NON IMMIGRANT VISAS

How to apply for a Visa

U.S. Immigration Law presumes that every applicant for a nonimmigrant visa is an intending immigrant.  The burden of proof rests with the applicant to establish that he or she has a permanent residence abroad to which they fully intend to return after a temporary visit to the United States during which they will abide by their nonimmigrant status.

The U.S. Embassy interviews all persons applying to travel to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa. No appointment is necessary to apply for nonimmigrant visas.

The nonimmigrant visa section accepts applications Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, between 8:00 am and 10:00 am. It is closed to the public on Wednesdays.

DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Forms are available at evisaforms.state.gov.  The Consular Section is no longer accepting handwritten DS-156 applications.  Supplemental application forms (such as Form DS-157 and DS-158) are available in the consular waiting room and may be filled out by hand on the day of the interview.

Required documents

• a valid passport which must remain valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of arrival in the U.S.
• a $131 dollar processing fee or its equivalent in Tunisian dinars (cash only)
• a visa application DS-156 fully completed and signed (DS-157 and DS-158 if applicable) The application form (DS-156) should be completed online at  http://evisaforms.state.gov/
• a recent photo 2 inches square (50mm x 50mm) with a white background