Visa applications at consular posts abroad

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Any foreign national wishing to enter the United States (other than a lawful permanent resident) must present a valid nonimmigrant visa at a port of entry. In order to obtain a visa, a foreign national must apply at a U.S. consular post overseas. While appearing superficially simple, the visa issuance process is highly complex and frequently misunderstood.

Nonimmigrant visa applicants must prepare themselves carefully before making an application. Consular visa officers say that about 60% of their decision is based on the interview, with the other 40% based on the paperwork. Keep in mind that visa officers have only a limited amount of time to deal with each applicant. Applicants should keep the following tips in mind:

1. Dress like a professional. It is important to make a good impression.
2. Verify that your passport is in good shape and that there are not any torn pages. If there are, you may have to get a new passport before they will issue a visa.
3. Know the petition inside out. Consular officers report that many applicants have little or no knowledge of the contents of the petitions upon which their visa applications are based. This, in turn, casts doubt on the credibility of the applicant.
4. Make sure that all ambiguities have been resolved. If your job site has changed, make sure your employer files both an amended LCA and an amended H1B petition before you apply for a visa and you bring proof with you to the interview.
5. Print out a complete copy of the petition (including any RFE and response) and bring it with you to the interview. You might also want to tab the relevant sections in the file, such as your employment contact, and the end client letter (if relevant).
6. If you don't have a petition based application (such as a B, F, etc.), then you need to know everything about your planned visit. Where are you going, who are you going to see, what is the specific purpose of your trip? To the extent that you can articulate these facts, your petition is more likely to be successful.

Many applicants will find that they are subject to security advisory opinions (SAO). If an SAO is required, visa processing will be delayed at least two weeks, and possibly several months. Anyone who is a citizen of a "list of 26" or "T4" country will definitely be subject to an SAO.

For specific information about applying for a nonimmigrant visa at a border post in Canada or Mexico or India, please click on the highlighted link.

To discuss your visa application experience, or read what others have to say on this subject, please click here to be taken to the Immigration Information Discussion Forum.