Frequently Asked Questions

Non-Immigrant Visa FAQ

The following information refers to Non-Immigrant (tourist, work, and student) Visas only 

How do I apply for a U.S. Visa?

You must first pay the US$131 application fee at any TT Post outlet.  This non-refundable fee must be paid per person, and per visa application.  After you have paid the visa application fee, click here for information on scheduling your appointment.

What documents do I need to bring in for my appointment?

You must bring your completed application form (DS-156), male applicant’s 16-45 must fill out the Supplemental Visa Application Form (DS-157), 2 passport size photos on a light or white background, and your 2 TT Post receipts.

You should bring documents that can help you demonstrate your ties to Trinidad and Tobago. A list of suggested documents can be found on our Tourist/Business Visa web page.

For persons who are self employed including the spouses and children of self employed persons; the following documents are required:

• Business registration;
• Last 6 (six) monthly financial statements;
• Tax returns;
• Most recent Income Tax Assessment from the Board of Inland Revenue;
• Any other financial documents relating to the business.

What is the current wait time for a visa appointment?

To check the current wait time for a non-immigrant visa appointment click here http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php.

I was refused a visa, what does “strong ties” mean?

Section 214B of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act states that all immigrants are intending immigrants to the Unites States until they prove otherwise.  The burden of proof falls to the applicant to prove they are not intending to immigrate to the United States.  Applicants must have a residence in their home country they do not intend to abandon.  Applicants for non-immigrant visas demonstrate this in a variety of ways, the most common being having strong economic, family, and social ties to their home country.  An example of strong ties would be a stable job, a home, significant family ties (spouse, children, grandchildren), and strong social ties.

Who may use the Drop Box?

The drop box is for the use of visa applicants over 80 years of age.  To use the drop box, you must submit your valid passport, completed application form, and 2 passport size photos on a white or light colored background and supporting documents to the U.S. Embassy’s Consular section during working hours.  You can also mail your application via TT Post, but you must include a track pack to return the passport.

For persons using the Drop Box who may be self employed; the following documents are required:

• Business registration;
• Last 6 (six) monthly financial statements;
• Tax returns;
• Most recent Income Tax Assessment from the Board of Inland Revenue;
• Any other financial documents relating to the business.

How do you apply for a student visa?

In order to apply for a student visa, you must first be accepted to a school in the U.S.  After you have received your approved I-20 from the school, you can apply in person any Monday-Thursday from 7:30-10:30 a.m. without an appointment.  You must fill the application form out online using the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) http://evisaforms.state.gov.  You must pay the 131 USD application fee at any TT Post outlet, and bring your TT Post receipt along with your completed application, 2 photos, valid I-20, and proof of your ability to pay for the first year of schooling.  All new applicants for a student visa must also pay the 100 USD SEVIS fee either online or at any Western Union location.  For information on the SEVIS fee please visit www.ice.gov/sevis.  All applicants for student visas must demonstrate they are bona fide student, and intend to return to their home country following the completion of their studies.

I am currently a student in the U.S. and want to transfer schools.  What do I need to do?

You should contact your international student advisor.  If you leave the U.S. you will need to apply for a new student visa.

Can I work in the U.S.?

You can go to the U.S. on a B-1 visa for business provided you do not receive any remuneration from a U.S. source.  The most common reasons for going to the U.S. for business are for trainings, meetings, and purchasing goods and materials.  If you want to work in the U.S., there are a variety of employment-based visas available.  These visas require an employer in the U.S. to sponsor you.  For more information about petition-based employment visas (H, L, P, O, and Q), please visit the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov.

Do I need a sponsor letter to get a visa?

No.  You do not need a letter of invitation or sponsor letter for a tourist visa.  All applicants must qualify on their own.

I was deported from the U.S.  Can I apply again for a visa?

Yes, you may apply again, but you must qualify and overcome the presumption of being an intending immigrant.

I need to transit through the U.S. to go to another country, what kind of visa do I need?

Applicants who wish to transit through the U.S. to another country may apply for a transit visa.  We accept transit visa applicants on any Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30-10:30 without an appointment.  You must pay the 131 USD application fee at any TT Post outlet, get 2 passport photos, and complete the application form online using the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF).  You do not have to make an appointment.  Please bring your flight and ticket information with you on the day of your appointment.

I have a friend/family member in the U.S. who is sick/died; do I still need an appointment?

In order to qualify for an emergency appointment you must make an appointment on line,  then fax or email your request for an emergency appointment to the consular section.  For emergency medical appointments, only immediate family members will qualify and you come in on any day during normal working hours.  You must bring a letter from the hospital or doctor in the U.S.  For a funeral, it must be immediate family members only, and you must bring a copy of the death certificate.  It is important to note, that regardless of the purpose of your visit to the U.S. all applicants must qualify for a U.S. visa.

My passport was lost/stolen, what do I need to do?

If your passport was lost or stolen you will need to make a police report.  If you had a valid U.S. visa in your lost/stolen passport, you will need to go through the application procedure again.  Please bring in a copy of the lost/stolen passport form from the Police Department when you apply for a visa.

I am not from Trinidad; can I still apply for a visa here?

Applicants for U.S. visas should apply in their country of residence.  Third country nationals may apply for a U.S. visa at the U.S. Embassy Port of Spain, but they must demonstrate strong ties to Trinidad and Tobago.  We discourage applicants who come to Trinidad with the express purpose of applying for a U.S. visa (visa shopping).

I was refused a visa, and I think the officer was wrong.  What can I do?

Please note that as of May 19, 2008 there is no longer a formal appeal system for NIV refusals.

If you believe the officer’s decision was incorrect and that you can demonstrate strong ties to Trinidad and Tobago, you must reapply through the normal procedures in order to be reassessed for a visa. We strongly advise that you reapply ONLY if you can show additional strong ties and genuinely believe that you qualify.

I have some information I would like to report to the Visa Investigator, what should I do?

If you would like to report anything to the Visa Investigator, you can email us directly at consularpos@state.gov, or send us the relevant information via mail.

What if I have a valid visa and my passport is destroyed, lost, or stolen?

If you have a valid visa, and it gets lost/damaged in anyway, the visa is no longer valid.  You must go through the entire application process again.

Why don’t I get my money back if I am refused a visa?

Non-immigrant visas issued abroad require a machine-readable fee (MRV fee) that covers the U.S. costs associated with manufacturing, processing, and printing the visa. The 131 USD fee is the application fee. The fee is not refundable and non-transferable. This fee is the same for every U.S. non-immigrant visa application in every country in the world.

What supporting documents should I bring to my visa interview?

While it is not required that you bring any documents to your interview for a tourist visa, we recommend you bring any documentation you believe strengthens your case.  Typically, applicants will bring the following documents: expired passports with prior visas, job letter with current monthly salary, and length of employment, bank statement with an average 6 month balance, business registration  (if self-employed), tax returns, land deed.  For business visas, applicants should bring all information about the business to be conducted in the U.S.  including: job letter from employer explaining the business to be conducted in the U.S., travel itinerary, ticket and hotel reservations, and training/convention information.

Where can I get more information about visas?

For more information about U.S. visas please visit our website at http://trinidad.usembassy.gov, http://travel.state.gov, email us at consularpos@state.gov, or call 976-USA1. 

We would like to warn applicants against paying money to anyone who claims to work for the U.S. Embassy or any “Visa Consultant” who promises to get you either a green card or a U.S. Visa.  There have been reports of Trinidadians paying money to individuals who promised them a visa, saying they represented or worked at the U.S. Embassy, or could obtain a visa. These individuals are criminals, and this is a scam.