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You Are In: Home > Consular Affairs > Visa |
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עברית
English
General Information Application Process Visa Types Business/Tourist Student/Exchange Work |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When should I apply for a visa?The length of time between the date you submit your application and the date on which your interview will be scheduled varies depending upon the number of visa applicants at that time. We recommend you submit your application at least one month prior to your desired departure date and earlier if you plan to travel during the summer or the holiday seasons. See How to Apply for more information. How do I schedule a visa interview?You must schedule your visa interview on the Internet at http://VisaInfo.US-Visaservices.com. Please see How to Apply for more information. Is it possible to change my interview date?If you need to change the date of your visa interview, you can reschedule on the Internet at http://VisaInfo.US-Visaservices.com using the user name and password you set when you first scheduled the interview. You may change your appointment date up to two times before you will need to purchase a new PIN for the system. What if I need a visa in an emergency?Visa interviews are by appointment only and must be scheduled through http://VisaInfo.US-Visaservices.com. To change the date or time of your appointment, please log on to the site and change your appointment. For emergency appointments in the case of business meetings, etc., please follow the directions on the Web site. In the case of death or illness of family in the United States, please contact the Embassy at nivtelaviv@state.gov. We will normally respond within 24 hours. For medical emergencies, be sure to bring the appropriate documentation to avoid delays. Where do I get the visa application forms?When you set your interview date on http://VisaInfo.US-Visaservices.com, you will be able to fill out and print the necessary visa application forms. Be sure that you have filled out all the forms to bring to your interview. If you lose the forms, you can return to the Internet site with your password to reprint them. These forms are also available on this Web site. What documents do I need to apply for a visa?Please see the Web page for the type of visa that you are requesting for a list of documents that may be helpful when applying for a visa. Does my child need a visa?Yes. All Israeli citizens require a visa to visit the United States, regardless of age. For children under the age of fourteen, as well as adults 80 or older, follow the procedures outlined in How to Apply. Children over the age of 14 will need to follow regular application procedures. How long does it take to get a visa?The exact length of time varies from case to case, but the vast majority of applicants should receive their visa a few weeks from the date the application is submitted, including the wait time prior to the appointment. For most applicants, passports with visas will be returned to applicants via a courier service in two or three days following the interview. I am not an Israeli citizen. Can I apply for a visa in Israel?While applicants of any nationality can apply for a visa in Israel, it will be more difficult for a consular officer to determine your eligibility if you are not a resident of Israel. We suggest you apply in the country where you currently reside. However, if you do live in Israel, you can apply for a visa in Israel if you bring documents showing your ties to Israel, such as a job, school, or family. You should also expect questions about your ties to your home country as well. How do I get my passport back?If your visa application is approved, you must leave your passport at the Embassy after your interview. Your passport will be returned to you within 2-3 business days via the Israel Post. Please let the consular officer know during your interview if you have immediate travel plans that prevent you from leaving your passport. How long can I stay in the United States?Your length of stay will be determined by the immigration official at the port of entry upon arrival in the U.S. If you have a student or work visa, the immigration officer will admit you for “Duration of Status,” that is, until you are no longer a student or are no longer working for your sponsoring company. My valid visa expires two days after I need to travel to the United States. Can I travel with this visa?Yes. You may travel to the United States at any time during the validity of the visa. The duration of your visit in the U.S. is not determined by the length of visa validity, but by the immigration official at the port of entry when you arrive in the United States. My visa application was denied. Can I reapply?Yes. There is no restriction on the number of times a person may apply for a visa. However, without additional evidence of binding social, familial, or economic ties that demonstrate a compelling need to return to Israel after visiting the United States, there may be little reason to apply a second time. It may be prudent to wait until there is new evidence of such ties before reapplying. We recommend waiting at least a year before reapplying for a visa. Can I get the money back from the application fee if my application is denied?No. The application fee is nonrefundable. You will need to pay an application fee each time you apply for a visa and this fee is not returned if you are denied again. My passport has expired, but I have a valid B1/B2 visa in it. Do I need a new visa?No. Any traveler with a valid visa in an expired passport and a new valid passport is welcome to enter the United States carrying both passports. Such travelers will be admitted, barring any other ineligibility, at any time prior to the date of the visa’s expiration. It is not necessary to obtain another visa in the new passport. I am traveling through the U.S. on the way to another country. Do I still need a visa?Yes. You must apply for a B1/B2 tourist/business visa. I used to have an indefinite visa. Why is my new visa only valid for ten years?The U.S. Department of State no longer issues “indefinite” visas. Ten years is the maximum validity for a B1/B2 visa. The ten-year validity period applies regardless of the fact that the applicant may have previously held an "indefinite" visa. During my visa interview, I was told that my application required additional processing that would last several weeks. What does that mean, and how long will I have to wait?The time required for administrative processing varies with each case. Be assured that we work hard to process all visa applications to conclusion as quickly as possible. In general the process takes 4-6 weeks, though sometimes the processing can last longer or be completed in much less time. |
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