US visa for children under 14 years old: how to get

Visa to America for a minor child

To visit the United States as a child, you must obtain an American visa. Depending on the purpose of the trip, there are different types of visas for children. The vast majority of minor applicants receive a B1/B2 American visa.

It allows children to travel for a variety of purposes: tourism, visiting relatives, studying in children's camps and language schools. The process of obtaining a visa to America for a minor has its own characteristics, which we want to discuss in this section.

Here you will also find a detailed list of documents that you will need to prepare to obtain a visa to America as a child.

 

Features of obtaining a visa to America for children

A US visa for a minor applicant is issued for a maximum period of three years. It is multiple and allows the child to make frequent short trips to America. The number of days of stay on the visa is not indicated.

At each visit, border control officers stamp the child's passport with an entry stamp and the number of days allowed for stay. Typically, a minor can stay in the United States for up to 180 days per visit. The America visa for children is easy to use.

It does not oblige the child to travel with any adults - he can visit the USA with relatives, friends, with a school group, or on his own.

U.S. visa documents for a minor are reviewed by a U.S. visa officer. In order to apply for a visa to America for a child in 2020, you must fill out the DS-160 form in English and prepare a number of documents.

Documents for a child visa to the United States must contain confirmation of the applicant's purpose and intentions for the trip, as well as detailed information about the situation of the child and his family in Russia.

Depending on your age and personal situation, a child visa to America can be obtained either through a simplified scheme (without an interview) or a standard one: with personal appearance for an interview and submission of biometric data.

U.S. Department of State officials take the safety of minor travelers seriously. Before issuing a visa, the Embassy officer must ensure that all required precautions are taken for the child to travel to America.

Detailed information about the trip will be required, including the address of residence in the United States, information about accompanying persons, and information about the sponsors of the trip. The situation of the child’s parents in Russia is also taken into account.

Even in the case of obtaining a child visa to the United States without an interview, the data provided is carefully studied, and if questions arise, parents may be invited to an interview.

Example of a US visa for a child for a period of 3 years

An example of a multiple-entry US visa for a child. The process of obtaining a US visa for children depends on the age of the child, as well as whether or not the parents have a valid visa. However, in any case, the child, as an independent applicant, must pay a consular fee and fill out Form DS-160. An example of the DS-160 questionnaire for a child can be found here.

Obtaining a US visa for a child under 14 years of age

The easiest way to get a US visa is for children under 14 years of age traveling together with parents (or grandparents) who have valid US visas. According to the rules for obtaining a visa to America, children under 14 years of age do not need to submit fingerprints. In such a situation, the application is submitted according to a simplified procedure.

Documents are submitted for review without personal presence—neither the child nor the parents will be required to appear in person for the interview.

You must provide: the child’s international passport, a copy of the parents’ (or grandparents’) visa, a completed application form in English, a letter confirming the application for a visa without an interview.

You can also obtain a US visa for a child under 14 years of age without personal presence in a number of other cases. A simplified receipt scheme is applicable if the child’s application is submitted in parallel with the documents of the parents (or grandparents), who themselves apply for a re-visa without an interview.

The rule for obtaining a visa without an interview is also valid if the child travels to the United States as part of a children's educational group. In this case, it is necessary to provide consent for departure from the parents, as well as a program for the child’s stay in America.

The program must reflect information about all children in the group.

If a child under the age of 14 travels to America alone, with family friends or with relatives who require personal appearance for an interview, documents are submitted according to the standard procedure. In such a situation, one of the parents needs to undergo an interview with a visa officer. There is no need to take your child with you.

As part of your documents, you will need to bring your child’s foreign passport and a printed page confirming your appointment for the interview. It is also recommended to take with you other documents confirming the reliability of the application.

The list of accompanying documentation depends on the purpose of the child’s trip to the USA and is selected individually.

IMPORTANT You can find complete information and current requirements of the American Embassy for filling out the DS-160 form for a US visa at the link. We remind you that filling out the electronic form is included in the cost of the company’s visa services. At the same time, our organization’s services are paid only if your child receives a US visa.

List of documents for obtaining a visa for a child

1 – Information about travel plans. To obtain a child visa to the United States, you must provide documents explaining your travel intentions. Their composition depends on the purpose of the child’s travel. If the main task is tourism, then it is worth preparing information about the place of residence and a description of the travel route.

In case of a guest visit, you need to show documents from the receiving party. For a study trip to learn English, prepare documents from a language college.

Special attention should be paid to collecting documentation to prove the purpose of a child’s trip to America: visa officers will receive very important information from these documents.

2 – Certificate from the place of study. If a child is studying in Russia, a certificate from the place of study is required to obtain a visa. The certificate is issued on the letterhead of the educational institution, signed by its employee and certified with a seal. There are no special requirements for the appearance of this document.

However, the certificate must contain contact information, as well as specify the name of the educational institution, class or course number, and specialization of study. During the interview, the visa officer may ask to see your student or student ID card, or grade book - it is better to take these documents with you to your appointment.

3 – Parents’ financial documents. Obtaining a child visa to the United States is directly affected by the content of the financial documents of the travel sponsors. Usually the child’s parents bring their documents to the interview.

First of all, we are talking about a certificate from the place of employment, which contains information about the position, length of service at this enterprise and the amount of salary. It is better if both parents present proof of employment. You will also need a certificate from the bank.

It is preferable to show a statement of the flow of funds for 3 months, but a simple statement of the account balance is also suitable. The amount indicated in it must be sufficient for upcoming expenses.

4 – Certified consent to leave. If the child is not accompanied by both parents during the trip, you will need to provide a notarized consent to travel (download an example). This document can be of any validity period, including one that does not coincide with the period of the US visa requested for the child.

It happens that it is impossible to show consent to leave - then you will need documents that replace it. A decision on deprivation of parental rights or a certificate from the registry office stating that information about the father was registered according to the mother’s words would be suitable.

It can also be a notarized statement that the other parent is not involved in raising the child.

Examples of documents for a US visa for a child

An example of a confirmation letter for submitting an application without an interview. A DropBox Confirmation Letter is issued if the child's application meets the requirements for obtaining a US visa without appearing in person for an interview. A sample of notarized consent for a child to travel abroad and obtain a visa to America from the parents.

Stages of obtaining a visa for a minor

1 – Start with a call or letter! Write to us at our This email address is being protected from spambots. You must have JavaScript enabled to view it. or call one of the phone numbers! We will question you and, based on your answers, we will be able to assess the likelihood of your child receiving a visa to America.

Our expert will walk you through the documentation required to apply for a US child visa in your specific case. We will also describe possible obstacles to obtaining a US visa for a minor in 2020 and advise you on the best option for applying for a US visa.

From us you will receive the most up-to-date and reliable information about the stages of obtaining a visa for Russian citizens.

2 – Visit our company office. To discuss the details of obtaining a US visa for a minor applicant, you should visit our office with your child. Take his passports with you: both the current one and, if available, all previous ones.

An expert from our company will provide consultation on the next stages of applying for a US visa and determine the need for an interview. You will also receive a list of required documents. After this, we will interview your child and take his/her photograph for the visa application.

Having concluded an agreement with you for the provision of visa services, we will accept money from you to transfer the consular fee.

3 – Prepare the necessary documents. As soon as you leave our office, our employees will begin their further work. In one day, we will process the documentation and make an appointment for an interview, taking into account a time convenient for you. By the appointed date, you must prepare all the certificates according to the list received from us.

If you can apply for a child visa to America without an interview, we will prepare a set of documents and independently submit your application to the visa officers of the American diplomatic mission. Review of documents in this case usually occurs within one week from the date of submission of the application for a child visa to the United States.

4 – Go through an interview consultation. If you still need to undergo an interview to obtain a child visa, then a couple of days before the appointed date you can pay us a visit or call for a consultation.

When you visit in person, do not forget the prepared package of documents: we will review the collected certificates, sort them by importance, and if necessary, we will add documents from our side. We will prepare you for your upcoming child visa interview.

You will learn how the conversation goes, what questions may be addressed to you, and which ones to your child. We will tell you how to answer them correctly and how to behave.

5 – Successfully pass the interview! At the appointed time you must visit the Embassy in Moscow. Don’t forget a ready-made set of documentation for a child visa to the USA, registration files, your passport as a citizen of the Russian Federation and the child’s international passport. Personal appearance of the child is required only if he is 14 years old.

During the interview, follow our instructions and recommendations exactly. Everything will go well if you calmly and confidently answer the visa officer’s questions in accordance with our advice.

A child’s foreign passport with a child visa to America can be obtained from our company three working days after the interview.

Submit a visa application Fill out the visa questionnaire in Russian - Important! Services for obtaining non-immigrant visas to America St. Petersburg: (812) 938-6379 / Moscow: (495) 374-8035

Questionnaire in Russian

• Sincere thanks to the entire agency and personally to the manager Maria, who helped me prepare the necessary documents. Everything is clear and professional. I am ready to recommend it to everyone - financial expenses...
• I received a visa to the USA, but before my dream came true, I went through not a single bureaucratic circle to reach my intended goal. Like all newcomers who receive a visa for the first time, at first I tried to apply for everything myself...
• Good afternoon, I express my deep gratitude to Thomas and his company. I was very worried whether they would give me a visa, I asked a lot of questions to which Thomas patiently answered, while I sometimes asked 3 times the same thing and...
• Write a review All reviews

Features of obtaining a US visa for a child

Traveling abroad is often made not only by adults. Minor children also travel.

One of the popular destinations is currently America. To cross the border it is necessary

visa application

. Even if the tourist is a child under 14 years of age, permission is required.

The preparation procedure has some features. They appear depending on what type of pass is issued. Also, in accordance with the purpose of the visit, a special package of documents is required. It is important to know how to obtain a US visa for a child.

Sample bank account statement

What you need to know

To visit the United States of America, you must obtain a valid visa. For children under 14 years of age, issuance takes place according to a simplified scheme. A personal application to the embassy for this category of citizens is not required.

If you plan to travel abroad with parents or a school group, contact is possible through the Pony Express office.

You must pay the consular fee and submit an electronic application. If certain requirements are met, an interview is not required.

Parents can initiate a visa to replace the one that has expired. An application for travel permission is submitted for the child and parents at the same time. In this case, you must attach a copy of your previous visa.

If it is necessary to undergo an interview, it is important for parents to pre-register for it. The child does not have to visit the consulate . The mother or father will simply bring the minor's documents with them.

Persons over 14 years of age are required to undergo an interview. Even if you previously had a visa, one interview is required. Parents can be present while the child answers questions.

Sample form for a US visa:

Applying for a US visa for children

The visa for minors is issued for three years. A multiple-entry permit gives the right to enter America on a short-term basis. The visa does not indicate the number of days of stay in the country.

Typically, border guards allow no more than 180 days of stay per visit. A child can travel without parents, but with relatives, friends, a school group, or independently.

Documents must be reviewed by a US visa officer. Filling out a form is required. The specified data is checked especially carefully so as not to harm the child.

A simplified option for obtaining a visa is when a minor travels with parents or relatives who have American visas.

Children under 14 years of age are not required to submit fingerprints. The application is sent according to a simplified procedure . The child is not present at the time of treatment.

When visiting America alone or with friends, documents are sent according to the standard procedure. Parents must complete the interview without their child.

It is important to follow a certain procedure for applying for a US visa for children:

1. First you need to call or write to the US Visa Application Center. After the survey, employees evaluate the answers and assume whether the citizen will be able to obtain permission to travel to America . Experts also talk about the required package of documents, possible problems in obtaining permission, and also select the optimal registration option.
2. Next, you need to contact the center office directly with your child. You must take a standard package of documents with you. The specialist will determine whether an interview is necessary . After interviewing the child, he is photographed for the questionnaire. Payment of a consular fee is required.
3. You need to prepare the main package of documents. On the appointed date, the applicant arrives with a ready-made kit . If there is no need for an interview, all documents are transferred to the embassy by representatives of the visa center. Documents are reviewed within a week.
4. If you need to undergo an interview on the appointed day, you must come to the visa center with documents. The date of the upcoming interview will be determined.
5. At the appointed time, the citizen must come to the embassy in Moscow. The child does not need to be present. If the procedure is successfully completed, the visa is issued three days later at the visa center.

Sample receipt for payment of US visa fee

General terms

When issuing a visa for the first time, the parent will be required to undergo an interview at the consulate. A minor is considered dependent, so his documents are sent at the time the adult submits his papers.

Permission is first required for the parent. After this, you can apply for a visa for your child.

If a minor travels outside the country with a group, then parental consent, executed by a notary, is required. It is also important to provide information about the program for visiting the country, data from other children.

Both the parent and the child register for the interview. But at the same time, the latter should not be present at this moment, since he is dependent.

Required documents for a child under 14 years of age

To obtain a visa for a minor, parents need to provide a certain package of documents.

Confirmation of the purpose of the trip is required:

• if tourism is such, then you need to show the addresses of residence, the route;
• when leaving the country to study, documentation from the educational institution is attached;
• in case of visiting the United States to communicate with relatives, a letter with documents from the family in which the minor will live is required.

It is important to pay special attention to this point. After all, the visa officer closely checks the information reflected in it.

Download a sample application DS-160 for a US visa (for children)

You must have a certificate from the child’s place of education. It is drawn up in free form, but on the official letterhead of the school or college.

The document states:

• well;
• Class;
• type of training;
• telephone number and address of the institution;
• seal and signature of the manager.

It is important to have your student ID and grade book with you. The name of the university must match that indicated in the certificate.

The complete package includes a document reflecting the financial viability of the parents. This may be a certificate of income from the place of employment.

Download a sample certificate of employment for a US visa (in English, English)

Download a sample certificate of employment for a US visa

It's better to take her from both her mother's and her father's work. The certificate indicates the citizen’s position and length of service. A bank statement showing income for the last three months or six months is also required.

When a minor leaves the country with only one parent, the consent of the other is required. It is formalized by a notary. When traveling with grandparents, permission from the mother and father is required.

Sample of completed pages of a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation:

In the absence of parents, a certificate of deprivation of parental rights is attached. The mother can also take a document stating that the information about the father is entered correctly in the certificate.

Payment of the consular fee is required. The amount does not change for both adults and children.

A birth certificate must be attached. You need the original document, as well as a copy with a notarized translation.

Parents must have with them a general passport of the Russian Federation, as well as a valid international passport. The application is drawn up on the basis of the data specified in the identity cards.

Sample birth certificate

Submission methods

There are two main ways to submit documents for a visa. In the first case, when preparing a permit for a child under one year old, you can apply through Pony Express. The application is reviewed within two to three weeks.

If parents also need a visa, then an interview at the Embassy is required. The child's documents are submitted together with the papers of the mother and father.

Sample international passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation

A minor should not be present at the time of application. Visa requests are processed much faster. After completing the procedure, all passports are issued at once.

It is important to provide information about the child in the parents' application. Otherwise, consulate specialists will not consider the application.

Waiting times

Visas are often issued a few days after the interview. If additional consideration of the application is necessary, the waiting period may be increased.

This happens when preparing a study visa. In this case, it will not be possible to speed up the receipt process.

An interview can be scheduled at any time. The level of waiting depends on how many applications are submitted by citizens.

It is better not to buy tickets whose date is fixed. It is recommended to purchase them after receiving a positive result.

In most cases, a visa for a child is issued according to a simplified procedure. But sometimes a more thorough check and lengthy preparation of a permit are required.

Visas for children General information

All people visiting the United States, regardless of age, must have valid American visas, but obtaining a visa for a child follows a
simplified procedure. The main difference is that children under the age of 14 do not require a personal interview at the embassy.

 

Applying for a US visa for Russians: complete instructions

For Russians wishing to visit the United States of America in 2020, a travel document is required before travelling. A US visa is issued by the American Embassy in Russia.

Types of visas

Depending on the purpose of the trip, different types of US visas are issued. The list of required documents will depend on this. In this article we will tell you how you can get a visa yourself. This is what a B1/B2 class tourist visa looks like

For tourists and businessmen

The US tourist visa is the most popular. It is issued for those who want to go on vacation, for personal purposes, to see American sights, or are going for treatment. This visa has the “B1” category.

For short business visits, conferences, meetings with business partners, a US visitor visa with category “B2” is issued.

Often the visa document for these purposes is combined and a general B1/B2 document is issued.

For work

If you want to get a job in the States, you will need a work visa.

To obtain it, the employer or recruiting agency must first submit a Form I-129 petition to USCIS. If it is approved, the employer must receive confirmation on Form I-797. Only after approval can you submit documents to the consulate.

Confirmation of the petition does not guarantee a visa. Depending on your activity, you can receive a document of a certain category:

• H1-B – for qualified specialists with higher education, whose profile coincides with the purpose of the trip. The employer will need to submit an application to the Ministry of Labor, which will indicate the terms of the contract with you.
• H-2A – for agricultural workers. You can get this type for temporary or seasonal work if there are not enough American workers for it.
• H-2B – for temporary or seasonal employment. The employer will need to obtain a certificate from the Department of Labor that there are no available American workers for this vacancy.
• The H-3 is a non-immigrant US visa that can be obtained for an internship, provided that it is not a post-graduate internship and its duration does not exceed two years. Practice and internship may be paid. The document is issued if there is no opportunity for an internship in your country, and it will not be a source of industrial employment.
• H-4 – If you have received any H visa, your unmarried children under 21 years of age and your spouse can obtain this type of entry document. However, they will not have the right to work while in America.
• L-1 – for transfers to work in other branches of companies. Issued only for management positions. In this case, the person must have worked in this specialty for at least 12 months in his country over the past 3 years.
• L-2 – for the entry of family members who have received an L-1 visa. Unlike the H-4 type, the spouse has the right to work in the United States.
• O – for people with outstanding abilities in cinema, business, science, education and other activities, as well as their assistants.
• P – for some athletes and artists and their assistants, for participation in professional events.
• Q – for persons participating in programs for cultural exchange, introducing foreigners to history, and practical training. The program sponsor must submit a corresponding application to the migration service. Please note that when completing the online DS-160 application, you will be required to enter your SEVIS number. Enter zeros here as you don't need them.

For students

A US student visa is issued to those wishing to study in the United States. At the time of submission, you must already have received admission from the educational institution. There are 2 types of study visas:

• F-1 is the most popular visa option, issued for academic studies at colleges, universities and schools, or for studying English under special programs. An F-1 is also issued if the training time per week exceeds 18 hours. To study under a shortened program (less than 18 hours per week), you can use a regular B1 tourist visa.
• M-1 – issued for non-academic training (for example, vocational).

For the bride and groom

If a woman plans to marry an American, she will need a fiancé visa (K1) to enter the United States.

Similarly, such a visa (K1 type) can also be obtained by a man who intends to marry a US citizen.

Such a document gives the right to reside in the country on a permanent basis. After entering the country, you will have 3 months to get married.

Children of the bride or groom can obtain a K2 visa to enter the United States and live with a parent.

This type of visa is already considered an immigrant visa.

Independent visa application

Instructions on how to obtain a US visa on your own, without contacting a travel agency:

1. First of all, you need to fill out a visa application on the official website of the State Department: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/default.aspx using form DS-160. You will need to go through the registration procedure and confirm your email. Select Russian in the upper corner and fill out all fields following the prompts. Then print and save the completed application form to your computer.
2. Depending on the type of visa, you need to pay a consular fee. The official website mentions that the receipt is generated only on a computer. It cannot be generated on tablets and other devices.
3. Sign up for an interview on the official website: https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/. There you need to indicate the number of the receipt for payment of the consular fee, passport details, and the number of the completed application form. An invitation to an interview will be sent by email, indicating the date and time.
4. Please arrive for your interview at least 15 minutes in advance. Take with you a printed confirmation of application submission, a letter of invitation to an interview, a receipt, a photograph, a valid and all old passports. The consulate will take your fingerprints.
5. If you receive approval, the documents will be delivered to the specified address using the Pony Express courier service. Delivery costs are already included in the consular fee. You can change the delivery address and view the current status on the official website: http://ustraveldocs.com/ru_ru/ru-niv-passportretrieve.asp

Below we will talk in more detail about each point separately.

Required documents

You will need the following documents for a US visa:

• International passport;
• Printed confirmation of application DS-160;
• Printed invitation for an interview;
• Photo 5*5 cm (taken recently);
• Receipt for payment of the consular fee;
• Previous passports;
• You can also provide documents confirming your strong ties with Russia, proof of income, confirmation of the purpose of the trip. If you are engaged in scientific research, you can provide your resume or a list of scientific publications.

The main thing at an interview is not the number of certificates, but clear and truthful explanations about the purpose of the trip and connections with the country of residence.

Depending on the type of visa, additional certificates will be required. If you have had a criminal record or criminal arrests, you must provide evidence of them.

Visa processing takes from one week to a month. But the answer will be given immediately at the interview.

Filling out the DS-160 form

To fill out the electronic form DS-160, you will need the following information:

• An electronic photograph that meets the requirements.
• Data from international passport and regular passport of the Russian Federation.
• Information about the current and previous place of work or training (name, location, telephone number of the organization, position, responsibilities).
• Information about military service (place, time, rank).
• Details of spouse and parents: full name, date of birth.
• Information about visits to foreign countries over the past 5 years.
• What places are you going to visit?

After filling out the application, check that the entered data is correct. You will receive a ten-digit barcode of the application form. This confirmation must be printed.

The principles of filling out Form DS-160 and examples of answers to questions are shown in this video:

Photo requirements

If the photo provided does not meet the stated requirements, processing may be delayed.

Requirements for electronic photography

• A photo for a US visa must be no older than 6 months.
• The head should be completely visible and occupy 50-70% of the photo.
• On a printed visa, the photo size is 5 by 5 centimeters. In electronic form, the resolution is from 600*600 pixels to 1200*1200 pixels.
• Eyes must be open and looking at the camera. The face must be without a smile, casual clothing, without a headdress, headphones or other foreign objects.
• The background must be white.
• Photo format: color.
• If you wear glasses all the time, they can be present in the photo, but they should not create glare or cover your eyes.

Consular fee

The consular fee must be paid before applying for a US visa (before the interview). In case of refusal, the fee is not refunded. The amount will depend on the type of visa.

You can pay the fee at the dollar exchange rate at Russian Post offices in cash or by credit card. The receipt is valid for a year. During this time, you will be able to apply for a nonimmigrant visa.

This fee is paid separately for each person, including children.

The second payment option is by online card on the Russian Standard Bank website https://payusvisafee.rsb.ru

The cost of obtaining a visa is indicated in the table:

TypeDescriptionPrice (USD) B Business and tourism 160 C-1 Transit 160 D For crew members of ships and aircraft 160 E For international traders and investors 205 F For students (academic training) 160 H For seasonal workers and trainees 190 I For journalists and workers Media 160 J For participants in exchange programs 160 K For grooms, brides, spouses of US citizens 265 L For employees transferred to a company branch 190 M For students (professional training) 160 O For people with outstanding abilities 190 P For athletes, cultural figures and artists 190 Q For participants in cultural exchange programs 190 R For clergy (religious ministers) 190 T For victims of human trafficking 160 U For victims of criminal activity 160

Payment is made at the consular dollar exchange rate, which may be higher than that established by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

Visa for children under 14 years of age

In addition to the standard set of documents for the child, you need to prepare certified permission from both parents if he is traveling alone. You will also need to document the purpose of the trip. Children are not required to be present for paperwork and are exempt from fingerprint scanning.

Interview

You can sign up for an interview through the contact center by phone: +7 (495) 745 3388 (Local phone number) or 8 800 100 2554 (free call within Russia) or online at Ustraveldocs.com. You will need to enter the application ID and receipt for payment of the consular fee (or transaction number). After this, you can choose a convenient interview time.

In 2018, there are problems with registering at the consulate due to a reduction in the number of employees. Now free dates are sorted out within minutes of their availability. You can apply for a visa through the US consulates in Armenia, Kazakhstan, and the Baltic states.

At the interview, you must provide and confirm the following information:

• Purpose and duration of the trip.
• Availability of a permanent place of work with a certificate from the place of work indicating the position, salary and vacation dates.
• Confirm the availability of money with a bank account statement necessary to pay for the ticket and related expenses.
• Do you have a permanent place to live and people who can help you return home?

Tips for interview behavior

The interview is the main step in visa approval. If you follow these simple rules, you will increase your chances of having your application approved without providing additional documents.

• Answer all questions clearly and clearly.
• Clearly explain the timing and purpose of the visit.
• Answer only the questions that are asked of you; there is no need to provide unnecessary information.
• If you have difficulties with English, you need to make this clear in advance. However, students who come to study are required to speak good English.
• Provide your passport, application form, old passport if it contains visas from the USA, Great Britain, or Schengen countries. Show other documents only upon request.

Valid term of a visa

The consulate issues multiple-entry visas for a period of one to three years. You can enter the country throughout its validity period.

Re-obtaining a visa

To obtain a visa again, you must also pay the consular fee and fill out an application form. You will not have to undergo an interview if:

• You apply for a visa extension within 11 months of the expiration date of your previous visa. This rule was introduced in 2017.
• The application takes place in the country of permanent residence.
• You have already gone through the fingerprint scanning process for a US visa.
• You are applying for a visa of the same category as the previous one.
• “Clearance Received” was not marked on the previous visa.

In this case, the application can be submitted through an intermediary - Pony Express in your city.

Refusal of a visa

According to statistics, approximately 10% of US tourist visa applications are rejected.

• Most often, young people who are unmarried and have no children and who work in low-paid jobs are denied. This group also includes students and students who are completing their studies.
• During the interview, difficulties arose; the person did not inspire confidence, was nervous, and his answers did not agree with the data specified in the questionnaire.
• Previously, you stayed in the United States for a long time, but indicated a shorter period of time in the application form.
• Your relatives previously immigrated to the United States. This may serve as a refusal because it may be a reason for illegal migration.
• Previously, there were few trips to Europe. If you have a good visa history and extensive travel experience, this indicates a good level of your income.
• It is difficult to obtain a student visa, especially for a long stay. Difficulties may arise if the student is over 30 years old and does not speak English well.
• The authenticity of the certificates could raise doubts among the consular employee.

Watch the instructions for applying for a US visa in this video:

Applying for a US Visa

General information

All people visiting the United States, regardless of age, must have valid American visas, but obtaining a visa for a child follows a simplified procedure. The main difference is that children under the age of 14 do not require a personal interview at the embassy.

If a child is visiting the US with a parent who already has a US visa, or as part of a school group, a visa application for the child can be submitted through the Pony Express office.

 After paying the application fee and completing the electronic visa application (Form DS-160) on behalf of the child, register and create an account on this page. Follow the instructions for scheduling an interview. Read carefully and answer the questions in section 7.

If you meet the requirements for a visa without an interview, you will receive a letter confirming your application without an interview, with a list of documents. Print this letter and bring the following documents to the Pony Express office:

• A letter confirming the submission of an application without an interview.
• Child's passport
• A photocopy of the parent's (or grandparent's) US visa, or the child's program for staying in the US as part of a children's educational group, which must include a list of all children in the group.
• List of documents submitted along with a visa application without an interview.
• A new photograph of the child, taken no earlier than the last 6 months and meeting the criteria on this page. In most cases, YOU CANNOT USE THE PHOTO PROVIDED WITH YOUR PREVIOUS VISA APPLICATION. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in an increase in the processing time for your visa application.
• Any other documents required for issuing a visa of the required category.

You may also follow this procedure if one or both parents (or grandparents) are applying for a new visa without an interview to replace a recently expired visa. The child's visa application must be submitted at the same time as the parent's (or grandparent's) application, along with a copy of the recently expired visa.

If a parent of a child under 14 years of age who plans to travel to the United States with the child requires a visa interview, the child must also be scheduled for an interview as a dependent family member along with the relative with whom the trip is planned. Although your child will be scheduled for an interview, you do not need to bring him to the interview. Instead, the parent must bring the child's passport and a printed page confirming the child's interview with them to the interview.

Children 14 years of age and older must attend at least one interview, even if they previously held U.S. visas issued before they turned 14 years old. Parents may accompany their children to the interview.

How to get a US visa for a minor child

Often not only adults, but also children travel abroad. One of the popular destinations is traveling to America. In this situation, a US visa for a child under 14 years of age is a prerequisite for crossing the border.

Obtaining permission to visit the country has its own characteristics. The differences lie in different types of passes and documentation, the list of which depends on the purpose of the visit.

Goals of traveling abroad

For departure, permits of type B1 and B2 are issued.

The most common reasons for applying for a pass will be the following:

• a tourist route;
• visiting relatives;
• the process of studying in schools, colleges and higher institutions;
• recreation in camps;
• permanent residence.

Features of admission for a child

US visas for children under 14 years of age and older are issued for a period of up to 3 years. To do this, you need to obtain a child's passport.

They involve multiple crossings of the state border with short-term visits. The duration of a visit for one entry is up to 180 days.

Upon entry into the country, the migration service stamps the child’s passport document with the required number of days of stay.

One of the features of this pass is that the child can stay in the United States independently. You can travel with a group or other relatives, as well as individually.

What you need to provide to the consular department

A visa for a child is issued after review by the American Consulate staff. Before submitting your application, you must complete the DS-160 form in English. In addition, an additional package of documents is provided.

The list includes the following papers:

• Purpose of the trip.
• Marital status of the minor.
• Information about the child’s place of residence in the United States.
• Personal information of accompanying persons and sponsors.

Ways to obtain child visas

To maintain safety, United States officials are reviewing the situation surrounding entry into the country very carefully. Therefore, the consular officer reviews the documentation in detail and, if necessary, schedules an individual meeting with the applicants.

There are two ways to obtain a US visa for minors:

• A simplified scheme - implies the absence of an interview at the Consulate. This issue is decided according to age and specific situation.
• The standard scheme involves submitting biometric data of children over 14 years of age, followed by appearance for an interview.

Attention! Applying for a child permit depends on the age and whether the parents have entry approval.

Issuing a permit to a minor under 14 years of age

Obtaining a US visa for children under 14 years of age who are traveling with parents or close relatives, if they have valid permits, does not cause difficulties, since no fingerprinting procedure is required. Another reason is that a child of this age does not have a Russian passport.

In this case, a simplified application procedure applies - without the presence of adults. Even if the parents have a pass, they will need to pay the consular fee separately for the child’s document.

The following documents must be submitted:

• International passport. If you have a previous passport with an American visa, you must submit it together with the current package of papers.
• Copies of passes from parents, grandparents.
• Application data in English.
• A document that confirms your visa application.
• Receipt of paid consular fee.
• A photograph that is no more than 6 months old before the application for admission is processed.
• Photocopy of birth certificate data.

Obtaining permission for the first time

If a visa is issued for the first time to a parent and child, then the first-degree relative will need to undergo a personal interview at the Consulate. In this situation, the minor is registered as a “dependent”, so the documentation package must be submitted simultaneously with the application for a pass for an adult.

You can first obtain permission from your parent or guardian and then apply for the visa. The second option is difficult, as it lengthens the time for obtaining an affirmative decision.

Other conditions for issuing a pass

It is also possible to obtain permission if children travel as part of study groups. In this case, the consent of parents or guardians to travel abroad is submitted and information is provided about the program for visiting the country with the data of the children traveling together.

If a child under the age of 14 is entering the United States, alone or accompanied by distant relatives or friends, the parents will be required to be present in person for an interview with a visa officer.

A minor is also pre-registered for an interview, since he is a dependent family member. However, the presence of children is not necessary.

The following documents are required:

• International passport.
• A copy of the interview confirmation page. If several people are re-applying for a permit, you must submit the appropriate number of copies of the confirmation letter.

Important! You can obtain a US visa for your child according to a simplified scheme, in parallel with the parents submitting documents for re-issuance of the permit.

The provision of other information depends on the purpose of the visit, and the list is individual.

Additional information for obtaining permission

The more documents confirming trustworthiness are provided, the more likely a positive answer will be. Visa officers carefully consider the information before making an affirmative decision.

The following information may be required:

• state visit plan. It is necessary to provide information about the travel route and the place of stopping at the hotel if the visit is of a tourist nature. In case of guest entry, documents of the host party will be required. If a child crosses the border for educational purposes, information from the college or other institution will be needed;
• information about the place of study in Russia. The document is issued by the educational institution, with the appropriate signatures and seals, indicating the name of the center, class number, course, specialization. You need to take your student ID and grade book with you to the interview, as a service employee may require this information;
• information about income. It is one of the important types of documentation. You will need a certificate from the place of employment with information about the length of service, position, and salary of both parents. Data is required on the availability of a bank account and the movement of cash flows through it over the past three months. A certificate of financial balance will do. It must be sufficient for expenses abroad;
• parental consent for the child to travel to another country. It must be certified by a notary. Provided if he is traveling with one of his close relatives. If the children are under the guardianship of another person, you will need a document on the deprivation of parental rights or information from the registry office that information about the father is recorded from the words of the mother. You can submit a legally certified statement about the absence of participation of the second parent in the educational process.

Internet services for providing information

There is a dedicated online application service for entry permits called Visa Travels. Through it, you can fill out the necessary document in your electronic personal account for an interview. Filling out takes place online.

Below you can see the list of necessary certificates and papers that will be needed for the Consulate. They are referred to this service and await the result. This scheme allows you to significantly save time during the procedure.

Obtaining a visa for a minor, if you have a foreign passport, even for small children under 2 years old, does not present any significant difficulties.

And the requirements of the American Consulate for the safety of children allow parents to be confident in the protection of the legal rights of the child.

This approach ensures that the United States of America respects its obligations towards minor Russian citizens.