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Non-Immigrant Visas

General Information for Business/Pleasure (B1/B2) Visa Applicant

If you are an Icelandic citizen, have an approved ESTA  and carry a Machine Readable Passport, you generally do not require a visa to travel to the U.S. for holiday and business trips of 90 days or less, unless you have a negative criminal, medical or immigration history.  For additional information go to Visa Waiver page.

However, if you do not have an approved ESTA and a Machine Readable Passport, please review these regulations. The "B1/B2" Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily, but more than 90 days, for business or pleasure.  Persons planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose such as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc., must apply for a different visa in the appropriate category.

Visitors on a B1/B2 visa are not permitted to study or accept employment during their stay in the U.S.

 

Qualifying for a Visa

Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.  The presumption in the law is that every visa applicant is an intending immigrant.  Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstration that:

  1. The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business or pleasure;
  2. That they plan to remain for a specific, limited period;
  3. That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding obligations which will insure their return abroad at the conclusion of the visit.

 Depending on individual circumstances, applicants may provide other evidence substantiating the purpose of the trip, and specifying the nature of binding obligations, such as family ties,  employment etc., which would compel their return abroad after a short stay.

NOTE: For planning purposes, you cannot book an appointment more than one month in advance.

ATTENTION: Each applicant between the ages of 14-79 must have their own appointment.

THE EMBASSY DOES NOT RECOMMEND MAKING FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS AND PURCHASING TICKETS PRIOR TO VISA APPROVAL!

IF YOU ARE NOT AN ICELANDIC CITIZEN

Applications from Third Country Nationals:

Third Country Nationals who neither work nor have permanent residence status in Iceland should be aware that it is very difficult to qualify for a nonimmigrant visa as it is difficult to demonstrate their permanent ties to their home countries. In such cases, applicants should consider submitting applications in their home countries or at a U.S. embassy or consulate with responsibility for processing applications from the applicant's home country.

Visa Reciprocity Fees

Applicants from certain countries that charge U.S. citizens special fees for visas may be required to pay an additional visa issuance/reciprocity fee. Please note that this issuance fee, unlike the processing fee, is not to be paid in advance. If you qualify for the visa, you will be asked to pay the visa reciprocity fee to the consular cashier after your interview. Applicants may consult the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Reciprocity Fee table for more information.