FAQ –COVID19 Testing
Q.1 Is the Department of State going to start requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or test for visa applicants?
Ans: Currently, there are no changes to the visa requirements to be announced. Information on vaccinations required for immigrant visa applicants can be found on this website
Q.2 There are reports of foreign nationals traveling to Florida to receive vaccines. Is that permitted under the law?
Ans: Getting medical treatment in the United States is a valid reason for travel for people with a valid visitor visa; further information maybe found here. If you have any questions about entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, please contact the Department of Homeland Security.
If anyone in the United States has questions regarding eligibility to be vaccinated as a part of a priority group, refer them to your local health authority.
Q.3 What will happen to U.S. citizens or foreign nationals who present forged or otherwise illegitimate negative COVID test results in order to try to enter the United States?
Ans: Travelers must show a verified test result to their airline in order to travel, according to the CDC’s rule. Individuals detected with fake or false test results maybe refused boarding and/or entrance into the United States. For information on implementation, please contact the CDC, DHS, or DOT.
Q.4 Will travelers be able to request CDC waivers (exemptions) from the testing requirement for emergency or humanitarian reasons at Embassies and Consulates?
Ans: The CDC may offer waivers to the testing requirements on a very limited case-by-case basis where extraordinary trips such as emergency medical evacuation, is required to safeguard someone’s health or safety and testing cannot be completed prior to travel. Individuals who feel to meet criteria should visit the website of the nearest US embassy or consulate to find out how to apply for an exemption. For individuals who test positive for COVID-19, they will not be able to get a waiver through this procedure.
Q.5 If I’m vaccinated, do I have to present a negative COVID test to fly to the United States? Why?
Ans: All travelers aged two and above are subjected to the order, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have any questions regarding test requirements, please contact the CDC which contains information regarding Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID -19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States and Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
FAQ – General Visa Information
Q.1 How long does my passport have to be valid in order to apply for a U. S. visa?
Ans: You must have a passport that is valid for travel to the United States and has a validity date that is at least six months beyond your expected stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).
Q.2 Do I qualify for the Visa Waiver Program?
Ans: If you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country, have a machine-readable passport, are travelling for a temporary business or a visit of less than 90 days, meet other program requirements, and have obtained an authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA).
To use this program you must be a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program-eligible nation. Permanent residents of VWP-eligible countries are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program unless they are also citizens of VWP-eligible countries. Before traveling to the United States, we recommend that you visit the Visa Waiver Program website to see if you are eligible for VWP.
Q.3 What is the fee for ESTA and who has to pay it?
Ans: All Visa Waiver Program visitors to the United States must register for the ESTA. The ESTA registration cost is $14 USD. Fees can be paid online using either a debit card or one of the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. If you do not have the necessary sort of credit card, third parties (travel agencies, family members, etc.) can pay your ESTA cost on your behalf. If your ESTA application is declined, the price is simply $4.
Q.4 If I travel to the United States without ESTA, what happens?
Ans: Travelers under the Visa Waiver Program who have not gotten authorisation through ESTA may expect to be refused boarding on any flight going for the United States. if you are permitted to board, you can expect considerable delays and maybe refusal of admittance at the United States port of entry (i.e., arrival airport). ESTA registration often takes only a few minutes to complete, authorisation is generally sent in seconds, and it is good for two years, unless the traveler’s passport expires within that time frame. In such circumstances, the ESTA’s duration is limited to the length of the passport’s validity.
Q.5 If I am a third-country national living in Nepal, can I apply for a nonimmigrant visa in Nepal?
Ans: Generally, applicants are recommended to apply in their country of nationality or residency. Anyone who is legally present in Nepal may apply for a visa. However, candidates should consider more than just convenience or delay in securing an appointment in their home area when deciding where to apply. For example, you need to take into account the consular district where the applicant can prove the strongest relationship.
There is no promise that a visa will be awarded, nor is there a guarantee of how long it will take to process. The application cost is not refundable if the application is denied.
Q.6 Do all nonimmigrant visa applicants have to come to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an interview?
Ans: Yes, for the majority of candidates. Only a few exceptions apply to the interview requirement. Please see “Interview Waiver & Visa Renewal” and “Visas for Children” for further information on visa classifications that are excused from the Interview. In general, the following candidates are not required to attend in person:
- Applicants for A-1, A-2 (official travelers on central government business), C-2, C-3 (central government officials in transit on central government business) or G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4 (central government officials traveling in connection with an international organization, or employees of an international organization)
Q.7 I have a nonimmigrant visa that will expire soon and I would like to renew it. Do I need to go through the whole visa application process again?
Ans: Each nonimmigrant visa application is treated separately. Even if you previously had a visa and your current nonimmigrant visa is still valid, you must apply in the usual method.
Q.8 My passport has expired, but the U.S. visa in it is still valid. Do I need to apply for a new visa?
No. If your visa is still valid, you can enter the United States with two passports (old and new). However, the visa must be valid, undamaged and of the right type for your primary purpose of travel. (Example: Tourist visa when the main purpose of travel is tourism). Also, your name and other personal information must be the same on both passports. The nationality on your new passport must match your visa with the nationality on your passport
Q.9 I have dual citizenship. Which passport should I use to travel to the United States?
Ans: If one of your nationalities is not American, you may apply with any nationality you wish, but you must reveal all nationalities on your application form to the US Embassy or Consulate. US citizens, including dual citizens, are required to enter and leave the United States with a US passport.
Q.10 How can I extend my visa?
Ans: A visa’s validity period, regardless of its type, cannot be extended. You will need to apply for a new visa.
Q.11 Must I submit my visa application form electronically?
Ans: Yes, visitors must fill the DS-160 and bring a printed version of the DS-160 confirmation page with you to your interview at the United States Embassy or Consulate.
Q.12 What is “administrative processing?”
Ans: Some rejected visa applications may require further administrative processing. If administrative procedures are required, the consulate will notify the applicant at the end of the interview. The formal processing period depends on the circumstances of the individual case. Except for emergencies (eg serious illness, injury, death of your close relatives), the applicant will have to wait at least 180 days from the date of the interview or the submission of additional documents, whichever is later, to inquire about the status of administrative processing.
Q.13 How do I read and understand my visa?
Ans: As soon as you obtain your visa, double-check that all of your personal information is correct. Please notify the issuing authority immediately if any of the information on your visa does not match the information in your passport or is otherwise wrong.
Your visa’s expiration date is the final day you may use it to enter the United States. It does not specify how long you are permitted to stay in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security determines your stay at the port of entry. You should be fine as long as you follow the Department of Homeland Security’s decision on the terms of your stay.
Consular Affairs, the Department of State’s website, has more information on interpreting your visa.
Q.14 My visa will expire while I am in the United States. Is there a problem with that?
Ans: No, even if your visa expires during your stay, you may stay in the United States for the duration of time and circumstances permitted by the Department of Homeland Security officer when you arrived in the United States, which will be marked in your passport.
Q.15 What will happen when I enter the United States?
Ans: You should be given a blank Customs Declaration form 6059B by your airline. A family traveling together just needs one Customs Declaration. Visas do not guarantee entry into the United States, but foreigners arriving from abroad can travel to US entry points and apply for a permit to enter the United States. Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have the authority to permit or deny entry into the United States and determine how long travelers can stay. The duration of stay authorized will be determined at the port of entry by the Customs and Border Protection officer upon allowing admission to the United States. Before, passengers were given a paper I-94 (record of entrance) that contained this information. With a few exceptions, this procedure is now automated. The tourist will be given a CBP admittance stamp on their travel paperwork that shows the date of entry.
Q.16 I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the United States. What should I do?
Ans: Previously, CBP officers who authorized foreign travelers entrance got a paper Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). With a few exceptions, this procedure is now automated. If you got a paper Form I-94 or I-94W and did not turn in your paper Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record to the commercial airline or CBP when you left the United States, follow the guidelines on the CBP Website. Please do not mail paper Forms I-94 or I-94W to the US Embassy or Consulate General.
If you were given entrance with an admissions stamp in your passport rather than a physical Form I-94, the I-94 record was prepared electronically and no paper copy was sent to you. CBP will electronically record your departure from the United States. More information is available on the CBP website.
Q.17 I have questions on submitting my DS-160 and printing the confirmation page. Where can I go for more information?
Ans: Any inquiries on completing the DS-160 can be addressed on the following website DS-160: Frequently Asked Questions (state.gov).
Q.18 I changed my name. Is my U.S. visa with my old name still valid?
Ans: If your name has been legally changed as a result of marriage, divorce, or a court-ordered name change, you must acquire a new passport. The Department of State advises that you apply for a new U.S. visa once you get a new passport to make it simpler for you to travel to and from the United States.
Q.19 What information do I need to provide about social media while filling out the DS-160 form?
Ans: The Department of State revised its immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms on May 31, 2019, to require new information, including social media accounts, from the vast majority of U.S. visa applicants globally.
FAQ – Visa Refusals
Q.1 What Is Section 214(b)?
Ans: Section 214(b) is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It states:
(b) Every alien (other than a nonimmigrant described in subparagraph (L) or (V) of section 101(a)(15), and other than a nonimmigrant described in any provision of section 101(a)(15)(H)(i) except subclause (b1) of such section) shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a visa, and the immigration officers, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15). An alien who is an officer or employee of any foreign government or of any international organization entitled to enjoy privileges, exemptions, and immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act, or an alien who is the attendant, servant, employee, or member of the immediate family of any such alien shall not be entitled to apply for or receive an immigrant visa, or to enter the United States as an immigrant unless he executes a written waiver in the same form and substance as is prescribed by section 247(b).
The job of consular officials is tough. They must assess if someone is eligible for a temporary visa in a very short period of time. Most cases are determined following a brief interview and assessment of any proof of links presented by the applicant. An applicant must fulfill the requirements of sections 101(a)(15)(B) or (F) of the INA to be eligible for a tourist or student visa. Failure to do so will result in a visa denial under INA 214. (b). The most common reason for such a denial is that the prospective tourist or student must have a home abroad that he or she has no intention of leaving. Applicants demonstrate the presence of such residency by establishing that they have links overseas that need them to depart the United States at the conclusion of their temporary stay. The applicant bears the burden of proof under the law.
Q.2 How can an applicant prove “strong ties?”
Ans: Ties are the different aspects of your life that keep you connected to your native nation. Strong relationships differ from nation to country, city to city, and individual to person, but here are a few examples:
- Your job,
- Your home,
- Your relationships with family and friends.
During visa interviews, consular authorities examine each application individually, taking into account the applicant’s status, travel plans, financial means, and relationships outside of the United States that will secure the applicant’s departure after a brief stay.
Q.3 Is a denial under Section 214(b) permanent?
Ans: No, a denial or ineligibility under section 214(b) applies only to that specific application; thus, once a case is concluded, the consular division cannot take any further action. There is no procedure for filing an appeal. You may reapply for a visa if you believe there is more information that should be examined in relation to the visa decision, or if your circumstances have changed significantly since your last application. To reapply, you must fill out a new application form, pay the application cost, and set up a new interview time. To learn about any reapplication procedures, visit the website of the US Embassy or Consulate where you want to reapply.
Q.4 Who can influence the consular officer to reverse a decision?
Ans: Immigration law delegates responsibility for issuing or denying visas to foreign consulate officials. You have the final say on all visas. Due to regulations, the Department of State has the power to consider consular decisions, but that power is limited to interpreting the law rather than establishing facts. The factual issue at stake in such denials is whether an applicant has the required residence abroad. As a result, it is solely the responsibility of consular personnel at the Foreign Service locations to resolve. Only by presenting new persuasive proof of close relationships may an application persuade the post to reverse a previous visa decision.
Please visit the Department of State’s Consular Affairs website for information on visa ineligibilities other than 214(b).
FAQ – Business/Tourist Visa
Q.1 How long can I stay in the United States on a tourist or business visa?
Ans: A nonimmigrant visa in the United States allows you to travel to any entry point (airport / port) in the United States. Upon arrival at your destination port, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection representative who handles your entry will determine your length of stay in that country. During the validity of your nonimmigrant visa, you can travel to your place of entry until the last day of your visa’s expiration date. Visa length does not determine the legal length of residence in the United States. Only Customs and Border Guards can make this decision upon arrival in the United States.
Q.2 My visitor visa (B-1/B-2) expires after my intended date of arrival in the United States. Do I need to get a new visa before departure?
Ans: You can enter the United States until the last valid date on your visa. Upon arrival, Customs and Border Protection personnel will determine the length of stay in the United States. Your visa may expire while you are still in the United States; just make sure you do not overstay the limit of time granted by the officer.
Q.3 My U.S. visa will expire in the next 6 months. Do I need to apply for a new visa after my current visa expires or can I apply in advance?
Ans: No, you do not have to wait till your current visa expires. You can apply for a new one even if your current visa is valid.
Q.4 I currently hold a valid B-1/B-2 visa, which is in my maiden name, in my old passport. I wish to transfer this visa to my new passport, which is in my married name. What is the procedure?
Ans: Visas to the United States cannot be transferred from one passport to another. If your name has been legally changed as a result of marriage, divorce, or a court-ordered name change, you must acquire a new passport. The Department of State advises that you apply for a new U.S. visa once you get a new passport to make it simpler for you to travel to and from the United States.
Q.5 My current U.S. visa was issued to me when I was working in my previous job. Now I have changed to a new job at a new company and my new employer wants me to attend a conference in the United States, scheduled for next month. Can I use the same visa or do I have to apply for a new visa?
Ans: You can go to the United States on the same visa if it is valid for both business and entertainment.
Q.6 My child is studying in the United States. Can I go live with him?
Ans: While you can visit your child with your own B-1/B-2 visa (or travel under the Visa Waiver Program if qualified), you cannot reside with your child unless you have your own immigrant, work, or student visa.
FAQ – Student Visa
Q.1 What is an I-20 and how do I get it?
Ans: The Form I-20 is an official United States Government form provided by a recognized institution that future nonimmigrant students must have in order to obtain an F1 or M1 visa. Form I-20 acts as an evidence of acceptance and provides the information required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, apply for a visa or change your visa status and enter the United States. On the upper right corner, just above the barcode, is the student’s SEVIS identification number, which begins with the letter,” N” and is followed by a 9 digit number.
Q.2 How early should I apply for my student visa?
Ans: Once you have an I-20, it is recommended that you apply for a nonimmigrant student visa. You may apply at any moment to guarantee that you receive an early and timely date. Student visas (F and M) for new students can be obtained up to 120 days before the start date of a course of study.
Q.3 I received my visa, when should I travel?
Ans: For your first entry to the United States, you can only enter the United States within 30 days of the start of the course of the study specified on you I-20, regardless of when your visa was issued.
Q.4 Can a person on a visitor visa change his or her status to student while in the United States if he or she gains admission to a school and gets a Form I-20?
Ans: Yes. In general, you may apply to change your nonimmigrant visa status if you have legally entered the United Stated with a nonimmigrant visa, your nonimmigrant status is still valid, you have not violated the terms of your status, and you have not committed any activities that would make you ineligible. Please visit the USCIS website for further information.
Q.5 What if I receive an I-20 to a different school?
Ans: If you got an I-20 after booking your appointment, you can notify the U.S. consular officer about the new I-20 at the time of your interview.
Q.6 I was working as an H-1B and have now been admitted to a university as an F-1. Do I need to return to my country to apply for a student visa?
Ans: No. You do not need to apply for a new visa once you are in the United State because the visa is only for entry into the United States. Check with USCIS to see whether you need to change your status. However, if you leave the country, you will need to apply for a student visa to re-enter the United States.
Q.7 Can an F-1 student work in the United States?
Ans: Full-time F visa students may seek for work on-campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week. After the first year of student status, an applicant may apply for off-campus work with USCIS authorization. For further information, please contact your student adviser.
Q.8 What is the SEVIS system and how does it affect me?
Ans: The Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) program requires that the school and exchange program verify the enrollment status of all new and continuing international students and exchange visitors. Student visa applicants are required to pay the SEVIS see before a visa can be issued. For more information, please visit the SEVIS website.
FAQ – Exchange Visitor Visa
Q.1 I received my visa, when should I travel?
Ans: Regardless of when your visa was obtained, exchange visitors may only enter the United States within 30 days of the start of the program, as specified on your Form DS-2019.
Q.2 What is the SEVIS system and how does it affect me?
Ans: The Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) program requires that the school and exchange program verify the enrollment status of all new and continuing international students and exchange visitors. Student visa applicants are required to pay the SEVIS see before a visa can be issued. For more information, please visit the SEVIS website.
Q.3 What is the “two-year rule?”
Ans: The “two-year rule” refers to a section of US immigration law that requires many exchange visitors to return to their home countries and remain physically present there for at least two years after the end of their exchange visit before they can return to the US under certain types of visas, specifically H-1, L-1, K-1, and immigrant visas. It is crucial to remember that when your J-1 visa is awarded, only an initial decision of whether the two-year restriction applies to you is made on your DS-2019. Only if you later decide to apply for an H-1, L-1, K-1, or immigrant visa will the final decision be made.
J-1 visa holders who are subjected to the two-year rule are not authorized to remain in the United States and seek for adjustment/change of status to a banned nonimmigrant status (for example, from a J-1 visa to an H-1 visa).
Q.4 Can the two-year rule be waived?
Ans: Possibly. Waivers of the two-year rule can only be granted by the Department of State’s Visa Office. Regardless of what is written in your passport, the Visa Office is the final authority on whether you are subject to the regulation. You may be able to request a waiver if you are subject to the two-year rule. Even though you are subject to the two-year restriction, you may be eligible for a tourist visa or any other nonimmigrant visa other than those listed above.
FAQ – Visas for Children
Q.1 Do children need a visa?
Ans: All visitors, including minors, require a visa to enter the United States unless they qualify for a visa waiver program, such as the Visa Waiver Program.
Q.2 Do children pay the same application fee as adults?
Ans: Yes.
Q.3 Do children need to schedule an appointment and come in person for an interview?
Ans: In general, all nonimmigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, must make a personal presence when applying for a U.S. visa, with the exception of children qualified for Interview Waiver. A consular officer, on the other hand, has the authority to waive the interview of any applicant (first-time or visa renewal) who applies in the consular district of their normal home. The Adjudicating Consular Officer establishes the physical appearance requirement and makes personal choices in accordance with the law.
Q.4 What documents should be submitted for an applicant under the age of 14 years?
Ans: When submitting their applications, all candidates must provide the following documents:
- Applicant’s current and all old passports;
- A completed DS-160 confirmation page;
- A visa fee receipt for the current visa application;
- Children under 14 years of age must submit a photocopy of both parent’s passport biographic information page, both parent’s valid U.S. visa, and a copy of the child’s birth certificate. If the parents do not hold U.S. visas, the children are not eligible for the interview waiver;
- One copy of the interview-waiver confirmation letter;
- Accompanying guardians or parents may submit their children’s documents with one hard copy photograph, as per the photo requirements.
Note: If the appointment is arranged with a child under the age of 14, the parents must provide the above-mentioned documentation at the time of their interview at the Embassy. Visa issuance is not assured for those who do not attend in person. After considering an application, the Embassy may request the child to attend in person in specific situations.
FAQ – Interview Waiver & Visa Renewal
Q.1 Can I apply for the Interview Waiver if my last visa was issued from an overseas post (not from Nepal)?
Ans: Yes, you can apply at the US Embassy Kathmandu even if your last visa was issued by an overseas post, as long as you apply in the consular district of your normal residence. For instance, if you are a Nepalese citizen or resident (for at least the preceding 6 months) and are presently applying and present in Nepal.
Q.2 Am I eligible to apply for the Interview Waiver?
Ans: We recommend that you visit the Interview Waiver and Visa Renewal website to see if you are qualified to renew your nonimmigrant visa without having to appear for an interview.
Q.3 My visa expired two years ago. Can I still apply for interview-waiver?
Ans: On the Interview Waiver and Visa Renewal page, you may verify your eligibility for the Interview Waiver.
Q.4 I applied for a visa in 2007 but received it in 2008. Can I apply for interview-waiver?
Ans: Applicants who had a nonimmigrant visa interview on or after January 1, 2008, are eligible. Applicants must also fulfill the conditions outlined on the Interview Waiver and Visa Renewal page.
Q.5 When will I get my visa after applying for interview-waiver?
Ans: When your passport becomes available at the chosen location, you will be notified via email that it is “Ready for Pick Up.” Some qualified applicants, however, require further administrative procedures. We cannot guarantee how much time will be necessary for extra processing. When the procedure is finished and the visa is available, your passport will be delivered to the address you choose.
Q.6 What should I do if I am asked to come in for an in-person interview?
Ans: Your MRV fee receipt will be unlocked, and you will receive an email from support@ustraveldocs.com informing you that you may book an interview online. If you are invited t樂威壯
o come in for an in-person interview, your current status may be “Refused” according to the Visa Status Check. This implies your application has been rejected awaiting an interview. Please see the following link for information on consular services currently offered by the US Embassy in Kathmandu: https://np.usembassy.gov/visas/.
Q.7 Does interview-waiver eligibility guarantee that I’ll be issued a visa?
Ans: No, being eligible for the interview waiver does not ensure visa issuance or that the interview will be waived. Even if your interview is waived, you may be required to attend biometrics. If they need more information, they will contact you at the email address you provided in your DS-160 online application.
Q.8 What are the pre-requisites to submit an application for interview-waiver?
Ans: We recommend that you consult the Interview Waiver and Visa Renewal page for further information on the papers necessary.
Q.9 I am applying with my child for B Visa, and his/her age was below 14 when the last visa was issued. Now my child is over 14. Can he/she apply for interview-waiver along with the rest of the family?
Ans: Yes, your kid is eligible to apply for an interview waiver. If the interview is canceled, your child must still present at the US Embassy for a biometric session. If this applies to your child’s application, the consular division will contact you to for scheduling.
Q.10 Can I apply for an interview waiver if I am outside Nepal?
Ans: No, candidates must be present in Nepal in order to be eligible for an interview waiver.
FAQ – F, M, and Academic J Visa Processing and Expansion of Interview Waiver During COVID-19
Q.1 Which student applicants qualify for an interview waiver?
Ans: Applicants for F, M, or academic J visas may be eligible for an interview exemption. The applicant must have previously been granted a visa to the United States. Furthermore, an applicant’s most recent visa application cannot have been denied for any reason, and there must be no evidence of visa ineligibility.
First-time F, M, and academic J visa applicants who are residents or nationals of Visa Waiver Program nations and have no indication of possible visa ineligibility may be eligible as well. An candidate who has been turned down for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is ineligible for an interview waiver.
Q.2 Who decides who is qualified?
Ans: The decision to allow interview waiver will be made by embassies and consulates on a case-by-case basis.
Q.3 Where can I apply?
Ans: An applicant must be a citizen of the country in which he or she is applying.
Q.4 Do I still need to make an appointment?
Ans: For further information, please visit the website of your nearest embassy or consulate. In some cases, applicants may be required to schedule an interview waiver appointment in order to submit their passport, fingerprints, and supporting papers.
Q.5 What is the Visa Waiver Program?
Ans: The Visa Waiver Program allows most residents or nationals of participating nations to visit the United States for vacation or business for stays of 90 days or less without the need for a visa.
Q.6 What is an “academic” J visa?
Ans: Students, professors, academic researchers, short-term scholars, and experts engaging in an approved exchange program are eligible for an Academic J visa.
Q.7 Does this mean I will be guaranteed a visa?
Ans: No, the new policy exempts some F, M, and academic J visa applicants from the in-person interview requirement. Your visa application will be reviewed by a consular official, who may decide that an interview is required. All visa applications are handled on an individual basis. If an applicant is judged to be ineligible under the Immigration and Nationality Act or other provisions of US law, the consular officer may refuse the visa application.
Q.8 Will my spouse and minor children be eligible for interview waiver for their derivative F, M and J visas?
Ans: Yes, provided the original applicant qualifies, derivative visa applicants may also be eligible for an interview waiver.
Q.9 Where can I find more information?
Ans: More information on whether you qualify and how to schedule an appointment can be found at travel.state.gov and the website of your local US embassy or consulate.
Q.10 Do I need to get my fingerprints taken?
Ans: If you have previously been granted a visa to the United States, you will most likely not be required to provide your biometrics again. Biometrics may be necessary in specific cases, such as if the initial visa was issued before the applicant was 14 years old. Fingerprints will not be required for candidates from VWP nations prior to applying for an F, M, or academic J visa.
Q.11 How long will this policy last?
Ans: This policy will expire on December 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
Q.12 What if my prior U.S. visa is expired?
Ans: The new policy applies to anybody who has previously been awarded a visa to the United States, regardless of whether the previous visa has expired. Those whose most recent visa application was denied are ineligible.
Q.13 What if I had a visa refused, but my subsequent visa application was approved?
Ans: If a subsequent visa was granted and the applicant has no obvious visa ineligibilities, you may still be eligible for the interview waiver program.
Q.14 I’ve previously been issued a U.S. visa in a different category than F, M or academic J. Can I still qualify for the interview waiver program?
Ans: F, M, and academic J candidates who have previously received any type of U.S. visa may be eligible for the interview waiver program provided they are not otherwise ineligible.
Q.15 What is a National Interest Exception (NIE)?
Ans: A NIE permits a person who has been present in one of the 33 countries subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions to enter the US.
Q.16 How do I apply for a National Interest Exception?
Ans: After submitting their visa application, F and M candidates will be immediately considered for an NIE. For information on how to apply for an NIE, Academic J candidates should contact their local embassy or consulate.
FAQ – Track My Passport
Q.1 How will I get my passport back after the interview?
Ans: If your visa application is granted, you may pick up your passport and visa from the pickup place you specified when you arranged your interview. When your passport is ready for pickup at the designated location, you will get an email stating that it is “Ready for Pickup.”
Q.2 What do I need to show to pick-up the passport at the Embassy/Consulate?
Ans: To prevent your passport and visa from being given to unauthorized persons, you must present a government-issued photo ID when collecting your passport.
Q.3 What types of ID are acceptable as proof-of-identity?
Ans: You must present an original government-issued photo ID.
Q.4 Can someone besides me pick-up my passport?
Ans: Yes. However, even if they are family members, your representative must present the following in order to receive your passport:
For identification,
- They must have their own original government-issued picture ID.
- A photocopy of your government-issued picture identification
- A signed letter of authorization authorizing your agent to obtain your passport. The following information must be included in the letter of authority:
- The complete name of your representative as it appears on their government-issued picture ID
- Your name
The following documents are necessary if the applicant is under the age of 18.
- Original, signed authorisation letter from either of the applicant’s parents
- A clear photocopy of the parent who signed the applicant’s letter of authority’s government-issued picture ID.
- Original government-issued picture ID of the representative
Note: In the case of a group/family, a single letter of authorization including the necessary information for each application will be approved.
FAQ – Premium Delivery Services
Q.1 Is there any service for Passport Delivery/ Submission in Nepal other than Kathmandu?
Ans: For a charge of NPR 400, you may have your passport delivered/submitted to one of Nepal Investment Bank’s five Premium delivery sites in Biratnagar, Birgunj, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, and Narayangarh. If you want to use this service, select “Premium Delivery” on the document delivery page while arranging your appointment. There is no price to pay when you choose this service. At the time of delivery/submission of your passport, a charge of NPR 400 will be collected.
Q.2 How do I pay for this service?
Ans: As this is a cash-over-the-counter delivery service, you must pay a small cost of NPR 400 before to the delivery/submission of your passport. All applicable taxes are included in this charge.
Q.3 I have paid the premium delivery charges, how can I have the receipt of the payment?
Ans: The teller will present you with a payment receipt for this service once you have paid the charge at the NIBL cash counter.
Q.4 Can I opt for service after scheduling appointment or after attending visa interview?
Ans: You can choose this service until 1 p.m. the day before your interview. You must first login to your profile, and then select the city from where you wish to pick up or deliver the passport/documents on the Document Delivery page.
Q.5 I am applying together with my family, do I have to pay for all members?
Ans: Yes, for security reasons, each passport will be packaged and shipped individually, and you will be charged NPR 400 for each member.
Q.6 What do I need to show to the document delivery counter when they deliver my passport?
Ans: When you pick up your passport, you must present an original government-issued picture ID for verification for security reasons.
Q.7 What types of ID are acceptable as proof-of-identity?
Ans: For Security reasons, you must present an original government-issued photo ID.
Q.8 If I/ family member doesn’t have cash upon delivery/ submission can they pay the fee after delivery?
Ans: No, you must present your payment receipt before collecting/submitting documents at the document delivery desk.
Q.9 What happens to passports for applicants who miss paying on a Friday but need to travel on a Saturday?
Ans: All applicants, regardless of whether they choose regular or premium delivery, are recommended to plan ahead of time to prevent the possibility of not receiving the passport by the time of trip. Premium delivery places accept NPR 400 as payment at the time of delivery.
FAQ – Visa Document Packets and the Modernized Immigrant Visa (MIV)
Q.1 I recently had my immigrant visa interview at the embassy/consulate and received my passport and visa. However, I did not receive a packet of documents in a sealed envelope to take with me on the plane to the United States. My lawyer/petitioner/friends are saying that I can’t fly without one. What should I do?
Ans: Some immigrant visa applications are now being processed electronically by the Department of State. If you were requested to electronically submit your civil and financial supporting papers via the CEAC site by either the National Visa Center or the embassy/consulate that performed your visa interview, your visa was issued via the new electronic method. You are NOT needed to hand-carry a packet of documents in a sealed envelope to show at the U.S. Port of Entry unless specifically instructed by the embassy/consulate that interviewed you and issued the visa. You may be certain that your paperwork were electronically submitted from the Department of State to the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP), the department in charge of inspecting all immigrants entering the nation. When you arrive at the U.S. Port of Admission, CBP agents will have access to all of the information needed to process your entry into the country.
Q.2 I don’t remember if I submitted my civil and financial documents electronically or by mail. Is there another way to determine if my visa was issued under the paperless process?
Ans: Yes. Check your visa. If you do not require a packet of documents, your visa will have an annotation in the lower right corner of your photograph that states “IV DOCS in CCD.”
Q.3 I know other people that have received immigrant visas and they had to hand-carry and sealed envelope to the U.S. Port of Entry. Why is the process different for them?
Ans: In 2018, some immigrant visa applications were processed electronically. It will take several years to transition all sorts of immigration visas to computerized processing. Some immigrant visa holders will still need to hand-carry a packet of paperwork in a sealed envelope to the U.S. Port of Entry until the procedure is completed. These people’s visas will not have the annotation “IV DOCS in CCD” placed in the lower right hand corner.
FAQ – Application Profile
Q.1 How do I reset my password?
Ans: At the bottom of the US travel visa apply page, click the” Forgot Your Password? “Link. Enter your email address in the Username area and press the Submit button. The email address you enter must be the same as the one you used when you started your visa application. The new password will be sent to your account.
Please keep in mind that the email containing your new password will come from no-reply@ustraveldocs.com. Some email services feature filters direct unknown senders to the spam or junk mail bin. If you haven’t received your email notice, please check your trash and spam email boxes.
Q.2 What should I do if I move to another country after I have registered my profile on www.ustraveldocs.com and did not apply yet for my visa, or if I want to submit a new visa application in another country than my previous application?
Ans: If it is also handled by CGI, you do not need to create a new profile. Simply contact the embassy using the Contact Us part of their website and provide them with your passport number, UID, or email address so that they may recover and update your profile with the new country where you intend to apply for your US Visa.
If you apply in a country not served by CGI, you will be asked to establish a new profile. To reiterate, MRV fee receipts received in one nation are not transferable to the other.
