United States Consulate General

1075 West Pender Street

**Vancouver, Canada**

**[ALL APPLICANTS]{.underline}** for any type of visa **must first make
an appointment** (except for eligible applicants opting to use Mail-In
Program as described on the reverse side of this form). **Most visas are
processed the same day by 3:00 p.m**. However, **PLEASE NOTE!!** Your
appointment may need to be cancelled, or your application may be refused
or be delayed by unforeseen processing requirements.

**DO NOT** make irrevocable travel plans prior to obtaining your visa!!

**STEP 1 -- THE APPOINTMENT**

You may make an appointment using one of the following methods:

-   [[www.nvars.com]{.underline}](http://www.nvars.com/) (flat rate
    \$10.00 CDN)

-   Calling from Canada 1-900-451-2778 (\$2.00 CDN /minute)

-   Calling from U.S.A 1-900-443-3131 (\$1.65 USD / minute)

-   Credit Card 1-888-840-0032 (\$1.50 CDN/min)

The 900 numbers listed may be blocked from hotels, offices, and pay
phones. The credit card line is more widely accessible.

**Note: Consular offices are closed on Canadian and U.S. holidays. If a
U.S. holiday falls on a weekend, the Consulate will be closed the
following Monday. If a Canadian holiday falls on a Saturday, the
Consulate will be closed the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday,
the Consulate will be closed the following Monday.**

**STEP 2 -- THE APPLICATION FORM**

-   Complete both sides of the attached DS-156 application form for each
    applicant in blue or black ink.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Print all answers clearly.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   [Do not]{.underline} leave any questions blank, as incomplete forms
    [will not]{.underline} be processed. Print N/A if the item is not
    applicable.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   If several family members travel on a single passport, complete a
    separate application for each traveler, including infants.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Glue to the front of the application form a passport type photo,
    full face, measuring 2 x 2 inches, with a light or white background,
    and taken within the past 6 months for each applicant.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Sign and date the application form.

-   All males ages 16-45 must also **fully complete form DS-157**.
    Additionally, all applicants 16 or older (male and female) who are
    nationals, natives or permanent residents of Cuba, Iran, Iraq,
    Libya, North Korea, Sudan or Syria must complete **form DS-157**.

**[Note:]{.underline} You are personally responsible for your answers.
Providing false information on a visa application is grounds for
permanent exclusion from the United States.**

**STEP 3 -- REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION**

-   A valid passport (or official travel document for stateless persons
    or refugees). The passport should be valid for at least 6 months
    past your intended stay in the United States. Applicant's name in
    the passport must be in Latin Letters (English). Damaged, invalid or
    altered passports will not be accepted.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Proof of current status in CANADA: landed immigrant documentation
    (original IMM-1000 or "Maple Leaf"" permanent resident card) or
    original Canadian student, employment, visitor or Minister's Permit
    authorization.

-   If you are renewing a visa that has not yet expired, you MUST
    provide the passport containing the prior visa, if available. It is
    strongly recommended that you also bring any other current or
    expired passports issued to you, particularly those containing
    previously issued U.S. visas.

-   Most applicants must be able to show strong commitments to a home
    outside the U.S. Therefore, you should submit evidence of economic
    and social ties to your home country, such as bank letters or
    statements, property title or rental agreements, proof of car
    ownership, etc. If you are currently employed, provide a signed and
    dated letter from your employer stating your position, job title,
    salary and the date you started working. If you are currently a
    student, provide a signed and dated letter from your school
    indicating dates of enrollment and course of study. Depending on the
    purpose of your trip, you should also submit the following:

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   For business: a signed and dated letter from your employer
    confirming sponsorship of your trip, a detailed itinerary, including
    client contact information, and a detailed description of your
    intended activities while in the U.S.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   For study in the U.S. ("F" and "M" visas): a completed Form I-20 and
    proof of funds to cover tuition and expenses. All "F" and "M"
    applicants, including dependents, **must also complete a form
    DS-158.**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   For exchange visitors ("J" visas): a completed Form DS-2019. All "J"
    applicants, including dependents, **must also complete a form
    DS-158.**

> **[Note*:*]{.underline} All "F,""M" and "J" applicants must ensure
> that their sponsoring institution has first electronically confirmed
> their participation through the Department of Homeland Security's
> Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).**

-   For applicants for "H", "L", "O", "P" and "Q" visas: original form
    I-797 approval notice (I-797(C) forms NOT acceptable). A copy of the
    complete I-129 petition package used to obtain this approval is
    highly recommended.

**STEP 4 -- FEES**

-   A \$100.00 [non-refundable]{.underline} **application fee** is
    required for every applicant. The fee is payable only in U.S. funds
    and in **EXACT CHANGE, CASH ONLY** (no coins).

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   There may be a separate **reciprocity fee** charged for your
    approved visa, depending on your nationality, place of residence and
    type of visa being issued. For further details please inquire with
    the telephone numbers provided, or visit:
    www.travel.state.gov/reciprocity/index.htm.

## STEP 5 -- PERSONAL APPEARANCE

All applicants **must appear in person for their visa appointment**.
This requirement may only be waived for applicants with appointments who
are **landed immigrants in Canada aged** **16 or younger** or **60 and
over**, although these applicants **must be physically present** in
British Columbia or the Yukon at the time of the appointment.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide a translator if
lacking adequate English language skills.

**Applications that fail to meet the above requirements will not be
accepted. In all cases, the consul may request additional information or
documentation before making a final decision on your application.**

**A VISA DOES NOT GUARANTEE ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES!!**

The U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) in the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has authority to deny admission at
a U.S. port of entry. Also, the period for which the bearer of a visa is
authorized to remain in the United States is determined by the BCBP, not
the consular officer. At the port of entry, a BCBP official must
authorize the traveler's admission to the U.S. At that time, the BCBP
Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay
permitted, is validated. Those visitors who wish to stay beyond the date
indicated on their Form I-94 must contact the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship
and Immigration Services (BCIS) to request an application to extend
status. The decision to grant or deny a request for extension of stay is
made solely by the BCIS.

**DO YOU NEED A VISA?**

If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, you must
first obtain a U.S. visa before entering the United States for any
purpose, with the following exceptions:

1)  **If you are a CANADIAN CITIZEN**, you do **not** need a visa to
    enter the United States for any purpose other than in diplomatic
    status ("A" and "G" visas), as a treaty trader or investor ("E"
    visas), as a fiancé(e) or spouse of an American citizen intending to
    apply for permanent residency in the United States ("K" visas), or
    for permanent residency (immigrant visas). Except for the categories
    described above, all Canadian citizens must apply for permission to
    enter the United States directly at the port of entry to a U.S.
    Customs and Border Protection officer. Please note that certain
    entry categories (e.g. H1B temporary employment) require advance
    authorization from the Citizenship and Immigration Service.

2)  If you are directly transiting the U.S. to a third country, you may
    be eligible to **TRANSIT WITHOUT VISA (TWOV)** if:

-   The airline has an agreement with the Bureau of Customs and Border
    Protection to carry passengers in transit (check with the airline --
    the Consulate does not have a list of carriers).

-   You have no more than two transfers of aircraft in the U.S.

-   You are in possession of an onward ticket and have the ability to
    enter a country other than the U.S.

-   You are scheduled to depart the U.S. on the same or connecting
    flight within 8 hours of arrival, or on the next available flight.

-   You will arrive at one of the TWOV designated ports of entry.

Citizens of the following countries are **NOT ELIGIBLE** to TWOV
(regardless of legal residence): AFGHANISTAN, ANGOLA, BANGLADESH,
BELARUS, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA, BURMA, BURUNDI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC,
CHINA (PRC), COLOMBIA, CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE), CUBA, INDIA, IRAN, IRAQ,
LIBYA, NIGERIA, NORTH KOREA, PAKISTAN, SERBIA, SIERRA LEONE, SOMALIA,
SRI LANKA, AND SUDAN.

Certain criminal records and other statutory grounds for exclusion under
U.S. immigration law may also render an applicant ineligible to TWOV.

***[Note:]{.underline}*** Transit Without Visa from Canada through the
U.S. to a third country presents unique difficulties. The airlines often
do not want to TWOV a passenger because in Canada a traveler goes
through U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection at the Canadian
airport before entering the U.S. This means when the traveler arrives in
the U.S. he or she arrives at a domestic terminal and not in a secure
international area. TWOV passengers arriving from Canada must therefore
be met and escorted through the airport and into a secure transit
lounge. Airlines don\'t usually want to do this as they have limited
personnel, flights may arrive early or late and they are liable if the
passenger strays. If the airlines wish to TWOV these passengers, they
will charge an extra fee and no visas will be required in that case -
but they may refuse, in which case the passenger requires at least a
transit visa.

3.  The **VISA WAIVER PROGRAM** **(VWP)** enables citizens of
    participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or
    business for 90 days or less without obtaining a U.S. visa.

The following countries currently participate in the Visa Waiver
Program: ANDORRA, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BRUNEI, DENMARK, FINLAND,
FRANCE, GERMANY, ICELAND, IRELAND, ITALY, JAPAN, LIECHTENSTEIN,
LUXEMBOURG, MONACO, NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, PORTUGAL, SAN
MARINO, SINGAPORE, SLOVENIA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, AND THE UNITED
KINGDOM.

To enter the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program, travelers from
participating countries must:

-   Have a valid passport issued by the participating country and be a
    citizen (not merely a resident) of that country. ***As of October 1,
    2003, the passport presented at the U.S. port of entry must be a
    machine-readable passport. For Belgian citizens this regulation
    takes effect May 15, 2003.***

-   Be seeking entry for 90 days or less as a temporary visitor.

-   If entering by air or sea, have a round-trip transportation ticket
    issued on a carrier that has signed an agreement with the U.S.
    Government to participate in the VWP, and arrive in the United
    States aboard such a carrier.

> **[Note]{.underline}: Entry at a land border crossing point from
> Canada or Mexico is permitted under the VWP. Travelers who apply for
> entry at a land border crossing point are not required to present
> round-trip transportation tickets or arrive at the border entry point
> aboard a carrier who has signed an agreement with the U.S. to
> participate in the VWP. All other VWP requirements apply to such
> travelers.**

-   Have proof of financial solvency and hold a completed and signed
    visa waiver arrival/departure form (I-94W), on which he/she has
    waived right to a hearing of exclusion or deportation. These forms
    are available from participating carriers, from travel agents, and
    at land border ports-of-entry. (Travelers should consult carriers to
    verify which ones are participating before making travel
    arrangements).

> **[Note*:*]{.underline} Travelers previously denied visas, or entry
> into the United States under the VWP, are ineligible to enter the U.S.
> on the Visa Waiver Program. Certain criminal records and other
> statutory grounds for exclusion under U.S. immigration law may also
> render an applicant ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program.**

#### VISAS BY MAIL

1)  The option to apply for a visa by mail is **only** available to
    landed immigrants in Canada **16 years of age or younger** or **60
    years of age or older** applying for visitor visas (B1/B2) who have
    been resident as landed immigrants in Canada for a minimum of 6
    months. Please note that citizens, nationals, natives or permanent
    residents of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria
    are not eligible for the mail-in program regardless of age or landed
    status in Canada.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
2)  To use the mail-in program, please complete your application in
    accordance with instructions in steps 2 and 3 of this form.

3)  Please provide a money order payable to the "U.S. Consulate General"
    for US\$100 per application.

4)  Mail your completed application, your passport, money order and
    supporting documents, along with a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope
    to:

Visa Unit, U.S. Consulate General

1095 West Pender Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6

5)  Please allow up to one month for processing of your application by
    mail. Your passport will be returned to you in the stamped,
    self-addressed envelope you provide. It is recommended to use
    registered mail service. If you fail to provide a stamped,
    self-addressed envelope, your visa application will be subject to
    considerable delay. It is your responsibility to send your
    application to the Consulate General far enough in advance of your
    intended trip for processing and mailing.

6)  The Consulate General assumes no responsibility for passports or
    documents sent by mail.

**[Note:]{.underline} All applicants, regardless of age, must be present
in the consular district (British Columbia and the Yukon) at the time of
the application.**

> **QUESTIONS?**
>
> If you have any questions pertaining to any of this information please
> phone 1-900-451-2778 from Canada or 1-900-443-3131 from the United
> Sates (per minute toll charges will apply). You may also visit the
> following websites for additional information:

**http://www.travel.state.gov/**

**http://www.amcits.com/**

**http://www.usembassycanada.gov/**