FAQs
Travel with Visas
I am not a citizen or resident of Belgium. May I apply for a visa in Brussels?
Applicants for most types of visas may apply anywhere in the world that they are physically present. You should know, however, that the consular officer’s ability to accurately evaluate visa qualifications of applicants from other countries may be limited. This could substantially reduce the likelihood that a visa will be granted.
I have a visa. Do I still need a return ticket to enter the United States?
No. If you do not have a return ticket and are entering the United States for business or pleasure, however, the Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry may have additional concerns about your intended length of stay and ability to support yourself. In such cases it is very important to be able to explain and document your plans and financial resources.
My visa expires next week but I need to go to the United States tomorrow for a month-long trip. Will my visa be valid for the trip?
The visa expiration date indicates the last day you may arrive at the border to request permission to enter the United States. It does not indicate how long you are permitted to stay. The U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Patrol at the port of entry makes the final decision on admission and the time you are permitted to stay.
I have a valid visa in my old passport. Can I transfer it to my new one?
You cannot “transfer” a visa from one passport to another without submitting a new visa application and paying the processing fee. You may, however, travel to the United States carrying both your old and new passports as long as the visa in your old passport has not been cancelled or physically altered (e.g. when the issuing authority cuts the corners of the passport and visa pages.)
I have a visa that is valid for two years. How long can I stay in the United States?
Visa validity is not related to how long you can stay in the United States. It only indicates the last date that you can arrive at a U.S. port of entry to request admission from the Bureau of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). In every case CBP makes the final determination about the maximum duration of your visit and notes the required departure date beneath the entry stamp in your passport.
In some cases (e.g. student and exchange visitors) CBP may indicate that you are admitted for “duration of status” and may mark your passport with “DS” or “D/S.” This means that you may remain in the United States as long as you maintain your status, e.g., that you remain continuously enrolled in a full-time course of study or continue to participate in the exchange visitor program. When you lose that status or it expires you are required to depart the United States.
If I have a visa does that guarantee I can enter the United States?
No. A valid visa permits you to apply for admission to the United States at an airport or other port of entry. The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection makes the final decision about entry and duration of stay.
What if I want to stay in the United States longer than the time CBP authorizes?
You may not extend your stay in the United States if you entered under the Visa Waiver Program. If you entered using a visa, however, and want to extend your stay, you must request permission from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your authorized stay expires. For detailed information about how to file for an extension of stay, see the USCIS web site at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis or click on the following link: How do I extend my stay?