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Visas for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel abroad, you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements.

While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool . On the country’s information page, you will find entry, exit, and visa requirements. You will also find travel advisories and a link to the country’s embassy.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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Your online travel visa application: A common money mistake to avoid

W hile citizens of the U.S. and other western countries are able to travel widely without a visa in the traditional sense, certain nations still require one while other countries with visa-free agreements  ask tourists to register their trip and apply for clearance online before arrival.

Given that the requirements differ for each country and are constantly in flux (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System for travel to countries making up the European Union also known as ETIAS has been delayed at least eight times from an initial launch date in 2021), many travelers often find themselves confused about what they need before a trip — which, in turn, often ends up costing them lost money.

Related: Another country has the title of world’s most powerful passport (the US slipped again)

One such traveler, Jay Raman, was in the process of arranging a family trip to New Zealand and was looking through the flight details on his Delta  ( DAL )  travel booking when he saw a pop-up saying that foreign visitors needed to apply for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. The website told him he could apply through the travel visa application platform Sherpa and he followed its lead.

‘How convenient, he thought’: Don’t make this easy booking error

“After entering the details of each of his five family members and paying a total of $532.50, he soon had those electronic travel visas,” Michelle Couch-Friedman of The Points Guy wrote in a feature on the subject. “How convenient, he thought. However, a few days later, as he continued his travel planning, budget-minded Raman got an unpleasant surprise. He learned that the New Zealand government charges U.S citizens just 17 New Zealand dollars ($10) for NZeTAs via a free app.”

Sherpa is one of a number of travel platforms that help travelers apply for travel clearance or tourist visas. While advertised as a way to simplify the process and make sure one’s documents are in order, they often charge a hefty and not always transparent fee for doing little other than typing in the passenger’s information for them into an application that is easily accessible online. 

In the case of New Zealand, the application is available directly on a mobile app created by the country’s immigration department and is very easy to complete as the app guides you through it. For those who have one’s passport information in front of them, the application typically takes no more than 10-20 minutes.

The first step is always to go on the embassy website yourself

After realizing this, Raman ended up having to go through a lengthy process of trying to get the money back. Delta did not want to offer a refund because the terms and conditions on the website say that use of Sherpa is just a recommendation and completely optional while a credit card dispute was also not an option since he applied for the visas voluntarily and the visas (which he did need for the trip) would be canceled even if the transaction was canceled.

After having to go back and forth (and reaching out to The Points Guy for help advocating for him), Raman was able to get part of the fee refunded but the situation required a lot of headache and arguing with call center representatives.

“To begin the process of applying for your visa, you can visit the website of your destination's consulate or embassy,” Couch-Friedman wrote. “There, you'll be able to determine if the travel visa process is simple, as Raman belatedly found out was the case with New Zealand, or if there is a more complicated process."

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TIPS: What you'll need to apply for a US tourist visa

By Saihjee Galang Published Mar 30, 2024 10:36 pm Updated Mar 31, 2024 4:12 pm

Thinking of going to the United States for a vacation?

Acquiring a visa can be quite taxing as it requires a lot of work, but that shouldn’t hinder you from visiting its picturesque landscapes and vibrant cities.

There are two types of visas that you could apply for in the States. There's the migrant visa for those who are looking to live there permanently, but if you simply want to go for a visit and explore its beauty, the nonimmigrant visa is for you.

Before you pack your bags and book a flight, here's everything you would need to apply for a US tourist visa.

• A valid Philippine passport with a validity longer than your planned trip to the US;
• An accomplished Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application or DS-160 form that you can submit online;
• To complete the DS-160 form, you would need a travel itinerary, a national ID from the Philippines, and a social security number.
• Note that the form should be filled out in English. 
• Upon completion, you will receive an alpha-numeric barcode confirmation page that you must print for the interview.  
• A recent 2x2 photo; 
• Receipt of your nonimmigrant visa application processing fee paid in local currency;
• If you are employed, present a letter from your employer indicating your position, time you spent working with the company, authorized vacation, and other business purposes.
• Criminal and court records, if any.

After completing and submitting your DS-160 form online, you would need to create an account or profile in their system that you can access here . Once done, you can schedule an appointment at the US Embassy via a tab that will appear in the dashboard.

You'd be required to present your printed DS-160 form with the confirmation page, the receipt of your visa application fee for application verification, and the ten-digit barcode provided on your confirmation page on the day of your chosen slot.  

Other documents like your valid passport and previous passports and recent 2x2 photo will also be required. Incomplete requirements can cause your application to be void.   

The US Embassy in Manila is located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard. You can contact them at (+63) 2 5301-2000.    

You can check out their official website for more details.

Visa interview and processing

Note that the US Embassy and Consulate are not accepting walk-ins. Applicants are also advised to complete their application early so they would have ample time to prepare and process their visas.

The visa interview questions will revolve around your itinerary, the purpose of your travel, and other personal information to justify the accuracy of your documents. It's necessary to answer all their questions as honestly as possible.

The decision by the consular officer regarding your application will be given on the day of your interview, and " only after all of your documents have been furnished and the results of the medical examination received."

The visa processing fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment transactions can be done through Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) or PesoNet for an online option. Tourist visas usually cost $185 or over P10,000.  

The process time for a visa usually takes three business days, though it may vary depending on the case.  

TAGS: travel visa united states US VISA america Visa guide

Saihjee Galang

Saihjee is an journalism undergraduate who loves anything pop culture, music, P-pop, and fashion.

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Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool below. Not all visa applications can be completed on the day of the interview; please read the information below for more details .

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Global Visa Wait Times

Wait Time for Interview

The estimated wait time to receive a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and is based on workload and staffing and can vary from week to week. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Wait Time for Interview Waiver

Wait times for applicants eligible for Interview Waiver are applicable only for locations where applicants schedule appointments to submit their passport and any required documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate. The wait time estimate does not account for the time required for a consular officer to adjudicate the application nor mailing time of passports or other documents. Refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will apply to determine your eligibility for Interview Waiver and for instructions for submitting a nonimmigrant visa application. Note that applicants must be a national or resident of the country where they are applying to be eligible to apply via Interview Waiver.

Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section  where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.

In all cases : You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

There are only two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications. The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. The officer may also conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.

Important Notice:   Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

About Visa Processing Wait Times – Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.

In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific  Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website  for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

About Wait Times

* Calendar days refers to every day of the week, including days when embassies are closed (such as weekends and holidays).

† Work days refers only to days when the embassy is open and does not include weekends and holidays.      

‡ A, G, and NATO applications are excluded from these wait times, as they are processed separately.

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