In order to be able to leave Russia for America, you must obtain a visa, which is a documentary permit to visit this country. These issues are dealt with by US embassies, consulates, and visa centers, many of which are located in large cities of the Russian Federation.
Stages of obtaining a US visa
Applying for a US visa can be divided into 4 stages. Let's look at each of them.
Selecting a visa type and collecting primary documentation
Obtaining a visa to America on your own in 2021 begins with answering a simple but important question: for what purpose are you planning to visit the USA? This could be a tourist trip, visiting family or friends, learning a language, participating in sports, or business interests.
The algorithm for subsequent actions depends on the answer to this question:
- selection of a package of documents;
- sequence of actions when completing them;
- a questionnaire and a list of questions that the officer will ask during the interview.
To do this, you should first familiarize yourself with the possible types of American visas and choose for yourself exactly the one that meets the purpose of your stay in the United States.
Required documents
- photo 5*5 cm on a white background;
- international passport;
- an invitation from a friend, relative or company (if business is a trip);
- a copy of the 1st page of the passport (or document ID) of the inviting party;
- Certificate of employment indicating wages for the last 6 months (salary of at least 10,000 UAH) or confirmation of entrepreneurial activity, taxpayer certificate;
- Evidence of sufficient funds to cover expenses during a trip to the USA (a certificate from the bank about the account balance is possible);
- Copies of documents for all movable and immovable property;
- Copies of marriage certificates, birth certificates of children;
- Driver's license (if available).
Filling out the form and scheduling an interview
Applying for an American visa at Russian visa centers involves collecting a large number of documents and going through formal procedures.
Before applying for a visa to the United States of America, the first thing you need to do is fill out a visa application form, Form DS-160.
At the moment, applicants are required to fill out this document form only electronically, which is done on the official website of the US Embassy. You should be careful about the filling process. Errors and especially inaccurate information are unacceptable. Such mistakes can significantly slow down the process and give rise to numerous additional questions.
So, the DS-160 form has been filled out and the fee has been paid. You should now schedule an interview. For this purpose, since August 2011, a special website of the US State Department has been operating, which provides for the registration of each applicant.
Passing an interview at the US Embassy
By the appointed date, you prepare documents confirming the need and purpose of the trip. It is no secret that Embassy employees see each applicant as a potential immigrant, an increase in the number of whom is extremely undesirable for the United States. For this reason, it is important to think through the answers to possible questions in advance in order to avoid such an impression about yourself.
By the way, an interview with an American officer usually takes no more than two minutes.
Yes, that’s right – no more than 2 minutes of attention will be given to you. Therefore, going to the Embassy without preparation, hoping that you will get your bearings on the spot, is a big mistake.
US Embassies issuing tourist visas
Where are US tourist visas currently issued?
