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You are in: Home » Visas to the U.S. » Non-immigrant visas
» How to apply

Non-Immigrant Visas

Do I Need a Visa?

Learn
more about the non-immigrant visa process

The information on this site applies to visa applications submitted at U.S.
Consulates in Australia. If you have previously had a U.S. visa, please read the
instructions to establish if you are eligible to renew
your visa by mail. If you do not meet the requirements for applying by
mail,you must apply in person at the U.S. Consulate in your region. Please
follow the steps on this page to complete an application and schedule an
appointment.

How Do I Apply?

Before beginning, please
determine which type of visa you need or whether you may
be able to travel without a visa.

Please read the six steps below carefully before beginning your visa
application.

Step
1: Prepare an appropriate Photo

Step
2: Complete the online DS-160 application form and print the confirmation
page

Step
3: Book an appointment online

Step
4: Pay the application fee

Step
5: Gather additional required documents

Step
6: Personally appear at the U.S. Consulate with: DS-160 Confirmation Page,
Appointment Confirmation, Original Australia Post receipt, Pre-Paid
Self-addressed Envelope, and other required documents

Step 1: To complete your online visa application,
you need a digital photo. Please read carefully the requirements to
upload your photo and the photo specifications before you begin completing
your application. You must upload a photo in order to submit your application.
If the photo you upload is not accepted as suitable, or is not a photo of
yourself, you will be given the option to continue without a photo. In this
instance only, where you have successfully submitted the application, you may
bring a photo meeting the above requirements to your interview. Please see our
list
of photographers in Australia capable of making U.S. style passport/visa
photographs.

Step 2: ALL visa applicants are required to fill in
the online application form (DS-160). Once
completed, the information in the DS-160 will be electronically transmitted. The
applicant must then print the confirmation page that includes some biographical
information and a bar code confirmation number. Applicants must bring the DS-160
Confirmation Page to their interview.

NOTE - As you complete the visa application, save a copy on your hard
drive and ‘save’ often. Fill out all required information completely and
correctly, including selecting the appropriate visa
type. Significant errors or information marked as “N/A”, “Nil”, etc. may
result in your application being rejected at the time of your interview. This
would require you to complete the entire application again and to reschedule
your interview.

Frequently
asked questions for the Online DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic
Application

Step 3: Make an appointment for a non-immigrant
visa interview at the Consulate you selected at the start of the DS-160 online
visa application. You are advised to apply at the Consulate in your region. To
schedule an appointment to apply for a non-immigrant U.S. visa in Australia, use
the VisaPoint
service. Read more information regarding appointments
and points of contact.

Step 4: Pay the non-refundable
application fee of
US$131 (see our fees page
for fees in Australian dollars). This fee can only be paid at an Australia Post
outlet. Please advise the counter assistant that you would like to pay the U.S.
non-immigration visa application fee. Bring the original receipt for this
payment to your interview. Only the original receipt may be submitted to the
Consulate. The fee receipt will be retained by the Consulate, so if you require
a personal copy, please request a duplicate copy from Australian Post. The fee
receipt is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Applicants must
bring the original Australia Post application fee receipt to their
interview.

Step 5: Gather the documents you must bring with
you on the day of your interview. Use the checklist below to ensure you have met
all of the requirements:

Non-immigrant Visa Checklist

DS-160 application confirmation page

Original application fee receipt from Australia Post

Current valid passport

Appointment confirmation page from VisaPoint

A self-addressed Express Post Platinum envelope, Registered Post envelope
or courier satchel

Other required documents
– these vary based on your visa category and individual circumstances

Step 6: Submit the above documents in person> on
your designated appointment date. Please read our instructions for entering
the Consulate General, and our pre-appointment
guide for further information.

If approved, applicants receive their passport and visa by mail. This usually
takes 3-4 business days, but can take longer, depending on individual
circumstances. Arrival after mailing is dependent on the Australian postal
system. As it is registered mail, an adult will have to be home to sign for
receipt of the package.

The Consulate General cannot be held responsible for extra costs due to
changing tickets or rebooking flights if delivery is delayed. We therefore
strongly urge you not to purchase tickets until you have received your visa and
passport in the mail. When you have received your visa it is important to check
it. See our page on how to check
your visa.

Please take some time to read our frequently
asked questions page.

ESTA Requirements
Now in Effect

Visit www.cbp.gov/esta

Press
Release

Advisory
Statement

FAQ

Do you need a visa?

It may well be that you do not need a visa to visit the United States. A good
way to find out is to check our Visa Wizard, an easy program based on a few
questions about your situation and travel plans.

Start the
Visa Wizard now!

Have you checked our visa re-issue wizard?

You may now be eligible to apply for a new U.S. visa without having an
interview with a U.S. consular officer. Use our visa re-issue wizard to find
out.

Start
the Visa Re-issue Wizard now!

FAQs

Immigrant
Visas

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Visas

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process and VisaPoint

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Student
Work & Travel

Student Work & Travel Program

Visa for Australian post-secondary students and recent graduates to work and
travel in the U.S.

Last update: Friday, 18 December 2009
GMT+1100

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