What is America Visa Online (e-Visa)?
America Visa Online (eVisa) is a special way of applying for a visa to enter the United States.
It is called US Visa Online (eVisa) because people do not have to go out and apply for a visa at the
US embassy, or mail or courier their passport, or visit any government officer.
It is an official document issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that enables citizens and nationals
from the Visa Waiver countries to enter the United States for tourism, transit or business purposes.
Electronic USA Visa (eVisa) is a mandatory travel authorization for travelers visiting the United States either by Sea or Air for visits under 90 days.
It is an electronic authorization to enter United States like a Tourist Visa but with simpler process and
steps. All steps can be done online, which saves time, effort and money.
US Government has made it easier and this type of eVisa is an encouragement for transit, tourist and business
travelers.
American Visa Online is valid for upto 2 (two) years from the date of issue or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
The validity period of your Electronic Visa is different than the duration of stay. While US e-Visa is valid for 2 years,
you duration cannot exceed 90 days. You may enter United States at any time within the validity period.
United States C.B.P (Customs and Border Protection) officer
Where can I apply for a US Visa Online (eVisa)?
Applicants can apply online at
US Visa Application Form.
There are many countries around the world that offer eVisa, USA is one of them.
You must be from a Visa Waiver Country
to be able to procure a America Visa Online (eVisa).
More countries are constantly being added to the list of countries that can avail the benefit to get
Electronic US Visa also known as eVisa.
US Government considers this a preferred method to apply for a visit to US which is under 90 days.
Immigration officers at C.B.P (Customs and Border Protection) will review your application, and once it is approved,
they will send you an email saying that your US Visa Online has been approved.
Once this is done, all you are required is to go to the airport.
You do not require any stamp on your passport or mail/courier your passport to the embassy.
You can catch the flight or cruise ship.
To be safe, you can take a print out of the US eVisa that has been emailed to you or you can keep a soft copy on your phone / tablet
Applying for the America Visa Online
The entire process is web-based, from application, payment, and submission to getting notified of the result of the application.
The applicant will have to fill the US Visa Application form with relevant details,
including contact details, employment details, passport details, and other background information such as health and criminal record.
All persons traveling to United States, regardless of their age, will have to fill this form.
Once filled, the applicant will have to make the US Visa Application payment using a credit or debit card or a PayPal account and
then submit the application.
Most decisions are reached within 48 hours and the applicant is notified via email but some cases may take a
few days or a week to process.
It’s best to apply for the US Visa Online as soon as you have finalised your travel plans and no later than
72 hours before your scheduled entry into United States .
You will be notified of the final decision by email and in case your application is not approved you might try
applying for the United States Visa at your nearest US embassy or consulate.
What will happen after entering my details for US Visa Application?
After you have entered all of your personal information into the US Visa Application Online Form, a Visa Officer
from the C.B.P (Customs and Border Protection) will use this information along with security measures around your country of
origin and through Interpol databases to decide if the applicant can get the US Visa Online or not.
99.8% applicants are allowed, only a small fraction of people 0.2% that cannot be allowed into a country for eVisa
have to apply for a regular paper based visa process through the US Embassy.
These people are not eligible for an America Visa Online (eVisa).
However, they have the option to re-apply through the US embassy.
Read more at After you apply for US Visa Online: Next steps
America Visa Online purposes
The US Electronic Visa has four types, or in other words, you can apply for the America Visa Online when the purpose of your visit to
the country is any one of the following:
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Transit or layover: If you only plan on catching a connecting flight from the US and do not want to enter US this US Visa Online (eVisa) is ideal for you.
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Tourist activities: This type of US Visa Online (eVisa) is suitable for those who wish to enter the United States for recreation, sight seeing.
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Business: If you're planning a short trip from Singapore, Thailand, India etc. to have commercial discussion in the United States then the US Visa Online (eVisa) will allow you entry into the United States for up to 90 days.
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Work & Visit Family: If you're planning to visit friends or relatives residing in the United States
already on a valid visa/residency, then eVisa will allow entry for up to 90 days For those who plan a longer stay such as a whole year in the US we recommend considering US Visa from the Embassy.
Who can apply for America Visa Online?
Passport holders of following nationalities seeking to enter United States for purposes for tourism, transit or business
must apply for the US Visa Online and are exempted from obtaining tradition/paper Visa to travel to the Unites States.
Citizens of Canada need only their Canadian Passports to travel to United States.
Canadian Permanent Residents, however, may need to apply US Visa Online unless they are already
a citizen of one of the below countries.
What are the complete Eligibility Requirements for the US Visa Online (eVisa)?
The requirements are very light. You are expected to meet the following requirements.
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You have a valid passport from a country that is offering US Visa Online (eVisa).
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The purpose of your trip must be one of the three, transit /tourism/business-related (e.g., business meetings).
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You have a valid passport from a country that is offering US Visa Online (eVisa) or Visa
on arrival for American citizens.
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The purpose of your trip must be one of the three, transit/tourism/business-related (e.g., business meetings).
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You must have a valid email id to receive the eVisa.
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You must have one of the debit / credit cards or Paypal account.
Information required for US Visa Application
US Visa Online applicants will need to provide the following information at the time of filling out
online US Visa Application Form:
- Personal information like name, place of birth, date of birth
- Passport number, date of issue, date of expiry
- Contact information such as address and email
- Employment details
- Parent details
Before you apply for USA Visa Application
Travelers who intend to apply for US Visa Online must fulfil the following conditions:
A Valid passport for travel
The applicant’s passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the departure date, the date when you leave United States.
There should also be a blank page on the passport so that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer can stamp your passport.
Your Electronic Visa for United States, if approved, will be linked to your valid Passport, so you are also required to have a valid Passport, which can be either an Ordinary Passport, or an Official, Diplomatic, or Service Passport, all issued by eligible countries.
A valid Email ID
The applicant will receive USA Visa Online by email, therefore a valid Email ID is required to receive US Visa Online.
The form can be completed by the visitors intending to arrive by clicking
here US Visa application form.
Method of Payment
Since the USA Visa Application form is only available online, without a paper equivalent, a valid credit/debit card or PayPal account is required.
How long does America Visa Online application take to process
It is advisable to apply for America Visa Online at least 72 hours before you plan to enter the country.
Validity of the USA Visa Online
The USA Visa Online is valid for a max period of two (2) years from the date of its issue or lesser if the Passport that it is electronically linked to expires
before the two (2) years.
The Electornic Visa allows you to stay in United States for the maximum of 90 days at a time but you can use it to visit the country repeatedly within the period of its validity.
However, the actual duration you would be allowed to stay in for at a time would be decided by the border officials depending upon your purpose of visit and will be stamped
on your Passport.
Entry into United States
The Electronic Visa for United States is required so that you can board a flight to United States as without it you cannot get on
any US bound flight.
However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (C.B.P) or the U.S. border officials can deny you entry at the airport
even if you are an approved Electronic US Visa holder
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if at the time of entry you do not have all your documents, such as your passport, in order, which will be checked by the border officials
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if you pose any health or financial risk
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if you have previous criminal/terrorist history or previous immigration issues
If you have ready all the documents required for the America Visa Online and meet all eligibility conditions for the
Electronic Visa for United States, then you should be able to quite easily apply online for the US Visa application whose
form is quite simple and straightforward.
If you require any clarifications read US Visa Online Application Process guide or
contact our helpdesk for support and guidance.
Documents that the US Visa Online holders may be asked at the United States border
Means of supporting themselves
The applicant may be asked to provide evidence that they can financially support and sustain themselves during their
stay in United States.
Onward/return flight ticket.
The applicant may be required to show that they intend to leave United States after the purpose of trip for which
US Visa Online was applied is over.
If the applicant does not have an onward ticket, they may provide the proof of funds and ability to buy a ticket in
the future.
