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Non-immigrant Visas

No electronic devices, backpacks and suitcases allowed in the Consular
Section in Bern

In order to ensure everyone's safety and to ensure
that security screening does not delay admission to the Consulate, no electronic
devices (including phones) may be brought into the Embassy or Consulate.
Backpacks, handbags and suitcases are not permitted. Security personnel
will not store items for applicants. We therefore suggest that all such items be
left at home, in a locked car, at a locker at the train station, or with a
friend or relative who remains outside the premises.

We encourage
visitors to bring only necessary documents with them.
Thank you

All visa applicants, except for those going on official or diplomatic
travel, must be physically present at the Embassy to apply.

Please call our visa information center at 0900-87-8472 (Monday to
Friday from 8:30 to 17:30; SFR 2.50/min), to make an appointment (no e-mails or
faxes are accepted).  Every member of the family/party must have an
appointment.  This number can only be called within Switzerland. You will
need your barcode confirmation number to make an appointment.

Those who are physically outside of Switzerland can also access the
Visa Information Service for Switzerland at +49-913-17722096. Each call costs a
flat service rate of EURO 15.00 PLUS the international phone rate that your
telephone provider normally charges. This service rate must be charged to either
a Visa or MasterCard credit card. The service is available to the public from
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except U.S. and Swiss holidays.
Your passport number will be required to schedule an appointment.

Citizens and permanent residents of Liechtenstein (with a B or C permit) do
not need to make an appointment. Simply arrive at the embassy Monday
through Friday between 9:00 and 11:00 (except on Swiss and American
holidays).

Every visa applicant must pay an application fee (MRV) per visa in advance to the
following account - 30-39699-5.

Either use a pink payment form (Einzahlungsschein
Giro/Versement Virement/Versamento Girata) available at any post office.

OR, as an alternative, the U.S. Embassy Bern will accept
payments of the application fee through e-banking on the following
conditions:

The MRV fee must be paid in Swiss Francs

The payment must be made at least 24 hours before the interview
date

The applicant must present a bank account statement proving that
the amount has been debited

Please note that deposits into this postal account are not refundable for
any reason and NO cash will be accepted. The amount of this fee may
change without prior notice.

Please Read the Following Carefully:

All applicants for nonimmigrant visas must overcome the presumption in U.S.
law that they are intending immigrants. To qualify for a nonimmigrant visa, you
must demonstrate that you plan to remain in the United States for only a limited
time, have sufficient funds for your stay, have a residence outside the USA, as
well as other binding obligations, which will cause you to depart at the end of
your stay in the United States. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S.
consulate, it is more difficult to qualify for a visa outside your country of
permanent residence.

To apply for a nonimmigrant visa, complete and submit the
following documents:

Every Applicant:

Your original passport, containing at least two blank pages, and
any expired passports with previous U.S. visas. Since it is a requirement for
some countries, we recommend that the passport be valid for at least six
months from the date of departure from the United States.

One recent photo 5 cm X 5 cm (in color only) for each
applicant, including children and infants. Photo  Only Photos in the size 5 cm X 5 cm will be
accepted.

If you are not a Swiss citizen, your Swiss residency permit, border
crossing card for Switzerland, or Carte de légitimation.

One completed application form DS-160 for each person traveling, including one form per
infant and/or child. Please print out the confirmation page and bring it along
to the interview.

The original postal receipt for the MRV application fee or a bank account
statement proving that the amount has been debited.

Self-addressed stamped envelope B5 (postage for express
or registered mail). The embassy is not liable for lost passports. If there is
insufficient postage the passports will be sent back according to the amount
on the envelope (B-post instead of A-post and A-post instead of
registered) and if insufficient to mail at all in any class, you will be
called to come pick it up. Please find all details about postage in the
official site of the Swiss Post.

Required Documents for Non-Immigrant Visa Categories

Tourism/Business (B1/B2-Visa):

There is no required documentation for visitors for tourism and business
purposes. However, the Embassy recommends that the following be brought, as they
may prevent any delays in the processing of your case:

Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay (usually bank statements for
the most recent 3 months).

If traveling as a tourist, a letter from your employer/school stating
length of time you have worked/studied there, showing you are on vacation and
that you will return. A detailed statement of your plans during the trip and
after your return from the U.S., including a future work contract, if
possible.

If traveling for business, a letter from your employer explaining the
purpose and length of your stay in the US and who will pay your
salary/expenses.

Students (F/M-Visa):

Original I-20 form received from the school in the USA. Please sign
the form and include proof of funds to finance schooling and living expenses
(bank statement, tuition receipt).

An electronic Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
confirmation for the principal applicant as well as all dependents, from the
school or exchange program institution. Primary applicants must pay the I-901
SEVIS fee.

The United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that
holders of F or M nonimmigrant visas will not be admitted to the United States
until a date thirty days or less prior to the beginning of the program
date, or start date, as given on your Form I-20 (for F/M-visa). Moreover,
holders of F or M nonimmigrant visas may not stay in the U.S. any longer than
60 days (M-visas 30 days) after the end of the program date. Please
consider these dates carefully when making your travel plans to and from the
United States.

Exchange Visitors (J-Visa):

Original DS-2019 received from the institution in the USA. Please
sign on the bottom of page 1.

A written statement of your plans after your return from the US, including
a future work contract, if possible.

If the institution requires applicants to fund their program, include
proof of funds, i.e. most recent 3 months of bank statements or tuition
receipt.

An electronic Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
confirmation for the principal applicant as well as all dependents, from the
school or exchange program institution. Primary applicants must pay the
I-901 SEVIS fee.

The United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that
holders of J nonimmigrant visas will not be admitted to the United States
until a date thirty days or less prior to the beginning of the program
date, or start date, as given on your Form DS-2019 (for J-visa). Moreover,
holders of J nonimmigrant visas may not stay in the U.S. any longer than
30 days after the end of the program date. Please consider these dates
carefully when making your travel plans to and from the United States.

Journalists/Media (I-Visa):

Letter from your employer stating the nature of the work you will perform
in the US, the duration of your stay and the source of income while you are in
the US.

A copy of your press card.

Work Visas:

Your prospective employer in the USA must apply for your work
authorization at the nearest Department of Homeland Security (DHS) office
in the USA. You are not required (although you are welcome) to bring a copy of
your approval notice (Form # I-797) to the interview. Copies are acceptable.

Holders of L1 Blanket Petitions should be prepared to pay
the Anti Fraud fee of USD 500 at the Embassy, either in cash
or by credit card. If you want to pay by credit card you have to bring a
photocopy of your passport.  Only L1 Blanket Petition holders need to pay
this fee.

Treaty Trader/Investor Visa:

In order for us to begin processing your application you must submit the
completed forms DS-156E and DS-160; all forms can be found on our website. Please find
instructions and requirements on the 4th page of the DS-156E. Turn around time
for an E-visa application procedure is approx. two months, from the moment you
send your file to the moment your interview is scheduled, so please take this
into consideration when you send your application package. Read the
instructions very carefully. Incomplete or undocumented applications cannot be
processed.

Each E-Visa applicant must pay the application fee. This must be paid at any
Swiss post office or via e-banking into our postal account: #30-39699-5. The
original pink receipt of this payment or a bank account statement should
accompany the application or can be hand-delivered at the time of the
interview. (the amount of this fee may be changed without prior notice). You
must submit the completed application forms and the supporting documents for
both parts (Business Profile and Applicant part) of the DS-156E in English to
the Visa Section.

The complete file may be sent from outside of Switzerland by international
courier. We will contact you if additional documentation is needed and/or to
make an appointment when review of the file is completed. Please submit the
missing information by mail before the scheduled appointment. You will need to
bring your original passport to the interview on the date agreed. Primary
applicants do not need to make an appointment through 0900 87 84 72.
Dependants of E visa applicants can send their application along with the
primary applicant’s and be interviewed at the same time. However if dependants
wish to follow the primary applicant later, they can make an appointment with
the call center.

The above procedure also applies if you are renewing and existing E visa
or if you have an approved I-797 petition.

If you wish to apply for an E visa for an employee in a supervisory or
executive position or an employee with highly specialized skills please be
sure to include the following additional documents: their employment contract,
CV/resume, diplomas/certificates, US Tax Income Return of employing company,
letter of support and organization chart with their position on it.

You may contact us for further assistance and information at fax
no.031-357-73-98 or by e-mail: [email-masked]. Please indicate in
subject line that it is an E visa inquiry. Please find more useful information
on: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1273.html

Last Minute Checks

1)   Even if you
uploaded successfully on DS-160, please bring one photograph
5 X 5 cm, in color, and with a full white background,
full face; http://bern.usembassy.gov/photo_requirements.html

Please note that this requirement is very strict and any other photo size
will not be accepted and may prolong the application process extensively or lead
to postponing the appointment.

2)   The
application form DS 160 confirmation
page.

3)   Please staple
the pink postal payment receipt at the bottom left corner of
form DS-160 confirmation page.

4)   As the form DS-160 is completed
online and generates a barcode on the
confirmation page (which is needed to scan in the information), it is crucial
for this barcode to be printed clearly! (no
fragmented barcodes are accepted and will lead to postponing an appointment!)

5)  Every applicant should
bring their individual stamped and addressed return
envelope B5 (Sfr. 5.00 suggested for registered mail).
If applicants prefer to pick up the passport(s), this would
need to be stated clearly in the beginning of
the data intake process!

6)  Supporting documents for
individual visa type.

After security check, everyone will need to stand in
line in front of the ‘greeter desk' and have their
documents individually checked and then approach one of the three data intake
windows (windows 6, 7, and 8). The application forms will be
entered at these data intake windows and they will be asked to place four
fingers of the left hand, the four fingers of the right hand and, finally, the
two thumbs together straight on the fingerprint device. Thereafter they need to
have a seat in the waiting area to be called by the consular officer for the
final interview.

No electronic devices, backpacks and suitcases allowed in the
Consular Section in Bern
In order to ensure everyone's safety and to
ensure that security screening does not delay admission to the Consulate, no
electronic devices (including phones) may be brought into the Embassy or
Consulate. Backpacks, handbags and suitcases are not permitted.
Security personnel will not store items for applicants. We therefore suggest
that all such items be left at home, in a locked car, at a locker at the train
station, or with a friend or relative who remains outside the premises.
We
encourage visitors to bring only necessary documents with
them.
Thank you

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