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Valid passport: The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of the traveler’s arrival in the United States. If it is expired, renew it before applying for the ESTA.
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E-mail address: Applicants must provide a valid e-mail address in order for the authorities to contact them about their application. The ESTA approval for the journey to the United States will arrive through email within 72 hours. While traveling, it is recommended that you print a copy of the document.
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Visa payment: Visa fees can be paid using a debit or credit card.
Visitors on a tourist visa can remain in the United States for up to six months. If you wish to stay longer, you need to ask for an extension. If your visa in the United States is no longer valid, you can request a renewal. If you keep fulfilling the requirements, you will obtain the same category of US visa. Having a legitimate explanation is necessary if you want to prolong your stay, like going on a holiday, seeing relatives or friends, or participating in a business or conference.
Applying for US Visa Renewal
The process of renewing a US visa is almost identical to the application process. You must do the following:
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Obtain and complete Form I-539, which is the Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status. This form is used for various types of non-immigrant visas, including tourist visas (B-2) and business visas (B-1).
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Gather the necessary supporting documents, such as a valid passport, current visa, proof of financial support, and any additional documents required based on your specific visa category.
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Submit the completed Form I-539 and supporting documents to the USCIS. The filing can typically be done by mail.
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Pay the US Visa Renewal Fee.
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In some cases, USCIS may require you to appear for a biometrics appointment to provide your fingerprints, photograph, and signature.
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Schedule an interview appointment at the US Embassy/Consulate.
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Enter the visa renewal interview.
After you submit your visa renewal application, it is necessary for you to go to the US embassy and have a meeting with a visa officer. They will ask questions about your trip, the reason for your visa request, and additional personal information like your income and connections. They will inquire about anything that will help them form an opinion. The processing time for a US visa depends on the type of visa being applied for. It could take from a few days to several months.
Swiss nationals have the option to submit an application for an ESTA, also known as Electronic System for Travel Authorization, under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA was founded in 2009 to handle information of travelers who arrived in the United States via the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The data is utilized to determine if a visitor presents a security or immigration threat to the United States. Swiss nationals holding a valid ESTA are allowed to travel to the United States for a maximum of 90 days for tourism, business, transit, medical reasons, or short-term study. If your stay in the United States exceeds 90 days, you are required to request either a B1 business or a B2 tourist visa. With an ESTA, Swiss citizens can visit the United States multiple times. An approved ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires. If your ESTA expires, you will need to apply for a new permit. Swiss citizens wishing to apply for ESTA must meet the required ESTA requirements. Since the US ESTA is linked directly to the passport, Swiss travelers do not need any additional documents to apply. The US ESTA application form is 100% online.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED?
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A valid travel document or passport in order to apply for ESTA US Visa.
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Clear digital photos taken as recently as possible.
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A valid email address, to receive the ESTA US Visa in their inbox.
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A valid credit or debit card or PayPal account to pay for the ESTA US Visa.
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A complete scan of the information page on the passport will need to be uploaded.
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Certificate of Health.
US VISA APPLICATION FORM ISSUES
Fill out the online State Department Form DS-160 when requesting a non-immigrant (temporary) visa like a visitor visa for the United States. Next, you will proceed to print it. However, imagine if you glance at the paper and realize that you have spelled your name incorrectly or mixed up your birthdate. It seems that there is no choice but to redo the form. Many people who want to travel abroad during the holidays may be unable to do so due to visa refusals, which are frequently the result of errors in the visa application.
Compare the information on the form to official documents
Candidates are required to complete a visa application form as outlined in their travel documents, including all necessary details. Providing incorrect details on the visa application form, like a name, passport number, or date of birth that doesn’t match the passport, is a frequently made error. Despite seeming straightforward, most individuals tend to provide information in writing that doesn’t match their official ID or identity verification. Any other way to write the person’s first and last names on official documents will result in your visa being issued with incorrect information.
Examine the country-specific checklist
Having a checklist can assist in creating a seamless application. One of the most frequent errors that applicants make is neglecting to consult the visa application checklist or a standardized checklist, resulting in the omission of necessary documents when submitting. Recognizing that every country has specific documentation needs is crucial. The VFS Global website provides a tailor-made document checklist for each specific country’s visa application. In the event that a single document is absent, a submission might be rejected. As a result, before applying for a visa, double-check your application information against the country-specific checklist.
Attest your bank statements
Applicants in some countries are required to provide certified bank statements. While most passengers are aware that giving bank statements is a standard procedure, failing to have these bank statements checked is a common error. Verified bank statements and good credit hygiene are required to confirm your financial capacity for the trip.
Ensure that the sponsor information is correct
The sponsor details, where applicable, help officials understand the applicant’s support structure in the country of travel, making these details critical to the visa decision. As a result, we must provide accurate information in the sponsor section of the Visa Application Form and relevant sponsorship documentation in accordance with the criteria of the destination country. While they may appear to be minor errors, they could result in a person’s visa being revoked. Include all requested information on the respective forms, as well as any required documents, to ensure a smooth and trouble-free visa application procedure. What is most important, however, is to begin the visa application procedure well in advance of the anticipated date of travel in order to leave enough time for the visa process.
In order to travel to the United States, you need to request a visa. Depending on why you are traveling to the United States, you have the option to acquire different types of travel permissions. Children and individuals under 14 years old are required to follow the same visa application process as adults. Although the laws and regulations for children’s visa applications are not as strict as those for adults, there are still specific requirements that must be met to obtain the visa. An ESTA is necessary for all individuals visiting the United States. Children must have a visa in order to travel to the United States. This holds true for kids of every age. Parents can apply for ESTAs on behalf of their children, and the ESTA will be linked to the child’s passport. Children and minors under the age of 14 do not have to go through the same application procedures as adults. Interviews, for example, are not required for youngsters. As you may be aware, having a successful interview and answering the questions accurately and truthfully is an essential part of the visa application process; however, this is not the case for children. Parents and legal guardians may apply for their minor children under the age of 14. When arranging an appointment, parents should list their children’s information as “Dependent.” When bringing your children to the United States, it is critical that you apply for an ESTA. In essence, you must apply for children’s ESTAs in the same way as you apply for your own. The US Visa for children is the same as for adults, and the identical US Visa Application Form is applicable for both. Anyone under the age of 18 who applies must have an adult assist them in answering the questionnaire’s questions. You can also file an ESTA group application with your complete family to expedite the procedure.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED?
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A valid travel document or passport in order to apply for ESTA US Visa.
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Clear digital photos taken as recently as possible.
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A valid email address, to receive the ESTA US Visa in their inbox.
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A valid credit or debit card or PayPal account to pay for the ESTA US Visa.
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A complete scan of the information page on the passport will need to be uploaded.
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Certificate of Health.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Atlas Story journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.