What is a U.S. Visa?

In general, a U.S. visa is a sticker placed in a traveler's passport which gives that person the right to apply for admission into the U.S. Among the information printed on the visa are the category, the expiration date, and the number of entries allowed.

The category of a U.S. visa is determined by the purpose of travel (business, tourism, study, training, cultural exchange, sports, temporary employment, etc.). The category is important because it determines which rights or privileges a traveler may enjoy. For example, it is possible to work as an Au Pair in the U.S. on a cultural exchange visa, but not on a tourist visa.

The validity of the visa ends on the expiration date. It is important to note, however, that this date only determines the last date upon which a person may enter the U.S. It does not determine how long a person may stay in the U.S.; That decision is made by a U.S. Immigration officer when the traveler is entering the U.S. It should be noted, however, that the maximum duration of stay allowed varies according to the visa category. In some cases, the traveler may legally stay in the U.S. beyond the expiration date of the visa, but if he leaves the U.S. he must obtain a new visa in order to re-enter the country.

Information About Specific Types of U.S. Visas

Tourist Visas

Applicants for tourist visas must demonstrate that they are planning to travel as tourists, that they have sufficient funds to complete the trip, and that they intend to return home afterwards. (Persons who plan to visit relatives or friends in the U.S. are generally considered tourists.)

In addition to the general visa requirements, applicants for tourist visas must establish their purpose of travel. Invitations are no longer required.

Business Visas

Applicants for business visas must demonstrate that they plan to travel to the U.S. on bonafide business. This is often done by providing an invitation from a U.S. company as well as documents which establish an ongoing or proposed business relationship between that company and the Estonian side. Applicants may also be asked to demonstrate the U.S. company's existence and activity.

Applicants who own their own companies or businesses in Estonia should be prepared to demonstrate that their company exists and is operating. Legal ownership of a "paper company" does not guarantee one a visa. Tax documents, bank records, customs declarations, invoices, bills of lading, advertising brochures, etc., can be useful in demonstrating business activity.

Business visas are also available to persons who plan to travel to the U.S. to attend business meetings, seminars, trade shows, etc.

Exchange Visitor Visas

Exchange Visitor ("J") visas are available for persons traveling to the U.S. on approved student, work, or cultural exchange programs. Applicants must meet the requirements of the particular program which he or she has been offered and receive an approved form DS-2019 (former IAP-66) from the Program Administrator before applying for a visa.

The original DS-2019 must accompany the visa application. It will be attached to the passport together with the visa sticker. The DS-2019 is a part of the Exchange Visitor Visa and should be retained in the passport for the duration of the visitor's stay in the U.S.

Au Pair Visas

Applicants who wish to work in the U.S. as an au pair or nanny should contact an authorized representative of the U.S. Au Pair Cultural Exchange Program. That representative is responsible for admitting applicants to the program and for issuing the IAP- 66 forms which any prospective au pair will need to apply for an Exchange Visitor Visa. It is not legal to work in the U.S. as an au pair on a tourist, business, or student visa.
More on Exchange Visitor (J) Visas
Catalog of State Designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors
Additional Resources

Temporary Employment Visas (or Temporary Work Permits)

There are many types of visas available for temporary workers in the U.S. They include trainees, intercompany transferees, artistic or athletic performers, etc. These types of visas may only be issued based on a petition filed by a prospective employer in the U.S. and approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Therefore, individuals who wish to obtain one of these visas should request that their future employer in the U.S. contact his or her regional office of INS to file a petition. Once approved, that petition is sent to the Embassy and the applicant may apply for his or her visa.

Visa Requirements for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens Who Will Marry in the United States

A fiancé (e) who intends to marry in the United States and reside there afterwards requires a nonimmigrant category K visa.

The following criteria must be met in order to apply for a fiancé (e) visa:

one party is a United States citizen;

both parties are legally free to marry; and

the marriage will take place within 90 days of the alien fiancé(e) arriving in the United States.

If you meet the criteria described above, your U.S. fiancé (e) should file a petition, Form I-129F on your behalf with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) having jurisdiction over his/her place of residence in the United States. The form and filing instructions can be found on the USCIS website at http://uscis.gov. The petition must be filed with USCIS in the United States and processing of the petition can take several months. A separate petition is not required for any children under the age of 21 of the beneficiary of a fiancé (e) petition if the children are named in the fiancé (e) petition, Form I-129F.

The approved petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) in New Hampshire for additional processing before being forwarded to the Immigrant Visa Unit at this Embassy. On receiving the visa applicant's file from the NVC, the Immigrant Visa Unit will send the visa applicant the packet of forms that he or she is required to complete in connection with the administrative processing of the application.

On receipt of the completed visa application forms from the visa applicant and conformation that he/she has undergone the required medical examination, the Immigrant Visa Unit will complete any additional processing required and schedule an appointment for a formal visa interview.

It is important to note, that a fiancé(e) visa application will take several months to process. It is difficult to specify just how long it will take as individual circumstances vary. Please do not make any final travel arrangements until your visa has been issued.

The holder of a fiancé (e) visa is required to travel to the United States within 6 months of the visa being issued and then to marry within 90 days of their arrival in the country.

Permanent residency and employment: Once married, the holder of a fiancé (e) visa must apply for an adjustment of status from nonimmigrant to permanent resident of the United States (known as a Green Card holder) with his/her local office of the USCIS in the U.S. To begin with, conditional resident status is granted for a two-year period. An application must then be filed to have that conditional status removed. The USCIS will advise you further.

Your fiancé(e) visa does not, of itself, entitle you to work in the U.S., however the USCIS may grant permission for you to take up employment before your marriage takes place. To obtain employment authorization you will need to file form I-765 with the USCIS Service Center that covers your place of residence in the U.S immediately after your arrival there. Questions concerning employment should be directed to USCIS.

Other visa links:

More information about U.S. visa policy and procedures

Instructions for Applying for a Visa in Tallinn

Tips on Applying for a Visitor Visa

Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions