The purpose of travel to the United States determines the type of visa that will be issued. A visitor (or tourist) visa is for short stays for visiting, tourism, or conducting business. A student visa is issued to those planning to study; an exchange visitor visa is issued to those going on special exchange programs including au-pair programs and summer work programs. For those wanting to work in the United States, there is an appropriate visa. IT IS ILLEGAL TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES ON A VISITOR VISA. If you want to work or study in the U.S., please contact the Embassy for information on how to apply for the appropriate visa. The following information is for those applying for a visitor visa.
Many people believe that it is very hard to get an American visa and that we refuse most applicants. Actually the majority of visa applicants receive a visa. The visa process is straightforward. Because business travel and tourism is good for the United States, we want people to be successful when they apply. The following information is provided to assist you in the application process.
The United States Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) governs the issuance of visas to foreigners wishing to travel to the United States. The type of visa issued depends on the purpose of the travel. A tourist visa is for short stays for the purpose of tourism, visiting, or conducting business.
Under the INA, all applicants for tourist visas are considered to be intending immigrants. To overcome this presumption, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have strong family, social, and/or economic ties to Estonia that will compel them to return at the end of their planned stay in the United States.
Tips for applying:
- Make sure the application is complete. Make sure that all 41 questions are answered on the form honestly and as completely as possible. We will not process an incomplete form. It is very important that the applicant signs and dates it on the back. If someone helped the applicant to fill out the form, he/she must also sign. The applicant is responsible for the information provided, even if someone else filled it out for him/her. Applicants should always verify that all the information presented is correct. False information can lead to the refusal of the visa. Do not present false or incorrect documents. Visa fraud (such as false letters of invitation, false employment information or bank certificates, altered passports) is a very serious offense, and can result in permanent ineligibility for a visa.
- What documentation to present: There is no list of required documents. An applicant should present documents that he/she feels will demonstrate his/her reasons for returning to Estonia. We do look for job letters and/or school letters. Family ties can also be important. Please do not submit original birth certificates, marriage certificates, car registration papers or photos. The Embassy will not be responsible if they are lost. In addition, we do not require invitation letters or proof of property or cars. Please try to keep the number of documents to the minimum. If we need something more, we will ask for it.
- Be prepared for the brief interview: The consular officer wants to know what the applicant is planning to do in the United States and whether or not he/she will return at the time indicated on the application form. Tourists should be able to explain clearly and succinctly their reason to visit the U.S., who and what they expect to visit, how long they will stay, and how they can afford the trip. Business visitors should be able to explain their ongoing relations with the company they will visit and why a visit in person is necessary.
