Apply for a visa at the American Embassy

The U.S. Embassy is the seat of the U.S. government representatives in a foreign country. It is headed by an ambassador, the representative of the U.S. President in the host country. The U.S. Embassy is usually located in the capital of the foreign country. There are sometimes branches, called U.S. consulates and headed by a consul, in other cities.

When a foreign national wishes to travel to the United States, he or she can apply for a U.S. visa to enter the United States. In order to apply for a visa, you must follow certain steps on the Internet and then conduct a final interview at the US Embassy. Unlike an ESTA authorization, which is done entirely via the Internet, it is the American embassy that is responsible for finalizing your visa application.

For a stay of less than 90 days in the United States: You can complete the formalities for entry into the United States directly by Internet by clicking on the online form. There is no need to make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or to obtain a visa.

Why go to the U.S. Embassy to apply for a visa

In general, a citizen of a foreign country wishing to visit the United States must first obtain a visa, either a non-immigrant visa for a temporary stay or an immigrant visa to, as the name suggests, immigrate and become a permanent resident.

The American visas most requested from the American Embassy are the following:

• the B1 business visa;
• B2 tourist visa;
• the J1 internship visa to do an internship in the USA;
• the F1 visa to study in the USA.

U.S. visa applicants must appear in person for the interview at the U.S. Embassy. You must make an appointment for this interview at the U.S. Embassy as soon as the online application acceptance process is complete.

Nationals of countries that are members of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may visit the United States without obtaining a visa.

The appointment at the US Embassy for the visa application

Appointments can usually be made within 3 to 5 days, but longer waits are to be expected in high season (June to August). In Paris, the consular services of the U.S. Embassy are located at 18 Avenue Gabriel, in the 8th arrondissement. For French or foreign nationals living in the city and the surrounding area, it is very easy to get there by metro.

Before your interview, you will need to have a number of documents ready:

• A valid passport (either biometric or electronic) for travel to the United States with a validity date that extends at least six months beyond your intended stay;
• receipt of payment of the usa visa application fee;
• the confirmation page of the DS-160 form (to be completed online in advance).

When you arrive at the American Embassy for your visa interview, you will need to pick up a ticket. Once your ticket number is displayed on the screens, you will have to go to a counter, where a person will ask you for your passport (a photocopy will be made), your DS-160 form, as well as your identity photos. Fingerprints will also be taken.

You will then be invited to meet with a U.S. representative for your U.S. visa interview. This can be done in English or sometimes in the local language. During this interview of only a few minutes, the agent will ask you questions such as:

• Why do you want to travel to the United States?
• In which field do you study / work?
• Why would you want to visit Louisiana?

You will have to explain in detail if you want to leave for a tourist stay or to expatriate. At the end of your interview, the officer will normally tell you if the usa visa is granted.

If this is the case, the American authorities at the American embassy will keep your passport and return it to you within 2 to 4 days, stamped.