United States of America – Nexus Visa International

General Information

Yes, Indians need a valid visa to enter the United States for tourism purposes. There is no visa-on-arrival facility for Indian passport holders travelling to the US. Hence, you must apply for a visa before travelling, whether visiting for tourism or business purposes.

You typically need a B-2 visa for the United States. The B-2 visa is issued for tourism, visiting friends or relatives, or participation in social events or activities. However, you should note that a B-2 visa is purely for the purpose of tourism only and can not be used to engage in the following activities:

Work

Study

Paid performances

Work related to press, radio, or any other information media

Arriving as a crew member of an aircraft or ship

Permanent residence

Typically, the USA government issues a tourist visa that is valid for 10 years. However, you can stay for only a maximum of 6 months in one single visit.

The US visitor visa fees for Indians is 185 USD. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Even if your visa application is rejected, the fees will not be refunded.

After you have given both your biometrics and your visa interview and submitted your documents, typically, the USA government will take anywhere between a few days to two weeks to process your visa. On rare occasions, it may take longer.

Eligibility & Requirements

As per the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), you will be eligible for a US visitor visa if you can prove that:

The purpose of your trip to the US is for a temporary visit, such as business, tourism or visiting family and friends.   You plan to remain in the US for a specific, limited period of time;   You have enough evidence of funds to cover your expenses while in the US.

You have a residence outside the US and other binding social or economic ties that will ensure your return to India at the end of your visit.

Here are the US visitor visa requirements for Indians:

Form DS-160: Complete the Non-immigrant Visa Application or DS-160 form online.

Passport: You must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US and any previous passports.

Photograph: A digital copy of your passport-size photo that meets the US visa photo requirements.

Additional documents required for your visa appointments:

DS-160 Form Confirmation page;   Appointment confirmation page;   Fee payment receipt;   Proof of the trip's purpose (e.g., cover letter, travel itinerary, etc.);   Proof of sufficient funds (preferably bank statements of the last 6 months);   Proof of your intent to return to your home country (employment contract or the leave approval letter). 

No, you do not have to provide confirmed travel tickets when applying for a US visitor visa. In fact, the US government recommends that applicants do not purchase non-refundable tickets until they have received their US visa.

No, travel insurance is not mandatory when applying for a US tourist visa. However, it is generally advised to possess travel insurance as a protection against unforeseen medical or travel expenses.

Application Process

Here is a sample of the US tourist visa:

Here's a quick overview of what to expect when applying for a US tourist visa through Nexus Visa International.

Visit Nexus Visa International: Start your US tourist visa application on Nexus Visa International.

Submit documents and checkout: Upload your digital photo and passport and check out by paying the required fee.

Connect with a visa expert: Once you check out, an Nexus Visa International visa expert will contact you to help you throughout the visa application process, from completing the DS-160 form to obtaining the visa.

Express US visa appointments: The visa expert will also get an expedited slot for your visa appointment and interview.

Attend your appointment: Attend your VAC appointment on the scheduled date with the required documents (appointment confirmation page, DS-160 Confirmation page, Aadhar Card, and new and old passport).

Visit for the interview: Attend the consular interview as scheduled, where you will be required to submit all the supporting documents and answer questions asked by the visa officer.

Visa outcome: At the end of the interview, the visa officer will inform you of your visa status. If your visa application is approved, you must submit your passport and relevant documents to the consulate.

Delivery of your visa: Once your visa is processed, you must collect the visa-affixed passport from your selected pickup location. You will receive an email or SMS stating that your passport is “Ready for Pick Up.”

During your VAC or biometrics appointment, you must carry the appointment confirmation page, DS-160 Confirmation page, Aadhar Card, and passport (including your old passport, if applicable).

During your US visa interview, carry the following documents: DS-160 Confirmation page, appointment confirmation page, Aadhar Card, passport (including your old passport, if applicable), fee payment receipt, proof of the trip’s purpose, proof of intent to return and proof of sufficient funds.

Once your US visitor visa is approved and stamped, you will be communicated via mail or SMS. There are primarily two ways of passport collection:

Self-pick-up: If you opted for a passport pick-up location when scheduling the appointment, you can collect your passport from the designated collection centre.

Courier delivery: If you opted for courier delivery, your passport will be sent to the address you provided.

At the time of collection, ensure you have a government-issued ID, visa appointment confirmation page and notification indicating your passport is ready for pick-up.

Yes, the consular interview is a mandatory part of the US tourist visa application process. However, children under 14 and applicants aged 80 and over are exempt from the visa interview requirement.

Yes, you can reschedule a US visitor visa interview through the US State Visa Appointment Service. After scheduling an interview for the first time, you can reschedule it twice.

Typically, the US consular visa interview does not last more than 5-10 minutes. In some cases, the interview is wrapped up as fast as within 3 minutes.

The most common questions asked are any combination of the following:

Purpose of visit: Why do you want to go to the USA? What places do you plan to visit in the USA?

Duration and dates of stay: How long do you intend to stay in the USA? Have you booked your flights?

Accommodation and travel plans: Where will you be staying in the USA? Do you have relatives or friends in the USA?

Financial capability: Who is sponsoring your trip? How will you finance your trip?

Employment and ties to home country: What is your occupation? How long have you been working with your current employer? Do you have any dependents?

Previous travel history: Have you ever visited the USA before? Have you travelled to other countries before?

Here are some of the most important guidelines to help improve your odds of a successful interview:

Dress appropriately: Dress in business casual attire to make a good impression. Dressing too casually can give the wrong impression about the seriousness of your application.

Be honest: Always provide truthful answers. Consular officers are trained to detect dishonesty, and false information can result in visa denial and future ineligibility.

Be concise: Answer questions directly and succinctly. Long-winded answers can seem evasive or scripted. Keep your responses clear and to the point.

Stay calm and polite: Maintain a calm and polite demeanour. Nervousness is natural, but try to stay composed. Being rude or argumentative will harm your application.

Be ready for follow-up questions: Be prepared to elaborate on your answers if asked. For example, if you mention you are visiting family, be ready to discuss who they are and where they live.

Explain ties to your home country: Clearly demonstrate your intention to return to your home country. This can include discussing your job, family, property, or any other commitments that require your return.

Understand financial responsibility: If you are asked about how you will finance your trip, have a clear explanation and supporting documents ready. This could include bank statements, sponsorship letters, or financial aid documents.

Do minors also need to fill out the DS-160 Form?: Yes, all Indian citizens (including minors) wishing to apply for a US tourist visa must separately complete the DS-160 Form.

If the applicant is under 16 or physically incapable of completing an application, a third party can fill out the form on behalf of the applicant. However, this needs to be clearly disclosed on the “Sign and Submit” page of the US visa application form.

Although there is typically no specified deadline for filling out the DS-160 Form before the interview, it is generally recommended that the application be completed at least 48 hours before the visa appointment

Any error in the DS-16 Form can directly lead to visa rejections. Follow these steps to ensure that you leave no room for error:

Gather your documents: Before you start filling out the form, ensure that you have all the documents (like passport, travel itinerary, etc.) in front of you. This way, if you are confused, you can quickly refer to the documents, providing accurate information. 

30-minute clock: It normally takes 30 minutes to complete the form. Make sure to start the application when you are free and there are minimal distractions.

Entering the correct name: Please note that when filling out the visa application form, you will be required to provide both your first/given name and surname. But, if you only have one name in your passport, then you must mention that under "surname" and mention FNU under "given name"

Note down your application ID: Write down your application ID. If you cannot complete the form because of an unforeseen situation, you can save it and access it later with the application ID.

Read each section carefully: Before providing information in each section, always be sure to read it thoroughly for accurate answers. If you are confused, consider referring to our detailed step-by-step guide on how to fill out the DS-160 Form. 

Once you have completed the form, remember to print out the confirmation page. This page will be required when you visit your visa interview.

No, typically, you cannot correct the DS-160 Form once submitted; however, you can fill out a new form, which will also be valid for your visa application. Follow the below instructions to fill out a new form:

Access the form: Visit the CEAC website and click on the “Retrieve an Application” option. This will automatically retain some information from the previous application.

Make corrections: Make the corrections or provide the updated information and submit the revised form.

Confirmation page: Make sure to print the updated DS-160 Confirmation page.

Here are some of the common mistakes that applicants make, which often lead to the rejection of US visa applications:

Incomplete or incorrect application form: Visa authorities verify the information you provide against your passport and supporting documents. Any mismatched or missing information can lead to visa rejection. You must ensure that you fill out every section on the DS-160 Form and that it matches the information provided in your supporting documents.

Insufficient funds for your trip: Proving sufficient funds is important to ensure that you can cover your expenses without needing to work illegally or becoming a financial burden on the country you visit. Make sure that you have the generally recommended minimum bank balance, and if not, consider using a sponsor.

Having an invalid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US. Make sure that before adding your travel dates to the visa application form, you check the validity of your passport. If it expires soon, renew it before applying.

Not showing enough ties to your home country: You must have strong proof to show the authorities that you intend to return and do not intend to overstay your visa. For this, you can include a letter from your employer stating your leave of absence and expected return date or property deeds.

Applying for the wrong visa type: A tourist visa to the US is only issued for tourism purposes and not for work or any sort of paid employment. If your reason for visiting is other than tourism and you apply for a tourist visa, your application is bound to be rejected. 

Make sure that you are not making any of the above-mentioned mistakes by rechecking your documents for validity and information. This will eventually increase your chances of getting a visa approval.

Renewing the US visa essentially means extending the validity of a previously issued visa. Here’s how you can get your US visa renewed:

Determining eligibility: To apply for a US visa renewal, you must be a citizen or lawful resident of the country from which you are applying. Additionally, you must have a previous US visa, which is still valid or expired within the last 4 years.

Gather the required documents: You must have a passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US), a recent passport-sized photograph, the DS-160 confirmation page, a fee payment receipt and an interview waiver letter, if eligible.

Complete the DS-160 form: Visit the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website and complete the details. Once done, submit the form and print the confirmation page with the barcode.

Access the appointment website: Login to your account on the US State Visa Appointment website, ensure all your details are updated and proceed to schedule an interview. You will be asked questions to determine your interview waiver eligibility for visa renewal. If eligible, you will also be prompted to select the courier location where you will drop off and pick up your documents.

Pay the US visa renewal fee: Pay the US tourist visa renewal fee of $185.

Print the Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter: After paying the fee, follow the instructions to access your Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter. This letter will serve as proof of your exemption from in-person biometrics and interview requirements. However, if you are declared ineligible, you will be directed to the interview appointment calendar to schedule an in-person interview.

Drop off your documents: Since you do not have to attend the interview in person, you can drop off the required documents at the designated drop-off locations set by the US Embassy. Once done, a designated courier will deliver your documents to the US Embassy.

Receive your renewed US visa: Within three weeks of submitting the documents, the US Embassy will return your visa-affixed passport and documents to the delivery address in your profile. You will also receive an email/SMS once your documents are ready for pickup at your selected courier location. 

Here is why you should choose Nexus Visa International for your US visa application:

Expedited interview slot: In scenarios where the appointment waiting time can be as long as 365 days, Nexus Visa International arranges an expedited US visa interview date. This allows you to secure a visa sooner, helping you stay on track with your travel plans without unnecessary delays. 

End-to-end support: Our personal visa concierge will assist you throughout the visa application process. Whether you have questions about how to apply, document requirements, or visa issuance, we have answers. This comprehensive support means you will not need to search for answers from multiple sources, saving you time and reducing stress.

Thorough experience and knowledge: Our visa experts have processed thousands of visa applications and will have answers to any doubts, questions or concerns you may have.

Increased chances of visa approval: From filling out the DS-160 form to providing tips on the common questions asked in the US visa interview, our experts ensure that you are well-prepared. Thus, our service ultimately increases your chances of visa approval.

Entry & Exit Regulations

Refunds, Rejections & Reapplications

Yes, you can reapply for a US visa after it is rejected. You can follow these steps:

Understand the reason: The visa decision is communicated immediately after the interview. If rejected, the consular officer will clearly provide the reason for your visa denial and might suggest further steps that you can take.

Address the reason: Whatever the reason, try fixing it by yourself or with the help of visa experts.

Reapply: If you believe your circumstances have significantly changed and you can now provide more compelling evidence, reapply.

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