If you are interested in getting a regular tourist visa to the United States (a B1/B2 visa), you may be wondering what the process is and how it will take. In this article, we will go through exactly how you can apply for a US tourist visa to maximize your chances of success.
You can apply for a B1\B2 visa on your own with the help of this guide. Our office can assist you if you have had issues in the past getting a visa. If your application was denied, it can hard to know why you were denied and to successfully get a visa after that.
Filling out the DS-160 Form
The first thing you need to do when applying for your visa is to fill out a DS-160 form online. This form is in English and should be filled out accurately and correctly.
When you start the form, make sure you write down your application ID so that you can log in again later. The DS-160 is a long form and you might need to look up things along the way, such as checking your zip code or exact dates of employment. You will need to also pick a security question and answer that you should write down as well.
It’s important to take your time over the form and make sure you understand each question. There are questions about your immigration history which it is important to answer truthfully. Our office often deal with is people who overstayed their visa or otherwise violated the US immigration laws, advising them on how to fill out the form truthfully and how to receive the visa regardless.
Once you have finished completing the DS-160 form, you should print out a copy and submit it. It’s important to have a copy for your own records, but will only need to take the confirmation page to your interview, not the whole form.
Registering on the Embassy Website
In order to register with Embassy, you need to go on their official website. The website of the US Embassy in Israel can be accessed in English, Hebrew and Arabic. Once you have entered the website according to your language preference, you will need to make an account and register your details.
If you previously held a B1/B2 visa, you may be eligible to renew it without attending an interview. In that case, the website will instruct you on how to send in your passport and required documents in order to renew your visa.
If you are not eligible to renew your visa without an interview or this is your first application, you need to book in an interview.
Attending an Interview
If you require an interview, you need to bring with you the required documents. This will be listed on the interview instructions.
It’s always a good idea to bring along the following document:
- Copy of all your passports
- Your physical passports
- DS-160 confirmation page
- CEAC Instructions for your visa
- 3 last pay slips
- Proof of ties to your home country
- 5cmx5cm passport photo
Interview Decision
At your interview, the consular officer will generally tell you on the spot whether you are approved or denied. If you are approved, the consular officer will ask to take your passport. This is so they can issue the visa in your passport.
It will take around 1-2 weeks to receive your passport in the mail. In Israel, you will receive an email with tracking information when your passport is sent out. This includes a package number. The passport is sent by courier mail (דואר שליחים).
Review the Visa
When you receive your passport, it is a good idea to look at your visa and make sure all the details are correct and accurate. If there is a mistake, for example your name is spelt wrong, you should get in touch with the Embassy to handle this issue.
Once you have received your passport back and checked your visa, you can book your travel to the US.
Visa Denials
If for some reason, you were denied a visa, make sure to keep the denial letter. Our office handles applications for people who have been denied a visa. We can advise when you should apply again and what your chances of success will be. Call us up to make your initial consultation on 03-372-4722.
