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U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv on Twitter
עברית
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Nonimmigrant
Visas
General Information
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Arrival-Departure Record (I-94)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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or Mutilated Visas
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Business/Tourist
Visitor (B1/B2)
FAQ
Before the Interview
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FAQ
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: B1/B2 Business/Tourist Visas
How do I qualify for a B1/B2 visa?
A qualified applicant for a U.S. non-immigrant visa is able to demonstrate binding social, familial, and/or economic ties to Israel which, in the opinion of the consular officer, constitute a compelling need to return to Israel after a temporary visit to the United States. Under section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, each applicant for a nonimmigrant visa is assumed to be intending to immigrate to the United States until the applicant provides sufficient evidence to the contrary. Applicants applying for B1/B2 visas must also prove that they are traveling only for business or pleasure and not intending to work in the United States. For more information on how to prove your ties to Israel, please see the section on required documents that can accompany a visa application.
When should I apply for a visa?
The length of time between the date you submit your application and the date on which your interview will be scheduled varies depending upon the number of visa applicants at that time. We recommend you submit your application at least one month prior to your desired departure date and earlier if you plan to travel during the summer or the holiday seasons. See How to Apply for more information.
For typical appointment wait and processing times -- Click here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php
All applicants should be aware that the times given are current averages, and are subject to sharp seasonal fluctuations. Processing wait time DOES NOT include the time required for additional processing or special requirements. In such cases, processing wait time will vary based on the individual circumstances of each application.
How do I schedule a visa interview?
You must schedule your visa interview on the Internet at http://VisaInfo.US-Visaservices.com. Please see How to Apply for more information.
Is it possible to change my interview date?
If you need to change the date of your visa interview, you can reschedule on the Internet at http://VisaInfo.US-Visaservices.com using the user name and password you set when you first scheduled the interview. You may change your appointment date up to two times before you will need to purchase a new pin for the system.
In case of a medical emergency, please contact us, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Where do I get the visa application forms?
When you set your interview date on http://VisaInfo.US-Visaservices.com, you will be able to fill out and print the necessary visa application forms. Be sure that you have filled out all the forms to bring to your interview. If you lose the forms, you can return to the Internet site with your password to reprint them. These forms are also available on this Web site.
What documents do I need to apply for a visa?
Please see B1/B2 required documents for a list of documents that may be helpful when applying for a visa.
Does my child need a visa?
Yes. All Israeli citizens require a visa to visit the United States, regardless of age. For children under the age of fourteen, as well as adults 80 or older, follow the procedures outlined in How to Apply . Children over the age of 14 will need to follow regular application procedures.
How long does it take to get a visa?
The exact length of time varies from case to case, but the vast majority of applicants should receive their visa a few weeks from the date the application is submitted, including the wait time prior to the appointment. For most applicants, passports with visas will be returned to applicants via a courier service in two or three days following the interview.
For typical appointment wait and processing times click here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php
All applicants should be aware that the times given are current averages, and are subject to sharp seasonal fluctuations. Processing wait time DOES NOT include the time required for additional administrative processing or special requirements. In such cases, processing wait time will vary based on the individual circumstances of each application.
I am not an Israeli citizen. Can I apply for a visa in Israel?
While applicants of any nationality can apply for a visa in Israel, it will be more difficult for a consular officer to determine your eligibility if you are not a resident of Israel. We suggest you apply in the country where you currently reside. However, if you do live in Israel, you can apply for a visa in Israel if you bring documents showing your ties to Israel, such as a job, school, or family. You should also expect questions about your ties to your home country as well.
As an American citizen, how can I assure the consular officer my friend or relative is qualified for a visa?
Consular officers must evaluate the qualifications of the visa applicant. Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act requires the consular officer to presume that all applicants for a non-immigrant visa intend to immigrate. Applicants may overcome this presumption by presenting evidence of binding social, familial, and economic ties to Israel that are sufficiently strong to compel the applicant to leave the U.S. after a temporary visit. The burden, therefore, is on the applicant to present such evidence at the time of the visa interview. Assurances from friends, family members, or associates in the United States do not affect the applicant’s eligibility for visa issuance.
How do I get my passport back?
If your visa application is approved, you must leave your passport at the Embassy after your interview. Your passport will be returned to you within 2-3 business days via a local courier service. Please let the consular officer know during your interview if you have immediate travel plans that prevent you from leaving your passport.
How long can I stay in the United States?
Your length of stay will be determined by the immigration official at the port of entry upon arrival in the U.S. The validity of the visa has nothing to do with how long one can remain in the United States. Rather, it is the period of time in which one can travel to the United States. Most B1/B2 visas are valid for 10 years and multiple entries to the United States, though some are limited based on the age or personal situation of the applicant. This means that you can enter the United States for short trips as many times as you wish during that 10 year period.
My valid visa expires two days after I need to travel to the United States. Can I travel with this visa?
Yes. You may travel to the United States at any time during the validity of the visa. The duration of your visit in the U.S. is not determined by the length of visa validity, but by the immigration official at the port of entry when you arrive in the United States.
My visa application was denied. Can I reapply?
Yes. There is no restriction on the number of times a person may apply for a visa. However, without additional evidence of binding social, familial, or economic ties that demonstrate a compelling need to return to Israel after visiting the United States, there may be little reason to apply a second time. It may be prudent to wait until there is new evidence of such ties before reapplying. We recommend waiting at least a year before reapplying for a visa.
Can I get the money back from the processing fee if my application is denied?
No. The processing fee is nonrefundable. You will need to pay an processing fee each time you apply for a visa and this fee is not returned if you are denied again.
My passport has expired, but I have a valid B1/B2 visa in it. Do I need a new visa?
No. Any traveler with a valid visa in an expired passport and a new valid passport is welcome to enter the United States carrying both passports. Such travelers will be admitted, barring any other ineligibility, at any time prior to the date of the visa’s expiration. It is not necessary to obtain another visa in the new passport.
I am traveling through the U.S. on the way to another country. Do I still need a visa?
Yes. You must apply for a B1/B2 tourist/business visa.
I used to have an indefinite visa. Why is my new visa only valid for ten years?
The U.S. Department of State no longer issues “indefinite” visas. Ten years is the maximum validity for a B1/B2 visa. The ten-year validity period applies regardless of the fact that the applicant may have previously held an "indefinite" visa.
During my visa interview, I was told that my application required additional processing that would last several weeks. What does that mean, and how long will I have to wait?
The time required for administrative processing varies with each case. Be assured that we work hard to process all visa applications to conclusion as quickly as possible. In general the process takes 4-6 weeks, though sometimes the processing can last longer or be completed in much less time.
Applicants with technical or scientific backgrounds will be asked to send more information to the Embassy after the interview. In this case, the sooner you can return the requested information to us, the sooner we can move ahead with the visa process. Please be aware that in most cases, these applicants will receive a visa valid for one year, not the usual ten-year visa.
Applicants who need to undergo fingerprinting after the visa interview may be asked to bring in copies of police records before a visa can be issued. |
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