Applying for an American visa: everything you need to know about the process

All holders of a Brazilian passport need a visa to enter the United States, even if it's just for a few hours' stopover at the airport. The process for obtaining a visa is simple, but rigorous. That's why it's worth paying attention to each stage, organizing all your documents in advance and being punctual for the in-person phases. Here's some information you need to know to apply for an american visa:

Procedures

The first thing you need to apply for a US visa is a valid passport. Once you have it, the next step is fill in the DS-160 formThe procedure is online. You need to be very careful when filling in the form.

Any field that is answered incorrectly can jeopardize and hinder the process of withdrawing the document or even cause the visa to be denied. Filling in is bureaucratic. It is essential to save the form number, otherwise you will not be able to access the page again.

Once you have paid the slip, you must schedule the in-person steps. There are two, and they take place over two days. First you need to schedule a visit to the CASV (Visa Applicant Service Center). At this point, biometric data is collected and the visa photo is taken on site. All you need to show at the CASV is your passport and proof of your appointment.

The second day of the process takes place at Consulate of the United States to which you have applied in your form. In this part the documents that are required on the website are requested and an interview is also carried out. Children under the age of 14 and elderly people over the age of 80 are usually exempt from this stage, unless the consulate requests their attendance.

Interview

This is the most dreaded moment in the whole bureaucratic process of visiting or taking up residence in the United States. The consular interview is conducted in Portuguese and the agents are trained to avoid fraud during the visa process. For this reason, the procedure is rigorous.

In general, what you want to know when you apply for a temporary visa, whether for study, work, tourism, etc., is whether you are motivated to return to Brazil or whether you will try to stay in the country illegally.

That's why it's a good idea, even if it's not compulsory, to bring documents to support and prove what you're saying during the interview. For example, a letter stating that your children are enrolled in a regular school in Brazil, your income, a letter from the company you work for. But only present these documents if asked.

Despite the dreaded interview stage, Brazil has an exemplary record of approvals. Around 97% of visa applications are accepted.

Green Card

For people who want to apply for an American visa and get a green card, this information is important:

O United States Permanent Resident Cardis granted to immigrants in specific situations to establish residence in the USA. O a green card holder has basically the same rights as a US citizenThe only requirement is that the immigrant with the green card does not stay outside the United States for more than a year. Since it can be assumed that those who have a green card want to settle in the country.

You can get a residence permit in the USA in different ways:  

1. Through marriage to a US citizen. After 1 or 2 years the visa is granted.
2. By work. In the case of immigrants who work for companies that need scarce labor in the country, the visa can be granted over a period of 2 to 5 years.
3. With investments. This is one of the easiest ways to get a green card, which is a visa to stay in the United States. EB-5 visa program. With it you can get a visa for the whole family (children up to the age of 21). But for this you need to invest at least 500,000 dollars in businesses that generate jobs in the country.
4. By kinship. Family members of American citizens or duly legalized residents of the country can obtain a green card. The application must be made by the family member already resident in the country and can take from 2 to 8 years.
5. Drawing. Every year, the American government draws between 50 and 55 thousand green cards for immigrants from various countries considered to be underrepresented in the United States. Of course, to enter the lottery you need to meet certain requirements, such as having completed high school and having worked for at least two years in the last five years.  

Other types of visa

In addition to the above, you can also apply for a US visa for the following types of application:

• B-1 business visa. It is intended for citizens going to the USA for business purposes, such as fairs or exhibition halls, or for voluntary and academic work as a speaker or lecturer, provided that the activities are unpaid.
• B-2 tourist visa. It is also granted to patients undergoing medical treatment in the country
• C-1 transit visa. You must apply for flights with a stopover in the USA.
• F-1/F-2 student visa. For undergraduates, high school students, elementary school students and language schools. Documentation is required that the American school must provide to the visa applicant.
• J-1/J-2 exchange program. In cases where you have already been approved for an exchange program. The J-2 is for married people who want to be accompanied by their spouse during their studies.
• M-1/M-2 vocational student. For study in non-academic institutions.
• H temporary work. It is accepted in cases where the US company needs professionals and no one more qualified has been found in the country.
• L temporary work transferred. For cases where the employee already works for a multinational and is temporarily transferred to the US headquarters. They must also be in a managerial position or perform highly qualified and specific work and have been with the company for at least one year.

Our relationship agents have extensive experience in the whole bureaucratic process of scheduling visas and planning to take up residence in the United States. Contact us and we can answer all your questions.

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