2006 Press Releases

Visa Applications to the United States must be Completed on the Internet

Bratislava, October 11, 2006

As of November 1st, all applicants worldwide who wish to apply for tourist, student, or other non-immigrant visas to the United States must complete the visa application form on the internet using the Electronic Visa Application Form, or EVAF and print the completed form to bring to the interview. The EVAF makes the non-immigrant visa application process more efficient. It saves data entry time in the consular section, and reduces data entry errors. Only applicants in true emergency cases are exempt from this requirement.

The Department of State has extensive, positive experience in requiring electronic applications. The Diversity Visa process has required electronic applications since 2003, worldwide, and the Department has found that nearly everyone ultimately has access to the internet, whether at a relative's place, or a café or a library. Already, many embassies even in developing countries see 80% or more of their non-immigrant visa applications coming through the EVAF process.

The EVAF process allows applicants to fill out their application from any internet-connected computer. The format and the questions are identical to the paper version of the non-immigrant visa application form. EVAF has been designed to keep the application data safe and secure. Its security and privacy has been proven through millions of applications.