Skip Navigation
You Are In: Visas > Non-Immigrant Visas > How to Apply
Skip Left Section Navigation

Non-Immigrant Visas

How to Apply

STEP 1: Complete and Print your application forms

Each applicant must complete Form DS-156. Go to https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=GEO&appcode=3 and click on Electronic Visa Application Forms.

Male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 must also complete Form DS-157; you may download this form from http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/ 

Students must also complete Form DS-158, which they can download from http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/.

STEP 2: Pay the Application and Processing Fee

Each applicant must pay the non-refundable processing fee of US $131.00 or the equivalent in Guyana dollars for each applicant at Demerara Bank. Applicants must pay the processing fee prior to the visa appointment and bring the payment receipt with them to the Embassy on the day of their appointment.

The following Demerara Bank branches accept NIV processing fees:
230 Camp & South Streets, Georgetown: 8:00 – 14:00 hrs (Mondays - Thursdays).
8:00 – 14:30 hrs (Fridays)

71 Public Road, Rose Hall, Corentyne: 8:00 – 14:00 hrs (Mondays – Thursdays)
8:00 – 14:30 hrs (Fridays)

STEP 3: Schedule your appointment

Go to https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=GEO&appcode=3 and click on Schedule Appointment.

STEP 4: Attend the interview

  • Come to the Embassy for your interview on your scheduled appointment date. You should arrive at the Embassy at the time indicated and ensure you bring the receipt for the non-refundable processing fee. The Embassy has instituted staggered appointments to decrease applicants’ wait time. However due to security screening and staffing constraints, applicants should be prepared to wait for two to four hours from their scheduled appointment time until the actual interview.
  • Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel to the United States. Each person, including children should have his/her own passport Applicants must also bring one photograph, 2 inches square (50 x 50 mm), showing the full face (without glasses), with the ears exposed, against a white or off white background. Do not wear white clothing that will blend into the background.
  • Only applicants are admitted to the interview – except children under 18 years of age, who must be accompanied by both parents or a court appointed legal guardian with proof of identification. Please note that consular officers will generally require the consent of both parents before issuing a visa to a minor. Elderly or disabled persons may be accompanied by an able-bodied adult with some form of photo identification.
  • The following are not permitted inside the Consular Section:
    All battery operated or electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, digital diaries, digital watches, pagers, cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3’s, floppies, laptops, palmtops or portable music players. Food items, sealed envelopes or packages, cigarettes, cigars, match boxes and lighters. Sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives, nail files, weapons or explosive material of any kind. Bags such as travel bags, back packs, briefcases, suitcases, leather, jute or cloth bags and zip folders. Only a small ladies handbag and/or a plastic bag containing application-related papers will be permitted.

The list provided above is not finite. Other items may be prohibited based on security staff discretion.

QUALIFYING FOR A NONIMMIGRANT VISA

  • U.S. immigration law presumes that every applicant is an intending immigrant. Applicants must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that they have compelling reasons to return to Guyana at the end of their visit to the United States. Applicants should be able to convey their ties to Guyana to the Consular Officer during the interview.
  • Persons traveling to the United States for medical reasons should provide: a letter from a U.S. doctor agreeing to treat the patient stating the length and the estimated cost of the treatment; a letter from a U.S. hospital stating the estimated amount to be billed for services; and proof of financial assets to pay for medical costs incurred. Proof of financial assets may include an affidavit of support from the individual(s) who will be responsible for paying medical costs, or if treatment is self-financed, personal bank statements and other financial documents may be presented. Prepayment of treatment is an option for applicants. In these cases, the applicant should present their receipts from the hospital and doctor at the time of the interview. Applicants may also present a letter from a local Medical Doctor stating the circumstances of the treatment. Applicants must also demonstrate their social, financial, and family ties in Guyana.
  • Business travelers should provide a letter from their firm indicating the purpose of the trip, the intended length of stay, and the firm’s intent regarding travel costs. Business travelers should be able to demonstrate their social, financial, and family ties in Guyana whether or not their firm is paying for the trip.
  • Persons traveling to the United States in transit to another country must still overcome the presumption that they are intending immigrants. Travelers in transit should also demonstrate their social, financial, and family ties in Guyana and a visa for the destination country (if needed).
  • Applicants for F, J and M visas with I-20 or DS-2019 forms must pay the SEVIS fee of US$100 before applying for their visas. Further information about the SEVIS fee is located at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/. The Western Union fee payment method offers an additional convenient option to students and exchange visitors wishing to pay in $GY. Payment must be processed at least three business days prior to the scheduled date of the visa interview. Student visa applicants must bring their exam results (such as CXC, SAT) and evidence of their ability to pay for all tuition and other expenses. Students must also complete Form DS-158, which they can download from http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79965.pdf. Please note that student visa-holders will not be permitted to enter the United States until 30 days prior to the designated registration date.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE VISA APPLICANT

  • Unless previously canceled, a visa is valid until its expiration date. If you have a valid U.S. visitor visa in an expired passport, you may use it along with a valid passport for travel to the United States.
  • Applicants for visitor visas should not find it necessary to employ persons to assist them in preparing documents.
  • Visitors are not permitted to accept employment during their stay in the United States.

NOTE: Attempting to obtain a visa by fraud or willfully misrepresenting a material fact will result in refusal and permanent denial of entry into the United States. Visa fraud is also a violation of Guyanese law that can lead to local prosecution!

PROCEDURE FOR VISA APPLICATIONS DUE TO AN EMERGENCY

Persons wishing to travel due to an emergency may contact the U.S. Embassy Inquiries Clerk (225-7965 or 225-7966, 800 – 4:00 PM, Mon – Fri or by emailing http://visasgeorge@state.gov to request an earlier appointment date Early appointments are granted on an individual basis, depending on the availability of an interviewing officer and the type of emergency. Persons granted an early appointment date due to an emergency must be properly prepared for the interview.