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Q: When should I re-apply for my visa?
Citizens of Guyana holding Guyanese passports must have a current U.S. visa prior to travel to the United States. The B1/B2 visa is the most common visa used for travel. With strong cases, the B1/B2 visa is issued with a validity of ten years and allows the bearer of the visa multiple entries to the United States for the purpose of either certain business or tourism.
However, in some cases – especially if an applicant is a child, has not traveled previously, or has not otherwise fully satisfied the requirements for a full validity visa - the consular officer will issue a limited validity visa for a shorter period of time and/or a limited number of entries. The validity of the visa and the number of entries allowed is specified on the visa.
In general, a traveler who anticipates regular travel to the United States should re-apply for a new visa a month or two before the expiration of the old one. However, one should not assume that because he or she was in possession of a visa in the past, that the applicant will automatically be re-issued a new visa. Because the situation which first led to a visa issuance may have changed, the applicant is required to prove that he or she is still eligible for issuance. For example, if someone was previously issued a visa, based, in part, on the applicant’s high paying job and many years of employment, this same applicant may no longer be qualified for a visa if he or she has since lost this job. The Embassy advises applicants to withhold from making any concrete travel plans, especially purchasing plane tickets, unless they have already obtained their visas.
Q: When can I re-apply for a visa if I was recently refused at the interview?
Applicants who have been refused because they do not have strong ties to Guyana may apply again at any time as long as they pay a new application fee and obtain another interview appointment. However, applicants who apply very soon after a refusal will be asked what has changed socially, economically or personally since the previous application. If the applicants’ situation is essentially the same, they will most likely still not be eligible for a visa. Applicants should not apply again until there has been a significant change which will help to strengthen their case. Please note the decision of the consular officer to issue or deny a visitor’s visa cannot be appealed.
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