America! To visit there, to be imbued with the atmosphere and culture of this great country, to touch the American dream - this is probably what almost everyone dreams of. Someone such a trip seems to be something incredible, far from reality. But the one who is bolder decides on his own experience to prove that distant America is much closer than it seems. One just has to want and make a little effort. They are just what you will need, and at the very beginning, when you have to collect documents for a visa to the United States.
Do you want to go to America? Prove you're not an immigrant
The visa process is not the easiest, be it Europe or America. However, in the latter case, the situation is somewhat complicated by the fact that many of our compatriots and tourists from other countries intend not only to look at American life, but also to join it (often illegally staying in the country). Therefore, in the US legislation on emigration, each person applying for a visa is considered as a potential immigrant.
In this regard, the American consulate, in addition to the basic necessary documents, requires proof that you in no case plan to stay in the country illegally. Let's look at what documents are needed for a visa to the United States. Their list depends on the purpose of your trip.
What are you driving for? Visa for tourists
The first, most common, goal is tourism. To do this, you will need a short-stay visa type B. Documents for a visa to the United States for a tourist or guest trip in this case are as follows:
- a passport valid at least until the end of the trip;
- two color photographs in 5 × 5 format;
- A statement on your behalf with a personal signature;
- invitation (may be from friends and relatives, as well as from business partners or from a travel company);
- a certificate of employment containing information about seniority and salary;
- certificate from the place of study (for students);
- documents confirming financial viability (various bank statements, etc.);
- documents confirming your strong ties with the Russian Federation (these may be documents on the availability of property, marriage, children);
- copy of the insurance policy for the entire trip (preferably).
You must also sign up for an interview at the consulate, after paying the consular fee (160 US dollars). With a completed application and receipt of payment, as well as a collected package of documents, you can safely go for an interview to the consul.
As you can see, in order to collect documents for obtaining a visa to the United States, you have to sweat pretty. However, if you do not have any special circumstances (for example, unofficial work, lack of ties with your homeland and sufficient funds in a bank account), then it is quite realistic to provide these documents.
Studying in the USA is difficult, but possible. Visa for students
Somewhat more difficult will be for those for whom the purpose of a trip to the USA is training.
So, to obtain a student visa of category F or M, you must provide the consulate with the above documents for a visa to the United States, as well as be pleasant for a full course of study at the institute, academic (F) or non-academic (M), and have the appropriate certificate.
Why else go to America? Other types of visas
These are the main types of visas requested by our compatriots for a trip to the United States. However, in reality there are many more. These are work visas (H, L), visas for journalists (I), for representatives of the creative professions (O, P), religious figures (R) and others.
For each of these types of visas, the main ones are the indicated documents for a visa to the USA of category B. Additionally, various proofs of occupation, travel objectives and grounds will be required. For example, invitations to conferences, directions from the organization, letters from the host, and so on.
Tell us about your plans and they will believe you.
An important point when applying for a visa is the availability of specific travel plans, confirmed by the agreed route, hotel reservations, tickets for events. Such nuances can be an important aid in obtaining a visa, affecting a positive decision on its issuance.
And the most important thing that is necessary for the successful outcome of your undertaking is self-confidence and your intentions. This is what you need to demonstrate to the consular officer in person (interview). After convincing the consul that the goals of your trip are consistent with the declared ones, and the documents confirm your words, you will most likely become the happy owner of an American visa. Most often, a visa is issued for a period of one year, less often - for two months (tourist), but there are also lucky people who have obtained a visa to the United States for two years.