Embassy of the United States

This guide answers some of the most frequently asked questions about U.S. Visas. If you have other questions not answered here, you may contact the Consular Section through our CONTACT INFORMATION page.

With some exceptions the citizens of a foreign country will need a visa to enter the United States. Exceptions include most Canadian citizens and travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries who are travelling for a short tourist visit. Students, temporary workers, and others will need a visa even if they are from a Visa Waiver Program country.

Travelers from countries belonging to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not require a visa but require a travel authorization for business or tourism of less than 90 days duration.

Please visit the following webite for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

The passport must be a machine readable passport (MRP) and conform to requirements. The following website lists the MRP requirements according to the year the passport was issued. The website also lists the Visa Waiver Program participants. 

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/content_multi_image_0021.shtm  

If the passport does not meet the requirements listed on the website, but the traveler is from a Visa Waiver Program country, then the traveler will have two options:

• Apply for a U. S. visa 
• Obtain a new passport at the appropriate consulate or embassy.

 

3. I am transiting through the United States, will I need a visa? The Transit without Visa (TWOV) Program has been suspended until further notice.   All foreigners transiting the U.S. are required by law to have a visa or travel authorization for Visa Waiver Program Countries.

• Transit only – travelers must present the Transit Visa (C1)
• Transit and Visiting/ Business - travelers must present a Tourist/ Business visa (B1/B2)
• Travelers who already have a B1/B2 Visa may transit the United States without a C1 Visa.

It is highly recommended that applicants apply in thier home district, country of residence, or at an embassy designated for their application.

Applicants not residing in Qatarmay apply for visas at the American Embasy in Doha. However, they should be aware this may make it more difficult to demonstrate their qualifications for the visa.

5. I am not Qatari, can I apply for a visa in Qatar or do I need to apply in my home country?

All nationalities residing in Qatar may apply for a visa.

Applicants that have obtained a multiple entry tourist visa may use it to re-enter the United States after a short visit to a neighboring country.

Please visit: How do I Apply for a Visa?

Please visit: What Happens Next?

Please visit: Gather your documents

All non-immigrant visa applicants over the age of 16 must present a completed Form DS-157 in addition to Form DS-156. The DS-157 asks additional questions about your previous travel, military service, educational institutions you’ve attended, and similar topics.

Your passport must have a minimum of six months validity in order to receive a visa.

12. My family is applying for a visa, can I bring my children?

Children 13 years and under do not need to attend the interview.   Parents are kindly asked to bring only the family members 14 years and above.

A parent sharing the same passport with his/her children must present separate application forms, Commercial Bank Receipts, and photos for each person.

If approved each person will be issued a individual visa. Please ensure there are enough blank pages in your passport before making your application.

14. How do I schedule an appointment?

Please visit: https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=DOH&appcode=3

15. Do I need to appear for an interview?

Every applicant applying for a visa will need to appear for an interview.   Exceptions are children 13 years and under and adults over age 80.

16. I did not print my appointment confirmation number; do I need it to enter the embassy?

A printed appointment confirmation number is required for applicants to enter the U. S. Embassy on the day of the scheduled interview. 

At this time, The U. S. Embassy does not have the ability to retrieve confirmation numbers for confirmed appointments.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to print the confirmation number for their scheduled appointments.

Please visit the following website for cancelations or rescheduling.  (You will need to have your confirmation number available).

https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=DOH&appcode=3

18. I need to travel to the U.S. urgently; how can I get an immediate appointment?

We almost always have appointments immediately available. Check the schedule first. If there are no appointments available on the appointment system at:  https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=DOH&appcode=3 

Then send an email to NIVCONSULARDOHA@state.gov .

Every applicant applying for a visa is required to pay the MRV non refundable fee of $131.00 or QR 479.00. Exceptions are diplomatic passport holders and official travelers.

Some applicants will be required to pay a reciprocity fee.   Please visit the following website for country specific information: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3272.html  

The application fee can be paid at any branch of the Commercial Bank in Doha, Qatar.   Present your original passport to the bank teller and say you are applying for a visa to the United States.

If you are planning to study in the United States under the F, J, or M visa categories, you must pay an initial fee to register with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This fee is in addition to your MRV application fee. 

Please visit the following website to

• Pay Fee Online by Credit Card: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/students/formSelection.htm 
• Pay fee by Western Union Quick Pay: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu_instr.htm     

To check the status of your payment please visit: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/  

For I-901 Fee Assistance send your email to fmjfee.SEVIS@dhs.gov or call I-901 Customer Service hotline at 212-620-3418.

The commercial bank receipt is valid for one year.

No. Each family member must have a separate receipt.

24. If I decide to not travel to the United States after I have paid the MRV fee, may I receive a refund?

No. The application fee is non-refundable.

25. How do I transfer my visa to my new passport?

We do not transfer visas.

A valid visa can still be used in an expired passport, as long as you present both old and new passports at the time you arrive in the United States.   The other option is to apply for a new visa for your new passport. If this is what you prefer, please visit our website for our application procedures.

Applicants must have a minimum of six months validity when they apply for a visa and when they travel to the United States.

If you returned home with your Department of Homeland Security Form I-94 (white) or Form I-94W (green) Departure Record in your passport, it means that your departure was not recorded properly. It is your responsibility to correct this record. You must provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sufficient information to record your timely departure. This will close out your earlier record of arrival to the United States.

If you failed to turn in your I-94 Departure Record, please send it, along with any documentation that proves you left the United States, to:

To validate departure, CBP will consider a variety of information, please visit the following website for more information: http://www.cbp.gov/  

28. I had my interview and I was told that additional processing is required. Where do I find the status of my application on line?

Please visit: Status of Visa Application

Please send email to NIVCONSULARDOHA@state.gov  

Applicants should wait until the application process has been completed.

Status of Applications is updated the next business day. If your number is still not available on our website after one week please send an email NIVCONSULARDOHA@state.gov  

32. I was refused under Section 214(b), what is that?

Every applicant must qualify under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952, as amended, which contains a presumption, that nonimmigrant visa applicants are actually intending immigrants. They are ineligible to obtain nonimmigrant visas unless they can prove they have a permanent residence abroad which they have no intention of abandoning. This is normally established by demonstrating family, social, and employment, economic or other ties in another country, which will compel them to return there after a temporary stay in the United States.

Ineligibility under section 214(b) is not permanent and may be overcome in future visa applications. We suggest waiting until your circumstances have changed significantly before applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the future.

Strong ties differ from country to country, city to city, individual to individual. Some examples of ties can be a job, a house, a family, and other capital assets. "Ties" are the various aspects of your life that bind you to your country of residence: your possessions, employment, social and family relationships.

If you have information regarding visa abuse and visa fraud, please let us know by sending us an email to fpmdoha@state.gov .