Non-Immigrant Visas
Tips on Applying for a Visa
During their interview and on their application forms, all visa applicants should clearly describe what they intend to do during their travel to the United States. The purpose of travel determines the type of visa that will be issued, and the type of visa determines what the traveler legally can do in the United States. For example, a tourist (B-2) visa is for short stays for visiting relatives or friends, or for tourism; a business (B-1) visa is for conducting business. A person who enters the U.S. on either of these visas is not permitted to work or study. Conversely, a person who enters on a student visa can study; a person who enters on a temporary employment visa can work, and a person who enters on an Exchange Visitor Visa can participate in all activities (work, study, tourism, etc.) authorized by their Exchange Program.
The vast majority of applicants who apply for visas at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava receive a visa. We strive to make the visa process straightforward transparent. We recognize that travel and tourism promote cross-cultural understanding and are good for the United States. At the same time, consular officers must adjudicate visa applications in accordance with U.S. law. Therefore, we strongly encourage all applicants to provide complete and accurate information during the process, so that their qualification for a U.S. visa can be assessed fairly and correctly. The following information is provided to assist you in the application process.
Establishing intent
Under U.S. law, all applicants for tourist (and many other) visas are considered to be intending immigrants. This means that the consular officer must presume each applicant intends to go to the United States to stay. To qualify for a visa, the applicant must demonstrate this is not his intent. For further information, click here.
Financial Documents
An applicant should be prepared to show that he has sufficient means to complete the travel he intends without having to seek illegal employment in the U.S. or becoming a public charge. Contrary to a common misconception, there is no requirement that an applicant have a specific Affidavit of Support, Letter of Invitation, or bank account. These documents may, however, be useful in certain instances. For example:
- a person who wants to show he has regular gainful employment but doesn’t receive pay stubs may present a series of bank statements to show regular deposits of a salary;
- a person may present an invitation to stay at his cousin’s house in New York for a month to explain why he doesn’t have to worry about having to pay a huge hotel bill;
- a prospective student may present an Affidavit of Support from a relative to show how she will be able to pay private school tuition; and
- an entrepreneur may present business account statements, tax documents, or invoices to demonstrate his business is active and in operation.
Additional Tips
Make sure the application is complete. It is very important that the applicant signs and dates it on the back. If someone helped the applicant to fill out the form, he/she must also sign. The applicant is responsible for the information provided, even if someone else filled it out for him/her. Applicants should always verify that all the information presented is correct. False information can lead to the refusal of the visa. Visa fraud (such as false letters of invitation, false employment information or bank certificates, altered passports) is a very serious offense, and can result in permanent ineligibility for a visa.
Be prepared for a brief interview: The consular officer will want to know what the applicant is planning to do in the United States and when he/she will return. Tourists should be able to explain clearly and succinctly their reason to visit the U.S., who and what they expect to visit, how long they will stay, and how they can afford the trip. Business visitors should be able to explain their ongoing relations with the company they will visit and why a visit in person is necessary.
