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Starting May 8, 2023, applicants who arrive at the Embassy with DS-160 confirmation pages that do not match the DS-160 number/Application ID in the appointment system will be turned away. Please click on the link to read more about this important change.
All receipts for payment of Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fees issued before October 1, 2022, will expire September 30, 2023. There will be no extensions of fee validity. Applicants must schedule an appointment or submit an interview waiver application before September 30, 2023 to avoid paying a new fee. Please note that the interview itself does not need to take place before September 30, 2023, but an interview appointment needs to be made in the system, even if it is scheduled months into the future. Furthermore, applicants using MRV fees paid before October 1, 2022 to book an appointment are cautioned not to attempt to change their appointment dates on or after October 1, 2023. Doing so will result in forfeiture of both the original appointment slot and the MRV fee receipt. The applicant will be required to pay a new fee and submit a new application package.
Effective June 17, 2023, the application fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B-1/B-2) and other non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas, such as student and exchange visitor visas, increased from $160 to $185. The application fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) increases from $190 to $205. The fee for treaty traders, treaty investors, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) increased from $205 to $315.
Applicants who have already paid a visa application fee that is currently valid and non-expired, but who have not yet appeared for their visa interview or are waiting for their case to be processed, will not be charged any additional fees.
Visit Travel.State.gov for more information.
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program partner but have received notice that you are no longer eligible to travel to the United States under that program, you should apply for a nonimmigrant visa well in advance of your desired travel. If your travel is imminent, you may request an expedited visa appointment. Please include in your request the date and purpose of your travel, as well as information from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection message you received regarding your ESTA status.
Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States. When planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit.
Nonimmigrant visas are for foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, or other similar reasons. Visit the Official Visa Information and Appointment System website for information on how to apply.
Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States. Visit Travel.State.gov to learn about the Immigrant Visa Process.
If you are unsure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Wizard below.
In addition to the information on nonimmigrant visa categories above, please see below information on specific visa application processes, as well as instructions on how to follow up on your visa application.
B-1 Visa for Personal or Domestic Employees E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor Visas H-2A Visa Application Process Protocol Visas Visa Status CheckB-1 Visa for Personal or Domestic Employees
B-1 visitor visas are for personal or domestic employees to work in the United States for their employer in limited situations.
E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor Visas
Treaty Trader (E-1), and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas are for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation. The U.S. Embassy Lima is currently accepting E-1 and E-2 visa cases for applicants who can demonstrate they are residents of Peru.
H-2A visas allow U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs, for which U.S. workers are not available.
A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, and C-3 visas are for diplomats/government officials, and officials from designated international organizations (such as the World Bank or the Organization of American States) traveling to or transiting the United States in an official capacity.
Nonimmigrant visa applicants may check the status of their applications online. All DS-160 forms created within the past year are available online on CEAC Status Check. **No Status:** The application has not been reviewed yet. The application could remain under “no status” until the final phase of the application process. Do not contact the Consular Section for a status update, unless more than 16 weeks have passed since the application was submitted. **Refused:** The application was refused under INA Section 214(b) or refused for administrative processing under INA Section 221(g). INA Section 221(g) may require additional information from the applicant. The applicant will be notified regarding the reason for the refusal. **Issued:** The visa was printed, and the passport will be sent to the selected DHL location, within 3-6 business days. Applicants may find the pickup number in their accounts, under “Status”.
The United States provides for immigrant visas based on family ties, employment, adoption, special immigrant categories, and the diversity visa. Foreign citizens wishing to immigrate and live permanently in the U.S. must follow specific procedures to apply for an immigrant visa. The immigrant visa issued by the U.S. Consular Section allows you to travel to the United States for admission as a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR). Once admitted you will have the right to live and work in the United States permanently. Please note you cannot begin the process by yourself and must have an approved petition. Visit the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS.gov) for more information.
K-1 Visas for Fiancé(e)s Returning Resident Visas Diversity Visa Program 2024 Immigrant Visa Status CheckThe K-1 visa permits a foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival.
A U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year (sometimes shorter for conditional residents) or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit must obtain a new immigrant visa to re-enter the United States and resume permanent residence.
The Immigration Act of 1990 established the Diversity Visa (DV) program, which makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available through random selection. The program allows those from countries with low immigration rates to the United States; to enter for a chance to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa.
Applicants for immigrant and K visas may check the status of their visa cases online on CEAC Status Check.
A returning U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR) who has been outside of the United States for less than one year and whose permanent resident card has been lost, must request a boarding foil interview.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.
In order to travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must have authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a U.S. bound air or sea carrier. ESTA is a web-based system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine eligibility to travel under the VWP to the United States for tourism or business.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA application process.
Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers
This pamphlet informs you of your legal rights in the United States as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories.
Rights and Protections for Immigrant Visa Applicants
This pamphlet informs applicants applying for K-1 visas, K-3, IR-1/CR-1 immigrant visas, and F2A immigrant visas of their legal rights in the United States relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Venezuelan Applicants
On June 7, 2019, the National Assembly published a decree to extend the validity of Venezuelan passports for an additional five years past their printed date of expiration. The United States recognizes this extension of passport validity for visa issuance and other consular purposes. Applicants must still meet the requirements for obtaining a U.S. visa. Applicants renewing their visa at U.S. Embassy Lima may be asked to attend an in-person interview if the previous visa was not issued in Lima.
Official Visit the USA Website
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Browse 180 pages packed with beautiful photography, detailed location descriptions and real travel stories.
No matter your destination or travel style, create a personalized, day-by-day itinerary that’s just right for you.
Watch our videos to learn about the diverse destinations and exciting travel experiences, all within your reach.
As your official guide, we’ll show you a diverse range of unique experiences that are all within your reach.
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