The United States is known as the land of opportunity, and so many people from around the world are eager to become new U.S. residents. More than 18 million foreigners were granted temporary or permanent visas in 2017 alone. To do this, you’ll need to obtain a tourist visa in the country. If you have your heart set on visiting the United States for extended periods, then you will also need to apply for an entry visa as well as a work visa.
However, it won’t be as simple as just filling out some forms and waiting for your green card to arrive. To get your hands on one of these visas, you’ll first need to meet specific criteria and demonstrate that you have strong ties outside of the country (the latter is called “diligence”). Fortunately, we’re here to help! Keep reading if you want to learn more about how to apply for a tourist visa in The States
Why is a Tourist Visa Required to Visit the US?
If you are a citizen of an eligible country and you wish to enter the United States temporarily as a tourist, you must first obtain a tourist visa. Of course, there are many types of visas available, but if you want to visit the country as a tourist, you will need a tourist visa. Tourist visas are for short-term visits that are less than or equal to 90 days.
That said, there are some notable exceptions, including those with business purposes or who have been employed in a professional capacity. Furthermore, you can’t use a tourist visa to visit family members who are currently living in the United States, to study at a college or university, to conduct research, or to work in the United States.
Meet the Basic Requirements
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to apply for a tourist visa in the US, it’s important to understand what the requirements are. In general, you need to meet two basic requirements to be granted a tourist visa in the US: You must be coming to the country as a non-immigrant, and you must be able to support yourself financially. A non-immigrant is someone who enters the United States temporarily due to their work or study ties outside of the country. This can include students, professionals, and researchers, among others.
Demonstrate Diligence
Before you start filling out visa application forms, it’s important to first understand the principles of diligence. DILIGENCE is the ability to support yourself and your family outside of the US while you wait for your green card to arrive. A common misconception is that you can opt to just wait around in the country for your green card to arrive. However, you must demonstrate diligence to receive a US visa. Now, diligence is different for every person, and it means different things to different people.
However, we can broadly break down the types of diligence that are most common. – Working and/or Studying in the US – Many people choose to work and/or study in the United States while they wait for their green cards to arrive. A key question to ask yourself is whether you are willing to work and/or study full-time while you wait for your green card. If not, you may want to consider applying for a visa that allows you to travel to and from the country to visit your family, attend school, and/or look for a job.
Visiting Family and Friends – Another key type of diligence is visiting family and friends in the United States. This can include parents, siblings, children, or spouses. If you are fortunate enough to have family members in the country who can help you out financially, this can be an excellent option. – Participating in Community Events
Another important type of diligence is participating in a community event in the US that helps the community in some way. This can include participating in charity fundraisers, attending community events, and/or volunteering. While you do not need to be actively working on community projects to meet this requirement, they can be an important part of showing your ties to the country.
Show that You Have Strong Ties Outside of the US
The final requirement of a tourist visa in the US is to show that you have strong ties outside of the country. This includes having significant ties to another country, having a job outside of the country, or having other activities outside of the country. If you can demonstrate that you have strong ties outside of the United States, you will be given a greater chance of being approved for a visa. This includes having a job in the country, having property in the country, having a significant another outside of the country, or having other activities outside of the country.
Applying for a Tourist Visa in the US
Now that we’ve gone over why a tourist visa is required to enter the US and what the basic requirements are, let’s talk about how to apply for a tourist visa in the country. First, you’ll need to find out if you need a tourist visa or an entry visa. If you are applying for a tourist visa, you will need to apply for a US visa through the US Department of State’s website. If you are applying for an entry visa, you will need to apply for an entry visa at the US embassy or consulate in your home country. Next, you’ll need to decide when you’d like to apply.
There are three different general categories of visa applications: On-demand – This option is best for those who want to apply as soon as they’ve finalized their travel plans. Considered a “snapshot” of your application, this type of visa is valid for one year and can be applied for at any US embassy or consulate. – This option is best for those who want to apply as soon as they’ve finalized their travel plans. Considered a “snapshot” of your application, this type of visa is valid for one year and can be applied for at any US embassy or consulate. Considered a “snapshot” of your application, this type of visa is valid for one year and can be applied for at any US embassy or consulate.
On-going – This option is best for those who have not yet finalized their travel plans, but want a visa that is valid for multiple entries. Considered a “rolling” application, this type of visa is valid for multiple years and will be issued as long as you keep paying the US Department of State an application fee. – This option is best for those who have not yet finalized their travel plans but want a visa that is valid for multiple entries. Considered a “rolling” application, this type of visa is valid for multiple years and will be issued as long as you keep paying the US Department of State an application fee. Employment – This option is best for those who wish to apply for a work visa.
Conclusion
Making it to the United States as a tourist can be an exciting experience, and many people worldwide want to go. If this sounds like you, you’ll first need to apply for a tourist visa in the US. However, it won’t be as simple as just completing some forms and waiting for your visa to arrive in the mail. You’ll first need to meet certain criteria, demonstrate that you have strong ties outside of the country, and show that you have enough money to support yourself while you’re in the country.
