« BackStep by Step Instructions B2 visa 22.06.2016 00:00Step by Step Instructions How the American Embassy in your Home Country determines which applications they Accept or Reject The list of Supporting Documents to accompany your application Understanding Section 214b A sample Letter of Invitation A sample Letter of Support A sample Travel Itinerary How to Complete Nonimmigrant Visa Application - Form DS-160 Section 1: Getting Started Section 2: Personal Information Section 3: Address and Phone Section 4: Passport Section 5: Travel Information Section 6: Travel Companions Section 7: Previous U.S. Travel Section 8: U.S. Point of Contact Section 9: Family Information Section 10: Work / Education / Training Section 11: Security and Background Section 12: Uploading your Photo Section 13: Review and Submit Section 14: E-Signature Section 14: Submit and Retain your Confirmation Page How to change status once you are in the U.S. How to extend your B-2 Visa The List of American Embassies and Consulates Sample Completed Forms: • Sample Form 1-134— Affidavit of Support • Sample Form 1-539 — Application to extend / change nonimmigrant status Blank / Fillable / Editable Forms Sample USCIS Form I-134 – Affidavit of Support https://www.uscis.gov/i-134 Sample USCIS Form I-539 - Application to Extend/Change nonimmigrant status https://www.uscis.gov/i-539 About the B-2 Tourist Visa DESCRIPTION The visitor for pleasure (tourist) visa allows foreign visitors to enter the United States for a temporary visit for pleasure or tourism purposes. The visa may be issued in either single entry or multiple entry formats. The visa may also be issued for a limited time frame or on an indefinite basis. ADVANTAGES No Sponsor Required: Any foreign person may file an application for a tourist visa without the necessity of a United States sponsor. Ease of Application: The application itself is filed directly at the United States consulate abroad and typically a decision is made on an immediate or short term basis. Change of Status: While present in the United States, should the visitor~s intentions change as a result of post-admission circumstances, it is possible to seek a change of status to other non-immigrant classifications. REQUIREMENTS Valid Passport: The visa is issued by placement within a valid passport. Non-Immigrant Intent: The foreign national must satisfy the consular officer that he will return abroad upon the completion of his temporary visit for pleasure and will not engage in unauthorized employment in the United States. Financial Capability: The visa will only be issued to applicants who can demonstrate the financial resources that would accommodate round trip travel to and from the United States as well as payment of all living expenses during the temporary visit. LIMITATIONS Limited Stay: The B-2 visa allows the temporary visitor to enter the United States for an initial stay of no more than six months. Limited Accessibility: The B-2 visitor is expected to maintain his residence abroad. Many Border Patrol agents interpret this to mean that the visitor should, over the long course, average no more than six months per year in the United States. While it is possible to obtain a six month extension, and then depart the country and re-apply for admission immediately, the inspecting Immigration officer may deny admission for failure to maintain sufficient presence abroad. No Employment: No employment is authorized in the United States while present on a B-2 visitor’s visa. Family Not Included: Each family member must apply for and receive his own B- 2 visa in order to enter the United States. SUGGESTED DOCUMENTATION WHEN APPLYING The documentation submitted in a B-2 application should demonstrate the temporariness of the trip, an intention to return to an unabandoned foreign residence and financial ability to support oneself during the period of stay requested. This may include the following: Ownership or lease documents for the alien’s residence in the home country; Evidence of work, studies, or activities to be resumed upon the alien’s return to the home country; Evidence of family members left behind in the home country; Evidence of other businesses or holdings in the home country; Documentation of the temporariness of the visit; A round-trip ticket; A travel itinerary; Evidence that the alien will be re-admitted to Canada after the trip (if that is where the alien intends to return); A letter from friends, relatives or others in the United States inviting the alien and detailing the length and purpose of the stay (an immigrant visa appointment letter from the Canadian consulate is necessary if that is the purpose of the alien’s entry); and Bank records or other documents, showing money on hand that demonstrates the alien’s ability to afford the trip. Step by Instructions Step 1. Make Travel Arrangements through a Travel Agent and obtain an Itinerary. Step 2. Gather the Supporting Documents. Step 3. Complete Form DS 156. Step 4. Apply for your B-2 Tourist Visa at the nearest American Embassy. How the American Embassy in your Home Country determines which applications they Accept or Reject: The embassy official must be convinced of the following: 1. You are going to the U.S. for a vacation. 2. You have enough money to support yourself while in the U.S. 3. You are going to come back to your home country. List of Supporting Documents to Bring to the Embassy when you Apply for the B-2 Tourist Visa • Copy of your Passport • Letter of Invitation from Friend or Relative in the U.S. (if applicable) • Travel Itinerary from Travel Agency • Copy of Airline Tickets, Including Return Flight • Evidence of Financial Support • Bank Statement • Letter of Support from Friend or Relative • Copy of Lease or Mortgage on Apartment or Home • Letter from employer stating when you are due back at work (if applicable) • Evidence from school stating that you are registered and paid for classes and when they begin (if applicable) Understanding Section 214b The United States is an open society. Unlike many other countries, the United States does not impose internal controls on most visitors, such as registration with local authorities. In order to enjoy the privilege of unencumbered travel in the United States, aliens have a responsibility to prove they are going to return abroad before a visitor or student visa is issued. Our immigration law requires consular officers to view every visa applicant as an intending immigrant until the applicant proves otherwise. WHAT IS SECTION 214(b)? Section 214(b) is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It states: Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status... To qualify for a visitor or student visa, an applicant must meet the requirements of sections 101 (a)(1 5)(B) or (F) of the INA respectively. Failure to do so will result in a refusal of a visa under INA 214(b). The most frequent basis for such a refusal concerns the requirement that the prospective visitor or student possess a residence abroad he/she has no intention of abandoning. Applicants prove the existence of such residence by demonstrating that they have ties abroad that would compel them to leave the U.S. at the end of the temporary stay. The law places this burden of proof on the applicant. Our consular officers have a difficult job. They must decide in a very short time if someone is qualified to receive a temporary visa. Most cases are decided after a brief interview and review of whatever evidence of ties an applicant presents. WHAT CONSTITUTES “STRONG TIES”? Strong ties differ from country to country, city-to-city, individual to individual. Some examples of ties can be a job, a house, a family, a bank account. “Ties” are the various aspects of your life that bind you to your country of residence: your possessions, employment, social and family relationships. As a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, imagine your own ties in the United States. Would a consular office of a foreign country consider that you have a residence in the United States that you do not intend to abandon? It is likely that the answer would be “yes” if you have a job, a family, if you own or rent a house or apartment, or if you have other commitments that would require you to return to the United States at the conclusion of a visit abroad. Each person’s situation is different. Our consular officers are aware of this diversity. During the visa interview they look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural and other factors. In cases of younger applicants who may not have had an opportunity to form many ties, consular officers may look at the applicants specific intentions, family situations, and long-range plans and prospects within his or her country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law. IS A DENIAL UNDER SECTION 214(B) PERMANENT? No. The consular officer will reconsider a case if an applicant can show further convincing evidence of ties outside the United States. Your friend, relative or student should contact the embassy or consulate to find out about reapplication procedures. Unfortunately, some applicants will not qualify for a nonimmigrant visa, regardless of how many times they reapply, until their personal, professional, and financial circumstances change considerably. HOW CAN I HELP? You may provide a letter of invitation or support. However, this cannot guarantee visa issuance to a foreign national friend, relative or student. Visa applicants must qualify for the visa according to their own circumstances, not on the basis of an American sponsor’s assurance. WHAT CAN YOU DO IF AN AQUAINTANCE IS REFUSED A VISA UNDER 214(B) FOR LACK OF A RESIDENCE ABROAD? First encourage your relative, friend or student to review carefully their situation and evaluate realistically their ties. You can suggest that they write down on paper what qualifying ties they think they have which may not have been evaluated at the time of their interview with the consular officer. Also, if they have been refused, they should review what documents were submitted for the consul to consider. Applicants refused visas under section 214(b) may reapply for a visa. When they do, they will have to show further evidence of their ties or how their circumstances have changed since the time of the original application. It may help to answer the following questions before reapplying: (1) Did I explain my situation accurately? (2) Did the consular officer overlook something? (3) Is there any additional information I can present to establish my residence and strong ties abroad? Your acquaintances should also bear in mind that they will be charged a nonrefundable application fee each time they apply for a visa, regardless of whether a visa is issued. WHO CAN INFLUENCE THE CONSULAR OFFICER TO REVERSE A DECISION? Immigration law delegates the responsibility for issuance or refusal of visas to consular officers overseas. They have the final say on all visa cases. By regulation the U.S. Department of State has authority to review consular decisions, but this authority is limited to the interpretation of law, as contrasted to determinations of facts. The question at issue in such denials, whether an applicant possesses the required residence abroad, is a factual one. Therefore, it falls exclusively within the authority of consular officers at Foreign Service posts to resolve. An applicant can influence the post to change a prior visa denial only through the presentation of new convincing evidence of strong ties. Sample Letter of Invitation John Smith 123 Elm Street Anytown, NY 11223 USA Sergei Bubka 1410 Centre Street Moscow, Russia Dear Sergei, This letter is a formal invitation for you to visit our family here in New York. You may present this letter to the embassy in Moscow as well as the USCIS officer at LaGuardia Airport here in New York. Sergei, we have been friends since our families met while we were vacationing in Europe 15 years ago. Your trip here to visit us is long overdue. You and your family will be staying at our house as our welcome guests for the duration of your six-month stay in the U.S. Lidya and I cannot wait to see you, Natasha and Boris. Sincerely, John Smith Sample Letter of Support John Smith 123 Elm Street Anytown, NY 11223 USA To whom it may concern, I, John Smith, am stating that I will provide financial support for the family of Sergei Bubka while they visit me at my home here in New York. I am attaching: Last years Federal tax Return as Proof of Income. A copy of my financial statement prepared by my accountant. A copy of my mortgage to show evidence of ownership. A recent Bank Statement to show available funds. Sincerely, John Smith Sample Travel Itinerary This document needs to be on the Travel Agency Letterhead. It must include: Departure dates. Arrival dates. Airline Flight Numbers and Times. Name of Airline Name of Hotels with dates of reservation and reservation numbers The dates should span the entire time of your requested stay (six month maximum). How to Complete Form DS-160 In this step you will complete and submit your DS-160 application online. Electronically submitting your DS-160 online application is only the first step in the visa application process. Once you have electronically submitted your DS-160 online application, you must contact the embassy or consulate at which you wish to apply to confirm whether you need to be interviewed by a consular officer, and to schedule an interview. Before starting your application, please make sure you have the following: An Internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption, and has JavaScript enabled. Currently, we support Internet Explorer version 6.0 and higher, and Mozilla Firefox version 2.0 or higher. Your passport and any previous U.S. visas you have had. Documentation about your travel plans. Getting Started Step 1: Click here: https://ceac.state.gov/GENNIV/Default.aspx Step 2: Select your Region Step 3: Select your tooltip language. Step 4: Have your Digital Photo ready for upload. Step 5: Click Start Application. NOTE: If you stop working on this application for more than 20 minutes, your session will expire and you will have to start over, unless you have recorded your Application ID Number or have saved your application to a file on your computer. Step 6: Click Start Application. Step 7. Record your Application ID in a safe place. Step 8: Choose a security Question. Click Continue. You are now ready to start completing the DS-160. You will be asked to complete 11 sections: Personal Address and Phone Passport Travel Travel Companions Previous US Travel U.S. Contact Family Work / Education / Training Security and Background Personal Information Surnames: This is your last name. Enter all surnames as listed in your passport. If only one name is listed in your passport, enter that Surname. Example: Bajraktari Given Names: This is your First Name. If your passport does not include a given name, please enter 'FNU' in Given Names. This stands for "First Name Unknown". Example: Ganimete. Full Name in Native Alphabet. If unable to enter, please select: Does Not Apply/Technology Not Available. Have you ever used other names (i.e., maiden, religious, professional, alias, etc.)? Other names used include your maiden name, religious name, professional name, or any other names which you are known by or have been known by in the past. Example: No. Do you have a telecode that represents your name? Answer Yes or No. Example: No. Telecodes are 4 digit code numbers that represent characters in some non-Roman alphabet names. Sex. Enter Male or Female. Example: Male Enter your Marital Status. Example: Single. Date and Place of Birth. Format is (DD/MM/YYYY (Example: 30/09/1980). If day or month is unknown, enter as shown in passport. City of Birth. Example: Tirana. State/Province of Birth. Example: Tirana. Place of Birth. This refers to your Country of Birth. Example: Albania. Select the name that is currently in use for the place where you were born. Click "Next". Nationality: Example: Albania Do you hold or have you held any nationality other than the one indicated above on nationality? Example: No. National Identification Number. Enter your National Identification Number, or check "Does not apply" Example: 44562 U.S. Social Security Number: Enter your U.S. Social Security Number, or check "Does not apply" Example: Does not Apply. U.S. Taxpayer ID Number: Enter your U.S. Taxpayer ID Number, or check "Does not apply". Example: Does not Apply. Click "Next". Address and Phone Information Street Address, Line 1: Example: 123 Play Street Street Address, Line 2: This field is optional. City: Example: Tirana State / Province: Example: Tirana Country: Example: Albania. Mailing Address Is your Mailing Address the same as your Home Address? Example: Yes. Phone: Example: 1125-6632 Primary Phone #: You must provide a primary phone number. The primary phone number should be the phone number at which you are most likely to be reached; this could be a land line or a cellular/mobile number. If you have an additional land line or a cellular/mobile number please list that as your secondary phone number. Secondary Phone #: Example: Does not Apply. Work Phone #: Example: Does not Apply. Email Address: Example: grt@mail.com Passport Information Passport / Travel Document Type. Example: Regular Passport / Travel Number: Enter the information on the travel document you will be using when traveling to the U.S. Your travel document should be a valid, unexpired passport or other valid, unexpired documentation that is sufficient to establish your identity and nationality. Passport Book Number: The Passport Book Number is commonly called the inventory control number. You may or may not have a Passport Book Number on your passport. The location of the Passport Book Number on your passport may vary depending on the country that issued your passport. Please contact your passport issuing authority if you are unable to determine whether or not your passport contains a Passport Book Number. Country that issued the Passport / Travel Document. Example: Albania Where was the Passport/Travel Document Issued? City: Example: Tirana State: Example: Tirana Country: Example: Albania Issuance Date: (Format: DD-MM-YYYY) Example: 03/03/2010 Expiration Date: (Format: DD-MM-YYYY) Example: 02/03/2017 Have you ever lost a passport or had one stolen? Example: No. Travel Information Purpose of the trip to the US: Example: TEMP. BUSINESS PLEASURE VISITOR Specify: Example: BUSINESS/CONFERENCE (B1) Have you made specific travel plans? Enter yes or no. If you enter yes, you will be prompted to complete the following: Provide a complete itinerary of your travel to the US. Date of arrival in the US: (Format: DD-MM-YYYY) Example: 15/01/2012 Arrival Flight (if known). Example: 4114 Arrival City: Example: New York Date of departure from US: (Format: DD-MM-YYYY) Example: 15/02/2012 Departure Flight (if known). Example: 4125 Departure City: Example: New York Provide the locations you plan to visit in the U.S.: Example: New York, NY Address where you will stay in the U.S.: Street Address 1: Example 100 Park Avenue City: Example: New York State: Example: NY Zip Code: Example 10015 Person / Entity Paying for your trip: If you enter OTHER COMPANY/ORGANIZATION, provide the following information: Name of Company / Organization paying for your trip. Example: CECO Research Institute Telephone #: Example: 111-22-5566 Relationship to you: Example: Employer. Address of Company/Organization Paying: Street Address 1: Example: 46 Wallax Avenue City: Example: Tirana State: Example: Tirana Zip Code: Example 110-225 Travel Companions Information Persons traveling with you You should answer Yes to this question if you are traveling with family, as part of an organized tour, or as part of a performing group or athletic team. You do not need to list individuals who are traveling with you for the purposes of employment with the same employer. Are there other persons traveling with you? Example: No. Previous U.S. Travel Information NOTE: Provide the following previous U.S. travel information. Provide complete and accurate information to all questions that require an explanation. Have you ever been in the U.S.? Example: No. If you answer Yes, a dropdown box will appear asking you to answer: Date arrived Length of Stay If you are unsure about when you visited the U.S., please provide a best estimate. Have you ever been issued a U.S. Visa? Example: No. If you answer Yes, a dropdown box will appear asking you to answer: Date Last Visa was issued. Visa # (Enter the 8-digit number that is displayed in red on the lower right hand side of your visa. If your previous visa was a Border Crossing Card enter the last 12-digit number of the first line of the machine readable zone.) Are you applying for the same type of visa? Have you been ten-printed? Ten-printed means that you have provided fingerprints for all your fingers, as opposed to having provided only two fingerprints. Example: No Has your U.S. Visa ever been lost or stolen? If you answer Yes, you will be prompted to answer the year stolen and a text box to provide an explanation. Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa, been refused admission to the United States, or withdrawn your application for admission at the port of entry? Example: No. If you answer Yes, you will be prompted with a text box to provide an explanation. Has anyone ever filed an immigrant petition on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services? Example: No. If you answer Yes, you will be prompted with a text box to provide an explanation. U.S. Point of Contact Information Your U.S. Point of Contact can be any individual in the U.S. who knows you and can verify, if necessary, your identity. If you do not personally know anyone in the U.S., you may enter the name of the store, company, or organization you plan to visit during your trip. Contact Person or Organization in the United States Surnames: This is the last name of your U.S. Point of Contact. Example: Smith Given Names: This is the first name of your U.S. Point of Contact. Example: Dennis Address and Phone Number of Point of Contact U.S. Street Address (Line 1). Example: 50 West 10th Street City: Example: New York State: Example: NY Zip: Example: 10001 Phone Number: Example: (212) 111-1111 Email Address: Example: contactname@mail.com Family Information: Relatives NOTE: Please provide the following information concerning your biological parents. If you are adopted, please provide the following information on your adoptive parents. Father's Full Name and Date of Birth Surnames: Example: Cuballa Given Names: Example: Juan Is your father in the U.S.? example: No. Mother's Full Name and Date of Birth Surnames: Example: Sanchez Given Names: Example: Wanda Is your mother in the U.S.? Example: No. Do you have any immediate relatives, not including parents, in the United States? Example: No. Immediate Relatives means fiancé/fiancée, spouse (husband/wife), child (son/daughter), or sibling (brother/sister). Do you have any other relatives in the United States? Example: No. Present Work/Education/Training Information NOTE: Provide the following information concerning your current employment or education. Primary Occupation: Example: Engineering Present Employer or School Name. Example: CECO Research Institute. Street Address 1: Example: 46 Wallax Avenue City: Example: Tirana State: Example: Tirana Zip Code: Example 110-225 Phone #: Example: 055-66358 Country: Example: Albania. Monthly Income in Local Currency (if employed): Example: ALL 4000 Briefly describe your duties: Example: Research Associate. Research traffic patterns and propose solutions to traffic problems. Were you previously employed? Example: No. Have you attended any educational institutions at a secondary level or above? Example: Yes. Provide the following information on the educational institution(s) you have attended. Name of Institution: Example: University of Albania Street Address (Line 1): Example: 34 Wither Way City: Example: Tirana Country: Example: Albania Course of Study: Example: Engineering Date of Attendance From: (Format: DD-MMM-YYYY). Example: 10-SEP- 2006 Date of Attendance To: (Format: DD-MMM-YYYY). Example: 15-JUN- 2010 Do you belong to a clan or tribe? Example: No. Provide a List of Languages You Speak: Example: Albanian. Have you traveled to any countries within the last five years? Example: Yes, Australia. Have you belonged to, contributed to, or worked for any professional, social, or charitable organization? Example: Yes, Albanian Engineering Society. Do you have any specialized skills or training, such as firearms, explosives, nuclear, biological, or chemical experience? Example: No. Have you ever served in the military? Example: No. Have you ever served in, been a member of, or been involved with a paramilitary unit, vigilante unit, rebel group, guerrilla group, or insurgent organization? Example: No. Security and Background: Part 1 NOTE: Provide the following security and background information. Provide complete and accurate information to all questions that require an explanation. A visa may not be issued to persons who are within specific categories defined by law as inadmissible to the United States (except when a waiver is obtained in advance). Are any of the following applicable to you? While a YES answer does not automatically signify ineligibility for a visa, if you answer YES you may be required to personally appear before a consular officer. Do you have a communicable disease of public health significance? (Communicable diseases of public significance include chancroid, gonorrhea, granuloma inguinale, infectious leprosy, lymphogranuloma venereum, infectious stage syphilis, active tuberculosis, and others diseases as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.) Example: No. Do you have a mental or physical disorder that poses or is likely to pose a threat to the safety or welfare of yourself or others? Example: No. Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict? Example: No. Security and Background: Part 2 Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty, or other similar action? Example: No. Have you ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances? Example: No. Are you coming to the United States to engage in prostitution or unlawful commercialized vice or have you been engaged in prostitution or procuring prostitutes within the past 10 years? Example: No. Have you ever been involved in, or do you seek to engage in, money laundering? Example: No. Have you ever committed or conspired to commit a human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States? Example: No Have you ever knowingly aided, abetted, assisted or colluded with an individual who has committed, or conspired to commit a severe human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States? Example: No Are you the spouse, son, or daughter of an individual who has committed or conspired to commit a human trafficking offense in the United States or outside the United States and have you within the last five years, knowingly benefited from the trafficking activities? Example: No. Security and Background: Part 3 Do you seek to engage in espionage, sabotage, export control violations, or any other illegal activity while in the United States? Example: No. Do you seek to engage in terrorist activities while in the United States or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities? Example: No. Have you ever or do you intend to provide financial assistance or other support to terrorists or terrorist organizations? Example: No. Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization? Example: No. Have you ever ordered, incited, committed, assisted, or otherwise participated in genocide? Example: No. Have you ever committed, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in torture? Example: No. Have you committed, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in extrajudicial killings, political killings, or other acts of violence? Example: No. Have you ever engaged in the recruitment or the use of child soldiers? Example: No. Have you, while serving as a government official, been responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom? Example: No. Have you ever been directly involved in the establishment or enforcement of population controls forcing a woman to undergo an abortion against her free choice or a man or a woman to undergo sterilization against his or her free will? Example: No. Have you ever been directly involved in the coercive transplantation of human organs or bodily tissue? Example: No. Security and Background: Part 4 Have you ever sought to obtain or assist others to obtain a visa, entry into the United States, or any other United States immigration benefit by fraud or willful misrepresentation or other unlawful means? Example: No. Security and Background: Part 5 Have you ever withheld custody of a U.S. citizen child outside the United States from a person granted legal custody by a U.S. court? Example: No. Have you voted in the United States in violation of any law or regulation? Example: No. Have you ever renounced United States citizenship for the purposes of avoiding taxation? Example: No. Upload Photo Click here for the photograph requirements: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html Select Your Photo Click the "Browse" button and choose a JPEG format image (i.e., .jpg file type) that is 240 KB or less in file size. You may get an error that states: The submitted photo did not meet the image quality requirements. To continue without a photo, click, continue without a photo. Review In this part you review and may edit each section. Sign and Submit Read the following information carefully before dating, electronically signing and submitting the application. Your application is now ready to be submitted. Please note that this does not necessarily mean that your application for a nonimmigrant visa is complete, as additional information may be needed after Department of State personnel have reviewed the application. By clicking “Sign and Submit Application” you are electronically signing the application. You are required to electronically sign your application yourself, unless otherwise exempt by regulation, even if the application has been prepared by someone other than yourself. Your electronic signature certifies that you have read and understood the questions in this application and that your answers are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief. The submission of an application containing any false or misleading statements may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or the denial of entry into the United States. All declarations made in this application are unsworn declarations made under penalty of perjury. (28 U.S.C. 1746). The information that you have provided in your application and other information submitted with your application may be accessible to other government agencies having statutory or other lawful authority to use such information, including for law enforcement and immigration law enforcement purposes. The photograph that you provide with your application may be used for employment verification or other U.S. law purposes. Did anyone assist you in filling out this application? Example: No. E-Signature: I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Enter your Passport/Travel Document Number: Example: 1123659 Enter the captcha code as shown. Click the button to electronically sign your application You will receive a confirmation number and confirmation page. How to Change Status once you are in the U.S. You are able to change status from B-2 Visa status to a number of other visas, mot notably: F-1 Visa - Student Status H-1B Visa - Professional Worker Status It is recommended you wait four (4) months before applying for the F-1 Student Visa. How to extend your B-2 Visa 1) Complete the USCIS Form 1-539 2) Gather the following documents: • A copy of your passport • A copy of your visa in your passport • A copy of your I-94 Arrival and Departure Record • A letter stating your intention to return to your home country when your extension expires • A copy of a bank statement showing adequate funds (minimum of $3,000 is suggested) • A copy of a return airline ticket • A check for $290 made payable to Department of Homeland Security. 3) Send the application and documents to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility: The USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility: For U.S. Postal Service: USCIS P.O. Box 660166 Dallas, TX 75266 For Express mail and courier deliveries: USCIS ATTN: I-539 2501 S. State Highway 121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX 75067 United States Embassies and Consulates Abroad For updated Embassy and Consulate Information, please visit the following websites: http://usembassy.state.gov/ http://travel.state.gov/links.html Sample Forms 1-134 - Affidavit of Support 1-539 - Application to Extend/Change nonimmigrant status Blank / Fillable / Editable forms Sample USCIS Form I-134 – Affidavit of Support https://www.uscis.gov/i-134 Sample USCIS Form I-539 - Application to Extend/Change nonimmigrant status https://www.uscis.gov/i-539 |