HOW TO APPLY FOR A NONIMMIGRANT VISA

WHO NEEDS A VISA?

All citizens of Cyprus who wish to travel to the U.S. require a nonimmigrant visa. Click here for visa types.

NOTE: If you have a visa in an old passport, please click here.

WHO CAN USE THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM?

Some travelers, including British citizens, who are citizens of countries which participate in the Visa Waiver Program, may enter the United States without a visa for periods of less than 90 days for business or tourism. Visitors who wish to use the Visa Waiver Program must have machine-readable passports and register on-line in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Click here for more information.

STEP-BY- STEP GUIDE TO THE U.S. NONIMMIGRANT VISA PROCESS

How Do I Apply?

Step 1: Complete the DS-156 ELECTRONIC VISA APPLICATION FORM (EVAF) online. Applications will not be accepted unless completed in electronic form. The completed Electronic Visa Application Form then needs to be printed and brought to the interview. All male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 must also fill out and submit a DS-157. All applicants age 16 and over from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria, regardless of gender, must also complete the Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application DS-157. Student /Exchange visitor visa applicants must also fill out the DS-158.

Step 2: All nonimmigrant visa applicants must apply in person and appear before a consular officer. This includes children. Make an appointment by clicking here. (Please schedule only one appointment per person. If you schedule numerous appointments, they will not be accepted.) For information on emergency appointments, click here.

Step 3: Attach a recent photo to the application. Click here for instructions.

Step 4: Pay the non-refundable application fee per application. Please click here for instructions.

Step 5: On the day of your appointment go to the Consular Section with the required forms, photos and documents at your specified appointment time. The applicant will be the only person allowed to the interview unless he or she is minor or handicapped. NOTE: You will not be allowed to bring cell phones, cameras, or any other electronic devices into the Embassy compound.

Step 6: If your application for a nonimmigrant visa is approved, you may collect your passport and visa after two working days at 3:00 PM. However, individual issuance times may vary. Some visa applications require additional processing and will take longer to approve. For average wait times for a visa interview click here. If your application is approved, the consular officer will advise you what procedures to follow to claim your visa. Visas cannot be issued on the same day. The blue ticket issued at the time of the interview is required to be presented by any person picking up a passport.

Residents of Cyprus who do not wish to return to the Embassy to pick up their visas NOW HAVE THE FOLLOWING OPTION: You may purchase a registered pre-paid (minimum postage 2.58 Euro) self addressed envelope from the post office and bring it to your interview. If your visa is approved, the Embassy will mail your passport in the self-addressed envelope you provide to your home when your visa is ready. This option is available to residents of Cyprus only.

The Embassy strongly encourages intending travelers to apply for visas well in advance of their desired travel date.

No assurance regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. We recommend that applicants do not purchase non-refundable tickets until the visa has been issued and they are in receipt of their passport and visa.