Nonimmigrant Visas

How To Apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa

Where can I apply for a Visa?

The United States Embassy in Tripoli, Libya is not yet processing visa applications for the general public. The U.S. Embassy is working to make visa processing available to the public in Libya as soon as practicable an official announcement will be made regarding the commencement of visa services.  In the meantime, Libyan citizens and other nationals residing in Libya must apply for a U.S. visa outside of Libya. For visa-processing purposes, Libya is part of U.S. Embassy Tunis’ consular district.  Residents of Libya should plan to apply for visas in Tunis. For information on applying for a visa in Tunis, please refer to their website.

When Can I Apply for a Visa?

All applicants must make an appointment for their interview using our online system. This allows us to provide timely and professional service to all applicants. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged.  Applicants without appointments will not be allowed into the Embassy. Click here to make your interview appointment. Please note that families applying for visas are required to book an appointment for each member of the family including children.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Visa?

It is important to start your visa application process as early as possible, since administrative processing can delay the issuance of a visa. The Embassy has no way to predict how quickly your visa may be ready, so it is vital that you apply as early as possible. Please not that at present, if the visa is issued, applicants from Libya have to pay a reciprocity fee of $10.00 or equivalent in Tunisian dinars.

What Do I Need to Take to My Interview?

U.S. Immigration Law presumes that every applicant for a nonimmigrant visa is an intending immigrant. The burden of proof rests with the applicants to establish that they have a permanent residence abroad to which they fully intend to return after a temporary visit to the United States during which they will abide by their nonimmigrant status.

U.S. Embassy consular officers interview all persons, regardless of age, applying to travel to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa.  All applicants are required to appear in person and present the following documents:

Passport valid for a minimum of six months with at least one empty page

One recent photo – 5cm x 5cm, with a white background. In general, the applicant's head, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side. It is preferable that ears be exposed. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not cover any portion of the applicant's face.

$131 or the equivalent in local currency of visa issuing country (visa fees are non-refundable)

Visa applications duly completed and signed.

              -DS-156

              -DS-157 (only for males between 16 and 45 years old—may be handwritten)

IMPORTANT NOTE:  All visa applicants are required to use the internet-based Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF), which is available at http://evisaforms.state.gov.  Hand-written forms will no longer be accepted.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants should be prepared to clearly demonstrate their economic, family and social ties to their country of residence.  All applicants must convince the interviewing officer of their ability to independently travel to the United States for the intended purpose, and their intention to return to their home countries following a temporary visit to the United States.

Since each case is unique, each applicant should provide information and documentation which best supports his or her situation.