Is your visa in danger if you travel to the US to get vaccinated?
2:40
(CNN Spanish) -
Temporary visitors who travel to the United States are the largest group of migrants.
Among the most common non-immigrant visas are the B-1 and B-2, visas granted to travelers coming to the US for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2) or a combination. from both.
In 2019, the US government issued 5,297,439 B-1 and B-2 visas, a figure that decreased to 2,164,021 in 2020 due to the suspension of visa services in the face of the covid-19 pandemic, according to State Department figures.
Applicants for the B1 and B2 visa must demonstrate their intention to enter the country temporarily, verify that they have the necessary financial funds to cover the expenses of their trip, and must prove that they have social and economic ties in their country of origin to guarantee their return.
Here's how to apply for your temporary visitor visa to enter the United States.
Note:
Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the services of the United States Embassy have not resumed their routine operations, so we recommend that you carry out this procedure well in advance.
Check the waiting time according to your country of origin.
Removing the mask, a reason to get vaccinated 1:26
Fill out the application to obtain the visa
The first thing you need to apply for a B1 / B2 visa is a valid passport.
advertising
The second thing is to fill out the DS-160 application.
This request takes approximately 90 minutes and you should have the following information on hand:
Personal data: name, date of birth, passport information, official identification, current residence address, email, telephone and social networks.
Travel itinerary: arrival and departure dates, flights, address where you will stay and purpose of the trip.
Data of your companions: name and relationship of your companions.
Previous travel information: dates of entry and exit to the USA.
Contact in the US: name, relationship and contact in the case of having a relationship with someone who lives in the North American country.
Family information: name, date of birth and address of your mother, father, spouse and children.
You must also indicate if you have a family in the United States.
Education and work: name, address and contact of your current and past work.
The same information about your schooling is requested.
Security questionnaire.
Information about the type of visa you are applying for.
Once you have finished filling out the application, you will have to print the confirmation sheet with the barcode.
Costs
The cost of a B1 / B2 visa is US $ 160 and it is valid for 10 years.
The cost for children under 15 is US $ 15, a visa that will expire in 10 years or when the minor reaches 15 years of age.
Make an appointment at the embassy or consulate
On some occasions the applicant will be asked to upload a photo as part of the DS-160 application process.
However, most will be required to schedule an appointment at the Applicant Service Center (CAS) to which they must go prior to their consular appointment.
The CAS will take the biometric information (photo and fingerprints) of the applicant.
The appointment at the CAS and at the consulate can be made by phone or online (see here for Mexico, Colombia, Argentina).
Documentation for the interview
On the day of the interview, the applicant must bring the following documents to the consulate or embassy:
Valid passport or previously issued passports.
DS-160 application confirmation page with barcode.
Receipt of payment of the visa application.
Minors must bring a recent passport-size photograph (taken in the last six months) on a white background.
After the interview
In case the visa is approved, it will be delivered via courier within 3 to 4 weeks.
New York prepares to welcome tourism 3:07
More on immigration:
United States visas: data, definitions and how to process them for work or tourism
I am a US citizen, how can I apply for residency for my parents?
Who can apply for residency in the United States and how is it applied for?
Everything you need to know about Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
How to apply for asylum in the United States?
We explain it to you step by step
United StatesTurismoVisa