What types of non-immigrant visas are available?
Various types of non-immigrant visas are available for temporary travel to the United States. The type of visa you need depends on your purpose of travel. For information on all types of visas, please visit Travel.State.Gov.
What types of non-immigrant visas can I apply for in Pristina?
Please visit our website to find out if you are eligible to apply in Pristina.
How do I pay the MRV fee?
All visa applicants eligible to be processed at the U.S. Embassy Pristina must pay in cash (Dollars or euro, but not a combination of currencies) at the Consular Section on the date of interview. Do not pay at Raiffeisen bank. Any payments made to Raiffeisen bank will only be accepted at the U.S. Embassy in Skopje. MRV fees are not refundable.
Is it true that another company, website or individual can get a U.S. visa appointment faster than through the Embassy’s appointment system?
No. All companies and individuals must use the embassy’s appointment to schedule an appointment. No individual or company is given higher preferences. Any claims made by third parties stating that they can guarantee faster access to U.S. Department of State visa services are fraudulent.
Is it true that another company, website or individual can guarantee the issuance of a U.S. visa?
No. Any and all such claims are fraudulent.
How do I know if I qualify for the Pristina Reissue Program?
To qualify for the Reissue Program, you must have a valid U.S. visa or U.S. visa which expired fewer than 48 months ago and be applying for same category of visa. If you meet these requirements, follow the instructions here. A Consular Officer reserves the right to request that any applicant appear in person.
Applicants with Summer Work and Travel or applicants who need to change their visa category (student to tourist, for example) are not eligible for the Reissue Program. Please review the website for complete information about which applicants are eligible to apply in Pristina and which must apply in Skopje.
The Reissue Program is not the same as the visa waiver program. Citizens of Kosovo are not eligible for the visa waiver program.
Who decides if I will get a visa?
Under U.S. law, the Department of State has responsibility for issuing visas, and most visas are issued at one of the Department of State Embassies or Consulates abroad. A U.S. Consular Officer will review your application at the time of the interview and decide whether you are qualified for a visa. Remember, a visa doesn’t permit entry to the United States. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a Consular Officer at U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and the officer has determined that you are eligible to travel to the port-of-entry for a specific purpose.
What is “administrative processing”?
Some visa applications require additional processing, which takes place after the visa applicant’s interview by a Consular Officer. Applicants are advised of this further requirement at the time of the interview and/or the submission of application documents. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview.
Why do I need a blank page in my passport?
U.S. non-immigrant visas take up an entire passport page. Therefore, your passport must contain at least 1-2 blank pages for the visa and associated entry stamps.
My passport has expired but my U.S. visa is still valid. What do I need to do?
Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, if the traveler has a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport, the traveler may present it, along with a new valid passport, at the Port of Entry to the United States. Both passports must indicate the same nationality, and the bearer’s name must be identical in both passports. Please note: A valid visa is not guarantee of entry into the United States. Final determination of entry is at the sole discretion of the Customs and Border Patrol Officer reviewing the documentation.