Applying for Visa at US Embassy, Tips and Tricks for a Smooth Visit

Are you planning to visit the United States? If so, you must prepare your visa long before your scheduled departure. US visa application is known to be rather finicky, so you definitely want to wait to do it. Let’s learn tips about making a successful visit to the US Embassy for a visa application.

Types of Visas

Source : Envato

There are various types of visas out there. Depending on the purposes, there are several visa categories that you should know:

Tourist 

The visa for tourists is called the B-2 visa. It is for tourists and other people who need to visit the U.S. for a short time. For example, the visa applies to people who go to the country for medical checkups or attend short business trips.

Residential

This type of visa is given to people who will reside in the U.S. for a longer period. They usually have relationships with U.S. citizens, whether via matrimony or adoption. 

Read More : A Guide to Embassy Jakarta

Student 

The visas for academic students are the F-1 and J-1. Students registered as full-time students in any accredited institution in the U.S. will get an F-1 visa. Meanwhile, the J-1 visa is for students in educational exchange programs.

Work

There are various types of work visas in the U.S. For example, the EB visa (five types of them) is for a permanent worker in a U.S. company. Meanwhile, temporary workers can get any visa depending on their objective of coming into the U.S. 

Tips for a Smooth Visit

Source : Envato

Visiting an embassy (or any government office) can be tiring. You have to make sure that you plan accordingly before the visit to make the trip as smooth as possible and not a waste of time. Here are 5 top tips for the visa application:

Book Your Appointment 

Get the U.S. Embassy phone number and start booking your appointment! The embassy handles hundreds and even thousands of people per day. If you do not make a reservation, there will be others in line before you. The consequence is you will not be done on time.

It is recommended to visit the embassy that is the closest to you. If you live closer to Bali than Jakarta, you should opt for U.S. Embassy Bali. It will save you travel costs and time.

Avoid Carrying Excess Items

Before entering the embassy building, a security guard will check your belongings. You should not bring excess items into the building. First, you will only be comfortable carrying a small and heavy bag. Moreover, the guard may seize some of your belongings.

Things that must be in your bag are only personal essentials and necessary documents for your visa application. It is also advised against carrying sharp items like scissors or paper cutters. The embassy suggests you bring a small purse instead of a large bag to simplify checking.

Read More : Cost of Living in Jakarta in 2023

Make Sure to Bring Important Documents 

You have gone through the trouble of making a U.S. Embassy visa appointment, so you should remember any document for the application process. The officer in the embassy will refuse to serve you despite the appointment if you do not have everything ready.

The basic documents you need to prepare are a passport (which should be valid for another six months before you depart for the U.S.), a profile photo, an itinerary in the U.S., proof of your savings or checking account, and a statement about your employment status.

Dress Comfortably But Neatly 

Do not wear clothes that will make you uncomfortable. You may need to wait for hours before your name gets called. It does not mean that you have to dress too casually. You still need to look prim in front of your interviewer at the US Embassy.

The standard casual Friday is a good attire for your visa interview. Avoid wearing something too tight and restrictive.

Prepare Your Answers Beforehand 

In an interview, you may be unable to form your words properly. It can be because you are nervous or simply because you have waited too long and are losing focus. 

Research the kinds of questions that the interviewer will usually ask an applicant. You need to prepare your answers before the visa interview. Usually, the interviewer will ask you about the purpose of visiting the U.S. and where you will be staying. Stay focused and keep calm.

Go to the US Embassy and get your visa. Applying for a visa may be the most time-consuming thing you will do in the process of going to the U.S. At least for the itinerary; you can easily make reservations from home. Making payments from Indonesia to the U.S. is also simpler because tools like Flip Globe exist.