CONSULAR SERVICES

The Visa Application Process in 10 Steps

Step 1. Gather Information: Go online to http://oman.usembassy.state.gov or http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1286.html for information regarding the category of visa that may be appropriate for you. 

Step 2. Check the validity of your passport. A visa applicant must submit a valid passport with their application.  The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the applicant’s intended stay in the United States and must have at least two blank pages available on which to place a visa.
A valid passport must contain:

• The complete name of the passport holder and each included person.
• The place of birth of the passport holder and each included person.
• The date of birth of the passport holder and each included person.
• The transliteration of this information must agree with the information as presented in the native language.
• Go online to http://oman.usembassy.state.gov or http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1286.html for information regarding the category of visa that may be appropriate for you
  
  Step 3. Complete Application Forms:
  a. Form DS-156 (Non-Immigrant Visa Application): Each applicant must submit a fully completed and signed Electronic Visa Application form. The form should be completed online, printed out, signed and then brought into the Embassy at the time of application.  The electronic version is available at: https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asplang=1.
  
  Note: Hand-written DS-156 applications will no longer be accepted as of January 1, 2006. Handwritten applications cannot be scanned into our system. That is why filling out the application online saves time for both applicants and U.S. consular officers.  Online applications ensure that applicants are processed faster, and have less waiting time.
  
  Applicants should be aware that information entered into the online application is not directly transmitted to the Embassy.  Only when the printed application is brought to the US Embassy will the applicant information be entered into the system, thus any corrections the applicant wishes to make can be done at the Embassy on the day of the visa interview.
  
  Form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application): Submission of this completed form is required for all male applicants between 16-45 years of age, and all applicants, male and female, age 16 and over who are from Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. This form is found at: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.
  c. Form DS-158 (Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant): Students (F visas), exchange visitors (J visas), and vocational students or other non-academic students (M visas) should complete and present this form along with Form DS-156.  Form DS-158 is available online at: http://www.travel.state.gov or http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html
  
  Step 4. Obtain Proper Photographs: We remind applicants to pay close attention to photograph requirements as listed on the website. Often applicants are turned away because they have the wrong type of photograph. A 5cm X 5cm recent, high quality, clear, color photograph for each applicant showing full face forward against a white background (no photographs with dark glasses or head-coverings other than religious wear which shows face, ears, and hairline).
  
  Step 5. Gather Necessary documents and information: Our website lists documents which are required for the application process.  However, in many cases other supporting documents may be required.  Applicants should make sure to bring in any and all supporting documents/information, which may be relevant to their application (e.g. old passports, employment letters, bank statements, statement of salary, employment contract, etc.). Applicants will also need to know the exact address and phone number of the place where they will be staying, even if it is a hotel.  Please remember: the above list, as well as the one on the website, is exhaustive.  Depending on the situation of the applicants, additional documents may be required.  Applicants should use their best judgment in determining what documents or information will be necessary to support their application, as well as referring to the website for the documentation required for their particular visa category.
  
  Step 6. Appear for a Personal Interview at the Embassy: The Consular Section accepts visa applications from 8:00-9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  No appointment is necessary.  Please remember that applicants who arrive after 9:30 a.m. will not be processed.  The Consular Section is closed on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and any Omani or American holiday.
  
  Step 7. Fees: Present your documents at the Cashier window (Window 1). After documents are accepted and screened for completeness, you will need to pay the nonrefundable processing fee of $100 or 40 Omani Riyals.  This fee may be paid in Omani Riyals  or U.S. dollars in cash only; we cannot accept checks or credit cards.  There may also be an  issuance fee for some nationalities whose governments also charge visa fees to American citizens. To find out whether an additional fee applies to your country for a specific visa category, please go to: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm

Step 8. Wait: Wait for interview.  Please be patient! We would like to stress that the consular staff at the U.S. Embassy tries to minimize waiting time for visa applicants.  One way to help us minimize this wait further is to fill out your visa applications online.

Step 9. Finger Scan: At the start of the interview you will be asked to do a finger scan. The finger scanning process is an important part of the interview process.  Finger scanning is a very effective method of protecting our borders, making it safer for you to travel, and making the United States a safe place for your holiday.

Step 10. Adjudication by Officer:

a. Issuance: If your visa is approved, in most cases it will be available for pick up between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. after two consular workdays. Please note that the consular section is closed on Sunday, Thursday and Friday.

Applicants may designate someone to pick up their passport if they do not wish to return themselves.  Please remember, if someone other than the applicant returns to pick up the passport they must present the claim ticket in order to receive the passport.

• Validity: The validity of your visa is simply the period that it may be used to apply for admission to the United States.  The validity of the visa is NOT the amount of time you may remain in the United States. The time allowed in the U.S. will be determined by immigration officials upon presentation of your visa at the port of entry.  During its validity period, the U.S. visa remains usable even if the passport in which it is contained expires.  To use the U.S. visa, applicants must simply travel with both the expired passport (containing the valid visa) and the new passport.  Holders of Multiple Entry U.S. visas may enter the U.S. as many times as they like during the validity of the visa.  Those with Single Entry visas may only enter once.

b. Additional Administrative Processing: Some applicants who are otherwise qualified will not receive their visa the next day because of additional administrative processing requirements.  This is not a permanent refusal of the applicant.  When this process is complete the case number will be posted on the following webpage: http://muscat.usembassy.gov/oman/check_visa.html.  In general, administrative processing time takes from 4-6 weeks.

c. Refusal: Of course, not all applicants who apply for a visa are eligible to receive one.  All refused applicants are given a letter explaining the reasons for the refusal.  Refused visa applicants may reapply for a new visa at a later date.  For more information on visa eligibility, refer to our website.  Unfortunately, we cannot refund fees paid by any applicant who has been refused a visa, and those who reapply for a visa after being refused must pay again all applicable fees.