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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.
Tourists holding a visa are allowed to stay in the US for a period of six months. To prolong your stay, you must request an extension. If your visa in the United States has expired, you are able to apply for a renewal. If you continue to meet the qualifications, you will receive the same type of US visa. If you want to extend your stay, it is essential to have a valid reason, such as vacationing, visiting loved ones, or attending a business event 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.
Following the submission of your visa renewal application, it is essential for you to visit the US embassy and meet with a visa officer. Inquiries will be made regarding your journey, the purpose of your visa application, as well as other personal details such as your earnings and affiliations. They will ask about whatever will assist them in shaping their perspective. The duration of processing a US visa varies based on the specific visa category being requested. It could take from a few days to several months.
Swiss citizens can choose to apply for an ESTA, which is also referred to as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, through the Visa Waiver Program. Established in 2009, ESTA was created to manage data of individuals traveling to the United States through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The information is used to establish whether a visitor poses a security or immigration concern for the United States. Swiss citizens with a valid ESTA can visit the United States for up to 90 days for purposes such as tourism, business, transit, medical treatment, or short-term study. If you plan to stay in the United States for more than 90 days, you must apply for either a B1 business visa 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
Complete the digital State Department Form DS-160 when applying for a non-immigrant (temporary) visa such as a tourist visa to visit the United States. Afterwards, you will go ahead and print it. But what if you look at the document and see that you’ve misspelled your name or confused your birthdate? It appears that there is no option other than 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 must fill out a visa application form as stated in their travel papers, providing all essential information. Making mistakes on the visa application form by providing inaccurate information, such as a name, passport number, or date of birth that does not align with the passport, is a common occurrence. Even though it appears simple, many people tend to give written information that does not align with 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
Using a checklist can help in developing a smooth application. One common mistake made by applicants is failing to refer to the visa application checklist or a standard checklist, leading to missing essential documents during submission. It is important to acknowledge that each country has unique requirements for documentation. The VFS Global website offers a personalized list of required documents for visa applications in individual countries. If one document is missing, the submission could be denied. 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.
To visit the United States, you must apply for a visa. Depending on the purpose of your trip to the United States, you can choose from various types of travel permits. Children and individuals who are under the age of 14 must adhere to the identical visa application procedure as adults. While children’s visa applications may not have as stringent laws and regulations as adult applications, there are still certain criteria that must be fulfilled in order to secure the visa. All people traveling to the United States must have an ESTA. Children need a visa to travel to the United States. This is applicable to children of all ages. 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 Tribune Digest journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.