How to Apply for a US Visitor Visa

Information for youth that lived in the U.S. without documents and that now live in Mexico and
want to return to the U.S. with a U.S. Visitor Visa.
Overview
Someone that is not a U.S. Citizen that wants to enter the United States generally must first obtain
a visa. This visa can be a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent
residence. Visitor visas are the nonimmigrant type of visas for people who want to enter the U.S.
temporarily for business (B-1) or visiting, tourism, pleasure (B-2). There is also a B1/B2 for a
combination of both of the purposes stated.
Examples:
Business Visas (B-1) can be granted if a person is going to:
-Consult with business associates
-Attend a scientific, educational, professional or business convention or conference
-Settle an estate
-Negotiate a contract
Tourism and Visit Visas (B-2) can be granted if a person is going to:
-Tourism
-Vacation (holiday)
-Visit Friends and Relatives
-Medical Treatment
-Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social or service organizations
-Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contest, if not being paid for
participating.
-Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree
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Activities NOT permitted on Visitors visas

-Study
-Employment
- Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
-Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
-Work as a foreign press, radio, film, journalists, and other information media.
-Permanent residence in the U.S.

How to Apply for a Visitor Visa.

This process has several steps. The order and details of these steps vary at the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate where the person applies.
Complete the Online Visa Application
-Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160)
1)Complete the online visa application
2) Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
-Photo
1) You will upload a photo when completing the DS-160 form.

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Twitter: @Dreaminmexico

Schedule an Interview
You must schedule an appointment for the interview. An interview can be scheduled at any U.S.
Embassy or Consulate.
People of certain ages may not be required to have an interview but consular officers have the
discretion to require an interview of any applicant.
If you are 13 years old or younger the interview is generally not required.
If you are 14 years old or older BUT younger than 79 years old the interview is required.
If you are 80 years old or older the interview is generally not required.

Prepare for your interview

-Fees you have to pay the non-refundable visa application fee.

Gather Required Documentation

You have to gather and prepare the required documents before your visa interview.
-

Passport (valid for a least six months beyond your period of stay in the US)
DS- 160 Form confirmation page (Nonimmigrant Visa Application
The receipt for the application fee payment.
Photo (uploaded onto the DS-160 form)

Additional Documentation may be required

Documents that include evidence
-

Purpose of your trip

Your intent to depart the U.S. after your trip
Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.

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Twitter: @Dreaminmexico

You must show evidence of your employment. You must show your family ties in your home
country in order to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country.
If you cant cover all the costs of the trip, you have to show evidence that another person will
cover all or some of the costs of the trip.
For Returnees (anyone that lived in the US and that now lives in Mexico) it is very important to
show intent to going back to Mexico.
There shouldnt be great emphasis about being a Dreamer (about living in the U.S. for a long time
without documents)
If you are a returnee you have to gather documents that show that you built a record in Mexico:
That you have a job in Mexico, that you are continuing your education in Mxico, that you have
financial security in Mexico, that you have friends and family in Mexico.
With the documents you have to show that you are reestablished in Mexico

Attend your Visa Interview.

You have to attend your interview. At your visa interview, an officer at the consulate will
determine whether youre qualified to receive a visa (which visa is appropriate based on your
purpose of travel will also be determined). You need to meet the requirements under U.S. law.
During the interview Returnees have to be Honest. It is important to say that you have been in the
U.S.
Phrases like I was a minor in the U.S. and I was taken to the U.S. when I was a child and It was
not my decision may help.
It does depend on the Consulate but most officers in the consulate want people to be honest and
take responsibility of being in the U.S. without documents.
Additional Information
-

Visitors to the U.S. are not permitted to accept employment or work in the U.S.
Do not make travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
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Facebook: Dream In Mexico
Twitter: @Dreaminmexico

If your visa application is denied:

There is a Waiver if the Visa is rejected: 212 D3 Waiver

Process:
-Apply for a Visa
-If they tell you that you have a 10 year ban (or another type of ban).
-Say you need a 212 D3 waiver
- They should give you a I192 form (585 dollars for the waiver)
Once you have been recommended for this waiver. They send it to Border Patrol in the U.S. where
it will be under review, which could take several months.

Information Retrieved from:

United States Department of State. Vistor Visa [Data file]. Retrieved from
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visit/visitor.html

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Facebook: Dream In Mexico
Twitter: @Dreaminmexico