At the beginning of the twenty-first century, traveling Russians among foreign countries are most difficult to get to the United States of America with their formalities at the entrance to the country. Neither the states of Europe, nor other continents can serve as an example of such complexity of border standards. Even with all the papers required for entry into the United States, those wishing to visit this state are far from always sure that the US diplomatic mission officers will not want to find errors in the provided set of documents, and on this basis they will not refuse entry.
Approximate set of documents for obtaining a visa
Residents of the Russian Federation, eager to be in the United States, must necessarily receive the main entry document - a visa. This form of authorization is issued by the diplomatic structures of the United States of America - the consulate or embassy of this country on the territory of other states. A strict observance of formalities is necessary, otherwise the process of collecting documents will slow down or even be interrupted.
Visa application
How to get a visa to the USA? To do this, prepare the list of documents provided on the official websites. Be sure to include in it a valid passport obtained in previous years. If you have already traveled to the United States, copy the page spread with photos and visas of official authorities in the USA.
Documents that are no longer valid, proving the fact of your previous trip to the territory of America, are also required. You will need a pre-filled questionnaire, materials about your employment and some other documents.
Types of permits
The types of visas in the United States are very different in the content and permissible length of stay of a foreign citizen in the country, permits depend on the status of the applicant, the purpose of the trip and the necessary time spent in America. There are two leading types of entry documents: immigration and non-immigration. The first (IVs) can be issued to those who claim to be in the United States of America on an ongoing basis. This type of immigrant visa in the United States includes a visa (K1 / K2) issued for the purpose of marriage. At the same time, the K1 visa is issued to residents of other countries with the aim of creating a family with a resident of America, and K2, respectively, is intended for the applicant’s possible children.
How much does a U.S. visa cost? You will have to pay $ 240 for the visa of the bride and groom, while the American pays, as a rule, who invited the bride.
In addition, for Russians it is possible to obtain an immigrant visa in the following categories:
- spouse (at least 2 years old) or child (native or adopted) of an American;
- close relative;
- an applicant with a labor qualification useful to the US economy or a degree;
- other reasons of economic, cultural and other orientation.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Non-Immigrant Visa (NIVs) are intended for residents of other countries who are regularly located outside the United States but who seek to visit the country - travelers, businessmen, students and students of language courses, temporary workers, people who come for treatment, other categories.
For those entering the country, the US Department of State has provided a single list of types of non-immigrant visas by which applicants for entering the United States of America are divided. Those who come to the USA need to clearly substantiate the purpose, geographical and chronological framework of the trip, since these data determine the category of visa. It should be borne in mind that when the level of the trip is not determined correctly, troubles will begin during the interview at the diplomatic mission. And, perhaps, they will immediately refuse you on a formal basis.
Most often, people come to the USA with the desire to travel, do business, study at school and university, get treatment for a serious illness from qualified doctors, etc. Periodically, the tasks of those who come are connected, in particular, business goals are combined with travel. As part of the category of visa acquired, a Russian receives certain rights and privileges. Individual visas, for example, provide an opportunity to work, but most visas do not give this right under threat of punishment. At a minimum, you will be fined well, and they may also be sent to prison or sent to exile.
A visa for businessmen and travelers is intended for a short stay in the USA. Its owners come for different purposes: commercial (visa B1 is offered), travel or restoration of health (B2). Often they are connected and offered a B1 / B2 visa. Types of visas to the United States for Russians are issued for a period of up to three years, entry is allowed once or several times, then you need to get a multi-visa.
Student visas
Young people love to travel around the world, including the United States of America. Types of student visas in the USA are usually massive, and issue them to those who want to get an education in the USA. Such permits are divided into two categories: F (for those who will understand English or for students in US secondary and higher educational institutions) and M (for those who will receive education of different statuses). Russians get both categories for one year. After the expiration date, the visa must be renewed.
Work visas
Work visas are not issued to immigrants who wish to work in the United States for a specific period. The category of the document is determined by the type of work. Residents of Russia have the opportunity to obtain such visas in a chronological framework up to two years. Allowed time of stay is noted in the petition filled out by the applicant. A work visa must be confirmed at the Citizenship and Immigration Services. Without it, it will be invalid.
How to open a work visa in the USA? The list of documents, in general, coincides with the general, but there are some exceptions. There are several forms of work visas in America - 1 and 2. The difference is that an applicant who has obtained an H2B visa cannot, after its completion, send an application to Green Card. The process of obtaining them is the same. A visa is issued upon the results of an interview, which takes place at the American diplomatic mission in our country.
The leading rules for applying for a work visa are:
- Level of knowledge of the language.
- The presence of an employer in the United States of America.
- The presence of a diploma of graduation.
- At least a little experience in the specialty before arriving in America.
The absence of at least one of the clauses can only lead to an H2B visa, or even to a refusal to issue a document.
Workplace in the USA
A businessman in the USA, eager to bring foreign workers into his organization’s staff, will have to overcome the rather difficult path of the American bureaucracy in the preparation of documents for possible members of his company. How to open a work visa in the USA? The applicant for a work visa sends to the diplomatic mission in Russia a set of documents from the future chief from the USA, a copy of the diploma and work book, a certificate of work experience in the relevant field and other materials.
About possible dates
The longest time during which a work visa to the United States is valid is six years. Those applying for an H1B category visa have the right to write an application for a Green Card (permanent residence), which makes it possible, including, to stay in the United States. The applicant’s wife (husband) and children under the age of 21 receive another H-4 visa, which does not allow working in the USA. It is believed that they should all be on the content of the applicant.
Types of documents
There are types of visas in the USA that are issued for reasons that are related to the status of the applicant, and not with his desire to be in the USA. Depending on employment in official government agencies, commercial bodies, science, etc. the documents used to enter the United States of America are also changing. Typically, such job requirements provide easier conditions for obtaining a visa.
Visa cost
How much does a U.S. visa cost? If it’s not about marriage, a visa costs $ 160. This is a consular fee that must be paid at the very beginning of the paperwork. Most visas cost the same.
How much do some types of visas to the USA cost? The figure below contains information on 18 types of permits.
Visa Promotion Process
Visa to the USA (requirements are very strict) - a document that is difficult to obtain. The migration policy of the state is very serious. Therefore, you should consider in advance how to get a visa to the USA. If you have not had a trip to American territory, and a US visa has never been opened before, you must first make a consular fee for an American visa. This must be done via the Internet using a Visa or MasterCard plastic card. Then you should start filling out the questionnaire. As a rule, we are talking about filling out documents for a non-immigrant visa. Define the state in the electronic profile as Russia. After clicking on START AN APPLICATION, the program jumps to the next page. After that, you will need to go through an interview (the date, time and address to which you must appear will be additionally announced), if successful, the diplomatic mission will issue a visa.
Visa Framework
Documents allowing a foreign citizen to be in the United States are valid for one month to three years. Guest multivisa are valid from twelve to thirty-six months.