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Frequently Asked Questions Non-immigrant Visas
1. Should documents be translated, or should the original document be presented?
It is not necessary to have Bulgarian documents translated into English in order to apply for a nonimmigrant visa. You may present legible photocopies of relevant documents at the time of the interview, but consular officers may request to see original documents if they find this necessary to determine visa eligibility.
2. I'm planning to travel to the United States with my children. Do they need to appear at a visa interview?
All visa applicants over age four must be present at a visa interview. Any minor child under the age of 18 may be accompanied by at least one parent at the interview, whether the parent is traveling with the minor or not.
3. Are there special requirements for visa applicants under age 18?
Minors, whether traveling with or without both parents must fulfill the requirements posted here.
4. If my visa is approved, when will it be ready?
We will make every effort to have visas printed and delivered to DHL by the end of the same day as the interview. However, increased security measures may lead to some delays. DHL, delivery takes about 2 business days. Please note that a small percentage of visa applications require additional special clearances or administrative processing. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application. When additional special clearances or administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Visas of applicants who were temporary refused visa under section 221(g) will be delivered to DHL in 2 to 3 business days.
5. Can someone else retrieve my passport?
Another person may receive your passport ONLY if you state this in your DHL papers.
6. How long is a visa valid? How long can I stay in the United States?
Visa validity varies for each class of visa. The important thing to know is that the expiration date indicated on the visa specifies the period of time within which the bearer must use the visa to enter the United States. However, please note: The length of stay in the United States is determined by the immigration official at the port of entry. For example, a visa issued with one year validity may be used to enter the United States within that one-year period but it does NOT entitle the bearer to remain in the United States for one year. That question must be resolved at the port of entry.
7. What are the requirements for an invitation?
There are no specific requirements for invitation letters, which are optional. Such letters do not need to be notarized. It is helpful if the following information is included: Name of the inviting party, name of the applicant, the relationship of the two people, the intended length of stay, any financial assistance that will be provided to cover the cost of the trip. Proof of the inviting party's status in the United States (i.e., copy of a passport or green card) is also helpful. Proof of the status of any direct relative of the applicant (even if the invitation is from an in-law, for example) should also be provided.
8. Should invitation letters be sent to the Consulate?
No. In order to ensure that an invitation is on hand for the interview, it should not be sent to the consular section. Invitations should be sent directly to the visa applicant, who should present them together with the rest of the application. This avoids misplacement of the invitation and a lot of inconvenience for everyone involved.
9. What are the fees to be paid for a nonimmigrant visa?
All visa applicants must pay a non-refundable $131 application processing fee. Additional issuance fees (reciprocity fees) vary by visa class and nationality. There are currently no such additional reciprocity fees for Bulgarian citizens. Citizens of countries other than Bulgaria may have to pay an additional issuance fee, depending on the reciprocity between the United States and the applicant's country of citizenship.
10. If the visa is refused, can I get my money back?
No. The application processing fee is non-refundable. Visa fee receipts may not be transferable to other applicants.
11. What happens when a visa is refused? Is a refusal under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act permanent?
Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of the United States (INA) states that consular officers must consider every visa applicant to be an intending immigrant, ineligible to receive a nonimmigrant visa, unless the applicant convinces the officer of his or her intent to return to a permanent residence in his or her home country following a temporary stay in the United States. Consular officers take a number of factors into account in making their determination of visa eligibility, including the prevailing local social and economic climate and recent immigration trends. Demonstrating visa eligibility is thus not simply a question of presenting a certain set of documents. Unless a consular officer informs you otherwise, a visa refusal is not permanent and it is POSSIBLE to apply again in order to present new or additional evidence. See Question 14 below for reapplication instructions. Additional evidence DOES NOT, however, guarantee that a refusal will be overcome.
12. How many times can I apply for a visa?
We discourage repeated applications from previously refused applicants unless they are able to demonstrate significant change in their social or economic situationIf you are refused a nonimmigrant visa, we recommend you wait at least a year to re-apply.
13. When can I reply if my visa was refused?
Unless there are dramatic changes in your socioeconomic situation, we recommend you wait at least a year before re-applying.
14. The consular officer didn't even look at the documents I brought to the interview before refusing me. Why not?
Supporting documents are intended to SUPPORT information provided in the application or at the interview. The documents submitted in support of the information on the application form are reviewed before the applicant is called to the interview window. The interviewing officer will refer to the supporting documents when the information provided on the application forms and in response to the interview questions is in question. If the information provided is clear, there is often no need to turn again to the supporting documents. It is important to bring the documents to the interview and present them to the cashier with the application, to ensure the information on them is reviewed and taken into consideration.
15. My passport has expired, but I have a valid visa in it. Can I transfer the visa into my new passport?
You may use your current visa in your old passport until your visa expires – in this case you will need to bring both passports with you when you travel.
16. My passport with a valid US visa has been stolen. Can I transfer the visa into my new passport?
No, you cannot transfer the visa. You need to submit a completely new application, including payment of the application-processing fee. A copy of the Police report for your lost/ stolen passport must be presented on the day of the interview. A copy of this report may be faxed to the Consular Section at: 359-2-937-5209.
17. The bar code of my DS-156 bar-coded form looks "broken". Can I print the form again?
Yes. We need "clear" bar code. If your bar code is "broken", we will not be able to process your application. Click here to see "broken bar code. Click here to see "clear" bar code.
18. I still have the I-94 or I-94W in my possession; what should I do?
If you have left the United States and are still in possession of the I-94 or I-94W it is in your best interest to forward it to the appropriate authorities so that your record is corrected and that you do not experience any problems on future travel to the United States as a result.
It is very important that you complete the back of the card listing the port of departure and date of departure from the United States and the carrier/flight information. The I-94 or I-94W together with a letter of explanation and evidence of your departure from the U.S. should be sent to:
ACS - CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744
Do not mail the I-94/I-94W to the Embassy. Doing so will only delay the update of the departure information. The CBP office in London cannot update the arrival and departure system.
The evidence can come from a variety of sources, including but not limited to:
- Original boarding passes you used to depart the United States;
- Entry or departure stamps in your passport to indicate you entered another country after you departed the United States (please copy all passport pages that are not completely blank and include the biographic page containing your photograph);
- Dated pay slips or vouchers from your employer to indicate that you worked in another country after you departed the United States;
- Dated bank records showing transactions in your home country to indicate that you were in another country after your left the United States;
- School records showing your attendance at a school outside the United States to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States;
- Dated credit card receipts with the credit card number deleted for purchases you made after you departed the United States to indicate you were in another country after you left the United States.
Please send legible copies or the original material where possible. If you send original materials please retain a copy for your records; the originals will not be returned to you. It will assist the CBP if you include an explanation letter.
For more information:http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/ and http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/a_zindex/a_zindex_2911.html