In order to start a US visa application, we will only need the following:

–              Completed US visa information form. This can only be typed out if you open it with a web browser, like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

–              Copy of the applicant’s passport

–              Copy of the applicant’s previous US visa (if applicable)

We will advise on which documentation to take to the interview according to the specifications of the given application.

Generally, however, it should be the following:

1. Current Passport valid for travel to the United States. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the United States.
2. Passport containing the most recently issued U.S. visa (if applicable).
3. Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page (received once the application is uploaded onto the US visa system)
4. Confirmation and Instructions page printed from this website (received once the payment is done and the visa interview is booked)
5. One 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) colour photo taken within the last 6 months.
6. For business – Invitation letter from the USA company (for business).

For tourism – Invitation letter from the US invitee with a copy of their US ID, or a tour itinerary,  or a hotel accommodation, or any other document confirming the purpose of travel

7. Employment letter from the SA company
8. 3 months recent bank statements
9. Marriage/children’s birth certificates to confirm the family status (if application)
10. Any other applicable document or document confirming the applicant’s ties to SA/intention to return back to SA

Once received, we will upload the provided information onto the US visa system. Once this is done, the visa fee payment must be made to the US Immigration in order to obtain access to the interview appointment booking system. We do all this on the applicant’s behalf.

The visa interview appointments are usually booked out well in advance. In most cases, we confirm the first available/most convenient appointment as per the applicant’s request and if necessary, keep on checking the booking system for any cancellations or earlier appointments.

The US consulate usually confirms whether the visa application is approved or not right away. If the application is declined, the passport is returned back to the applicant. If the application is approved, the passport is kept at the US consulate in order to have the visa issued and the visa sticker pasted therein. Once finalized the passport is sent to the collection spot (a designated DHL branch as per the city of the application). This is done within 3-7 days from the interview (if all is in order).

If the applicant has had a previous US visa, which expired less than 48 months prior to submission, the US system usually allows to submit the visa application without the interview, which means that we can forward the application to the US consulate without the applicant having to schedule an interview appointment and appear in person. Once the US Consulate receives the application, the processing can take anything between 2 – 8 weeks.