Frequently Asked Questions
General information
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after your interview with a consular officer. You are advised of this possibility when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 180 days of the visa interview. This web page on the Consular Affairs website has more information about administrative processing.
The most important part of the interview is the conversation between the applicant and the consular officer. In many cases, the consular officer will determine an applicant's qualification for a visa without extensive document review. However, this does not mean that applicants should not bring any documentation. Applicants are encouraged to bring documents they believe will demonstrate compelling reasons to depart the United States and an intention to abide by the terms of the visa.
Applicants are strongly advised not to book their travel until after they receive their passport and new visa. The best way to avoid the unpleasant circumstance of having bought an airplane ticket only to find out that the visa was refused, or that you will need to go through the costly process of changing your tickets to another travel date, is to wait until after your visa arrives.
A U.S. nonimmigrant visa grants you permission to travel to a Port of Entry (airport/seaport) in the United States. When you arrive at your destination Port of Entry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer who processes your entry will determine the length of time that you may remain in the country. You may travel to the Port of Entry during the validity of your nonimmigrant visa up to and including the last day the visa is valid. The visa duration does not determine the length of time that you may legally remain in the United States; only the Customs and Border Protection officer can decide this upon your arrival in the United States.
You do not have to wait until your current visa expires. You can apply for a new visa even if your current visa is valid.
Full-time students on F visas may seek on-campus employment not to exceed 20 hours per week. After the first year in student status, an applicant may apply for employment off campus with authorization from USCIS. Please contact your student advisor for further information.
Fingerprints Guidelines
During the visa process an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken. All nonimmigrant visa applicants ages 14 to 79 must be fingerprinted, and all immigrant visa (IV) applicants ages 14 and above must be fingerprinted.
There are some applicants whose fingerprints are not required, including:
- Applicants traveling on official government business, except for A-3 and G-5
- Applicants under age 14 or age 80 and over
Photo requirements
Your visa application photo must meet certain criteria regarding size and content. Submitting photos that do not meet these criteria can delay the visa application process. To reflect your current appearance, your photo must be taken within the last six months. If you are renewing a previous visa, this generally means your photo must not be the same one that appeared on your old visa.