Embassy of the United States

How do I apply for A visa?

Exchange Visitor (J) Visas

Before making an appointment, make sure you have all the necessary documents.  If you show up for an appointment without the required documents, it will not be possible to process your visa until we have them.    

Make an Appointment     

To apply for a visa, each applicant needs to schedule an appointment for an interview in advance.  See the How do I Make an Appointment? section for more information. 

All nonimmigrant visa applicants must pay the nonrefundable visa application fee of $131 or SAR498.  This fee must be paid BEFORE you come to the Consulate for your interview.  See the How Do I Pay the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee? section for more information. 

Pay the SEVIS fee 

Exchange visitors not part of a U.S. Government-sponsored program will also have to pay a SEVIS fee for each program.  The SEVIS fee of $100 must be paid to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the U.S. prior to your visa application.  Click here for information about how to pay the SEVIS fee.   

• PASSPORT:  Current and previous passports issued in the past ten years.  The current passport must be valid for six months after the date of travel.  Students should have a passport valid for at least one year from the start of the program.  
• DS-2019 (provided to you by your program sponsor):  All exchange visitors, including their spouses and dependents must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  Your program sponsor is responsible for entering your information for the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status into SEVIS.   
• COMPLETED DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan:  All exchange visitor trainee or intern visa applicants with DS-2019 forms dated on or after July 19, 2007 (based on Box 7 on form) must also present Form DS-7002 when applying for a visa. 
• COMPLETED NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION, FORM DS-156:  Please complete the on-line version of this form, print it out, and bring all three pages to your interview.  Applications for children below the age of 14 and adults over the age of 79 can be submitted by a family member.  Download the DS-156 in English. 
• COMPLETED SUPPLEMENTAL NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION, FORM DS-157:  This form must be completed by all male applicants ages 16 to 45 and all applicants born in, or citizens of, Sudan, Iran, Syria, Libya, or North Korea.  Download the DS-157 in English. 
• COMPLETED CONTACT INFORMATION AND WORK HISTORY, FORM DS-158:  This form must be completed by the exchange visitor visa applicant (family members applying for J-2 visas do not have to complete this form.)  The form must include information about all the applicant’s brothers, sisters, parents, and children.  Download the DS-158 in English. 
• SEVIS FEE RECEIPT (if applicable):  Exchange visitor visa applicants need to pay the SEVIS Fee before applying for visas. You can come for your interview without a SEVIS receipt but the receipt is needed for visa insurance.  
• SAMBA BANK RECEIPT:  Bring your Samba Bank receipt as proof of payment of the nonimmigrant visa application fee. 
• PHOTOGRAPH:  A 5cm x 5cm photograph with a white background, taken within the last six months. The head (from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 25 and 35mm with the head centered in the frame facing straight ahead.  

1. Men should not wear any form of head covering, including headscarves or hats.
2. Women must have the hairline and jawline clearly visible and it is preferable that the ears be exposed.
3. Veiled women will be required to unveil at the interview for identification purposes.
4. Please staple the photograph to the DS 156. 

• COURT AND/OR POLICE RECORDS:  Applicants with an arrest or criminal records must provide a copy of their court and/or arrest record (including cases that ended with an acquittal or pardon) and an English translation of those documents.  In the event that there was no trial please bring a letter in English that explains, in detail, the circumstances surrounding the arrest.  NOTE:  Those who do not have arrest or criminal records do not need to provide any such documents, unless requested by the Consular officer. 
• PROOF OF STRONG TIES TO SAUDI ARABIA:  Such ties may include business, employment, family, property or other connections, which satisfy a consular officer that the applicant will leave the United States voluntarily after a temporary visit.  For example, you may bring a letter from your current employer, on letterhead, with your position/job title, length of employment, and monthly salary and your three most recent months’ bank statements. 

Once you have an appointment, you must come to the Consulate at the assigned date and time where you will be interviewed by an American official holding a consular commission.  All applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 must submit their applications in person on the day of the interview.  Please ensure your application is complete and signed; your day will pass more easily if it is.  If the application is prepared by someone else, they must also sign and date the form.  Make sure you have all the documents required.  If you show up for an appointment without the required documents, it will not be possible to approve your visa until we have them. 

Pay the Visa Issuance Fee if Applicable  

If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance fee.  Fees are based on reciprocity and reflect the charges levied by the applicant's government to a U.S. citizen for a similar service.  Please consult the Reciprocity Tables to find out if you must pay a fee and the fee amount.  Issuance fees are paid to the Consular cashier and must be paid in cash - SAR or dollar equivalent.