Non Immigrant Visas

Customer Service Statement to Visa Applicants

The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States and those within its borders, whether visitors or residents. We are committed to the concept of essential openness and we welcome and encourage legitimate travel to the United States, as epitomized by our motto, "Secure Borders, Open Doors."

We promise to you, the visa applicant, that:

-We will treat you with dignity and respect, even if we are unable to grant you a visa.
-We will treat you as an individual and your case as unique.
-We will remember that, to you, a visa interview may be a new or intimidating experience and that you may be nervous.
-We will use the limited time available for the interview to get as full a picture as possible of your travel plans and intentions.
-We will use our available resources to assist fairly all applicants in making appointments to allow travel in time for business, study, and other important obligations.
-We will post detailed and accurate information on visa requirements and application procedures on every Embassy and Consulate website.

At the same time, we expect you, the visa applicant, to:

·         Plan your travel and visa application as far in advance as possible.
·         Complete your application fully and accurately.
·         Be forthcoming about your purpose and plans.
·         Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.

Application Fees for Non-Immigrant Visas

As of January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. non-immigrant visa is $131.  This fee allows the Department of State to recover the costs of security and other enhancements to the non-immigrant visa application process. The application fee has increased twice since September 11, 2001, the last time in 2002.   

Non-immigrant Visas

General Information

The United States Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, does not process visa applications for the general public.  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 the district of the U.S. Embassy in Tunis and residents of Libya should apply in Tunis. For information on applying for a visa in Tunis, please refer to the website of the U.S. Embassy in Tunis.

In general, all applicants should present a valid passport, completed internet-based application forms, one photograph, and pay the $131.00 visa processing fee. This fee worldwide, payable in U.S. dollars or in the local currency of the visa issuing country, is not refundable, even if the visa application is refused. If the visa is issued, applicants from some countries may be charged a reciprocity visa fee according to reciprocal fees between the U.S. and other countries. At present, there is an issuance fee of $10.00 or equivalent in the local currency of the visa issuing country for Libyan nationals.

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 fees, photograph, and passport, applicants should bring any documents they believe will demonstrate economic, family, or other reasons to return to their home countries following a temporary visit to the United States.  These documents could include proof of employment, salary, school certificates, business licenses or any additional evidence showing the applicant's ties to his or her country of residence. Applicants should also provide a specific address in the United States, and evidence that they have sufficient financial resources to cover their proposed stay in the United States.

General Announcement

 

The Embassy does not authorize or approve the use of any specific outside agency to complete a nonimmigrant visa form or set an appointment for an interview. The on-line application may be completed and an interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Tunis may be scheduled for no charge at http://tunisia.usembassy.gov/visas.html. We remind applicants that, regardless of who fills out the application on their behalf, the applicants are responsible for the accuracy of all the information on their application.  Applicants should ensure that the answers to all questions on the application are true. Lying on a visa application will result in the application being refused, and could result in permanent ineligibility to travel to the United States.