, their planned stay in the USA, their personal and professional background and other relevant topics. The purpose of the interview is to verify the authenticity of the application and ensure that the applicant meets the criteria for visa issuance.
After the interview, a decision is made on the visa application. If approved, the visa will be affixed to the passport and returned to the applicant. If further documents are required or additional checks are necessary, the applicant will be informed accordingly.
Under certain conditions, applicants can also apply for their US visa by post through the so-called Interview Waiver Program without having to attend an interview at the US consulate or US embassy.
Prior to the introduction of this program, all applicants aged 14 to 79 had to appear in person at the US consulate or US embassy. However, the program, also known as the Visa Reissuance Program, does not automatically grant a visa. Applicants can be summoned for an interview despite applying by post, with the decision being made by the US official processing the application.
Decisive requirements for submitting a visa application by post include not only certain visa categories or the place of application, but also a history of visa refusals or criminal convictions.
The issuing of visas by US embassies and consulates around the world is now highly standardized, but there may still be regional differences depending on the country of application.
Applicants can find information on the respective Website of the US agencies worldwide that issue US visas.
When applying for a visa to the United States, certain documents are required to support and facilitate the application process. These documents vary depending on the type of visa, the purpose of the visit and the applicant's personal situation.
Below you will find a general list of frequently required documents:
It is important to find out about the specific requirements of your visa type before applying for a visa and ensure that you prepare and bring all the necessary documents correctly. This will help to make the application process smooth and efficient and increase the chances of a successful visa issue.
We advise you on the choice of the appropriate visa category and take over the complete processing for you or your company.
The interview appointment must be made either online via the visa profile or by telephone via the call center of the US consulates at +49 (0)322 2109 3243. If you make the appointment online via your visa profile, you have the possibility to view and book the still available appointments of the US consulates in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main and Munich in a calendar.
You will then receive an appointment confirmation including proof of payment of the visa application fee. Appointment postponements or cancellations are possible. However, if you postpone your appointment more than twice, you will have to pay the visa fee again. There is also an option within the visa profile to apply for an emergency appointment (e.g. family, medical or work emergencies).
At the agreed appointment at the respective US consulate, you must then personally present all necessary documents to the official (exception: Visa Reissuance Program or applicants under 14 and over 79 years of age).
Depending on the visa category, the application documents differ considerably. However, what must always be presented as a minimum requirement are the following application documents:
Please inform yourself in time which further documents are necessary or useful to prepare your visa application in the best possible way. We will be happy to assist you with your visa application.
On the day of the visa appointment, your documents will be reviewed, you will be briefly interviewed and, as a rule, the officials will decide directly whether or not to approve your visa for the USA. If the decision is positive, your passport will be retained at the US consulate and, after a processing time of approximately three to seven days, will be sent by registered mail to the shipping address you provided in your online profile with the visa included. A personal pickup is usually not possible, but can be requested in individual cases and in urgent emergencies.
It is difficult to make a general statement about how long it takes to apply for a visa to the USA will take. Depending on the visa, processing times can vary from three to five weeks to seven months. You should therefore find out in good time which visa category is suitable for your purpose of stay and which application procedure is associated with it, in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises in your time planning. How much time you have to plan for the application of a US visa usually depends on the following components:
Please note that US officials cannot take individual travel plans into consideration. For this reason, it is recommended to apply for a visa before booking a flight.
Not all US visa applications are the same. Depending on the purpose of stay, there are over 40 categories available to US travelers, which vary significantly by
A variety of US visas, such as visitor visas (B-1 / B-2), can be applied for directly at US consulates during a personal interview appointment.
Visa interview appointments are available quicky, depending on the country of application, i.e. within approximately three to five weeks. If the application is approved, the passport will be sent within one week.
Please note, however, that some visa categories, for example many US work visas, are subject to elaborate procedural steps before a consular interview appointment to issue the visa can even take place. Depending on the category and the processing times of the USCIS service centers, this pre-application step can take an additional two to three months (or even longer).
US consulates around the world can also experience busy periods. For example, experience has shown that more US visa applications are filed during peak travel periods (summer and winter months) with the same staff. In addition, during the summer months, consulates are well utilized by prospective students in the US (F-1 visas). The usual waiting time for a free interview appointment of about one to two weeks can increase to up to three weeks during these times. Travelers to the USA should therefore start their visa application early during the high season. Due to their busy schedules, U.S. consulates are generally unable to accommodate individual applicants (aside from emergency situations).
The official website of the U.S. Department of State provides visa waiting times at US consulates at US consulates.
In addition to the type of visa as well as the time of application, other circumstances may have an impact on the visa application period:
If the visa application is done through our agency, we can assure you the fastest possible processing and make the application process as easy, efficient and fast as possible for you.
Within the visa profile you can make the payment of the visa fee (please note that the application fee will not be refunded if your visa is refused). The fee can be paid
As a rule, you will be notified by e-mail that payment has been received and your account has been activated so that the appointment can be made.
The costs for applying for a US visa are as follows:
We provide detailed information on visa costs for the USA on our website.
A US visa is not valid indefinitely, but has an expiration date. The maximum validity period depends on several factors, such as the visa category applied for and the nationality of the visa applicant.
Compared to other countries, applying for a US visa involves a relatively large amount of effort. In addition, the requirements for the respective visa category must always be checked on a case-by-case basis – this then results in the different
Our visa experts are familiar with the current visa regulations for the USA through daily consultations and case processing and can therefore guarantee you optimal support with your visa application. Every year we help more than 750 companies and individuals with the
We are particularly specialized in the needs of companies operating in the United States.
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