What is a Visa?

If you’re a resident of a foreign country, in most cases you’ll need a visa to enter the any country.

A visa doesn’t permit entry to any country., however. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a country consular officer at an state embassy or consulate, and that the officer has determined you’re eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. Consular affairs are the responsibility of the Department of State.

A visa allows you to travel to the United States as far as the port of entry (airport or land border crossing) and ask the immigration officer to allow you to enter the country. Only the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the country. He or she decides how long you can stay for any particular visit. Immigration matters are the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security.

There are two categories of. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant.

Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live permanently in the U.S. Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study.

Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the country. but who wish to go to the country on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study.

U.S. law requires that people who apply for nonimmigrant visas provide evidence that they don’t intend to immigrate to the United States. It’s up to consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates to determine eligibility on an individual basis on the merits of each case.

Providing requested documents does not assurance that you will receive a visa. There is no entitlement to a visa.

And, because each person’s personal situation is different, people applying for the same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. Under U.S. law, the authority to question or refuse visas is vested solely in consular offices abroad. Consular officers have the authority to decide whether the evidence submitted in support of an application is sufficient to set up an applicant’s eligibility for a visa. Consular officers may request additional information or documentation depending on their evaluation of each person’s situation.