U.S. Visa Information
International experts frequently visit the U.S. to attend meetings of technical committees, international fora, and other meetings. The United States Department of State is responsible for issuing and approving visas for international visitors to the U.S., and maintains the official information on requirements for visa applicants.
As the U.S. member body to ISO, ANSI has prepared a set of guidelines to assist visitors in applying for and obtaining a U.S. visa. The instructions provided below are intended to help avoid unnecessary burdens encountered by technical experts traveling for U.S.-hosted ISO and IEC meetings.
Visitors from most countries are required to obtain a visa to enter the U.S.
U.S. visitors who require a visa are encouraged to apply as early as possible, following the steps below:
SStep One: Identify the type of visa required
The United States Department of State is the official source of information on visa requirements. Please visit their webpage on visas for temporary foreign visitors for up to date information. Most business travelers will need the B-1 Visa. Check this PDF for more information on whether your trip would require a B-1 Visa.
SStep Two: Collect necessary documentation
All temporary visitors to the U.S. must complete an online DS-160 electronic visa application form.
Most visitors will also need to provide a letter of invitation, details about their visit to the U.S. (e.g. itinerary, flight information, U.S. contacts, etc.), a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining, 2 passport photos, and other documentation.
You should have the following documents available while you complete your DS-160:
- Passport
- Travel itinerary, if you have already made travel arrangements.
- Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States, if you have previously travelled to the United States. You may also be asked for your international travel history for the past five years.
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae - You may be required to provide information about your current and previous education and work history.
- Other Information - Some applicants, depending on the intended purpose of travel, will be asked to provide additional information when completing the DS-160.
Specific documentation requirements vary by country. U.S. visitors should refer to the website of their local embassy or consulate (Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) section) for additional details and instructions.
Step Three: Request a visa interview
The U.S. government requires that all U.S. visa applicants participate in a face-to-face visa interview. The purpose of the interview is to allow the visa applicant to demonstrate that they have a legitimate reason for visiting the U.S. and that they are not a
flight risk and do not pose a threat to U.S. national security. Visitors to the U.S. should have a thorough understanding of the purpose and logistics of their visit, as they will be asked questions on these topics during their visa interview.
Visa interview appointments should be requested online through the website of the local U.S. embassy or consulate. It is critical that visitors to the U.S. request a visa interview as early as possible, as wait times can vary from several days to several months.
Please note that a 10-digit number generated upon completion of the online DS-160 application form is required to request an interview.
All visa applicants to the U.S. are encouraged to begin the application process as early as possible. The U.S. visa application process typically takes an average of 60 days but can take as long as 6 months in some locations.
Applicants are also required to follow the guidance on their local embassy or consulate website carefully, in order to avoid costly delays.
