How Do I Apply?
Visa interviews are by appointment only. If a group is planning to submit their applications together, each person must still schedule an individual appointment. Before scheduling an appointment, each applicant must first complete an application form online. After completing the online application form and printing it out (instructions below), an interview may be scheduled. Duplicate appointments are automatically deleted. We recommend you apply at least 90 days before your planned date of travel.
How do I Apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa?
1. Complete an Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp for non-immigrant visas online and print out your application.
All forms must be completed in English. Incomplete forms will not be accepted. If the question does not apply, write "none", "non-applicable", or "n/a".
IMPORTANT: When you have answered all the questions and clicked “Continue,” a completed form DS-156 will be created electronically (pictured, at right). You will need to print this form, including barcode page and all attached pages, and keep it with you. You will present this form when you appear at the Embassy on the day of your interview appointment.
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It is very important that the bar code on your application be readable (see image at right for help locating barcode). Unacceptable barcodes – those that cannot be read by our scanner due to poor printer quality and other factors – will not be accepted. Applicants will be asked to exit the Embassy and return with a readable barcode. |
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2. Schedule your visa appointment via our online appointment system https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=DMS&appcode=3
Before you can select an appointment date, you will be asked to enter the number printed below the barcode on your application (again, please see image at right for help locating the bar code and number).
attempt to make more than one appointment for the same application. If you do, both may be deleted.
3. A Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-157 http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79964.pdf, provides additional information about your travel plans. Submission of this completed form is required for all applicants.
4. Arrive on the day of your appointment at the Embassy of the United States with the following documents:
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Non-refundable application fee of USD $131 (please note fee must be paid in US currency)
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A passport valid for travel to the United States, valid for more than 6 months
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A copy of the personal data pages of the passport
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Fully completed and signed application EVAF forms (printed out as DS-156) for each applicant and DS-157 as explained above in step number 3.
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One photograph – less than 6 months old and set against a plain light background – for each applicant. Please glue your photo to the application. Do not staple.
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All prior passports.
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(optional) Any document that may provide additional evidence concerning the purpose of your travel and your ties to your country of residence.
U.S. law requires that applicants for a visitor visa establish that they have strong ties to their country of residence, which would compel them to return after a temporary visit to the United States.
Because most applications require additional administrative processing that may take several weeks, the Embassy urges applicants to apply for nonimmigrant visas well in advance of planned travel dates.
Please address all inquiries about nonimmigrant visas to the consular mailbox at
nivdamascus@state.gov, or visit our website at: http://damascus.usembassy.gov/
Note: Interviews may NOT be scheduled via telephone or email.