Non-Immigrant Visas

Due to the large volume of applicants and the processing time for applicants’ paperwork, applicants should expect to spend between two to three hours at the Consular Section.

Adjudication of Visa Applications

Almost all visa applications are adjudicated at the time of the applicants’ appearance at the Consular Section, but some cases require additional processing that may delay completion.  Issued visas are generally printed and returned to the applicant the next business day at 4 PM. 

Visas do not guarantee entry into the United States.  Responsibility for authorizing entry lies with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers at U.S. ports of entry, not with interviewing Consular Officers.

What to bring with you

Forms

All applicants are required to bring the Electronic Visa Application Form, commonly known as the EVAF or DS-156, with them to the interview.  The form can be accessed directly from the Embassy website by clicking here or at http://evisaforms.state.gov.  The EVAF must be printed out on a laser jet printer rather than a color ink jet printer.  Applicants also need to ensure that the bar code on the last page is legible.  If you do not bring the EVAF filled out electronically, we will not be able to process the application.  Applicants also need to bring the original receipt with them.

Further, all male visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 are required to fill out DS-157.  DS-157 can be accessed from the same websites listed above. 

Picture

All applicants must submit two pictures.  Pictures should be 5 by 5 cm.  If you go to local photo shops in Ulaanbaatar tell them that you need a picture for a U.S. visa.  We have found that most photo shops produce the correct sized photograph.

Passport

All applicants must submit a valid passport.  To enter the United States, the passport must be valid for six months beyond the intended period of stay in the United States.  If the passport is valid for less than six months, your application cannot be processed and you will be asked to return after you have received a new passport or have extended your old passport with the appropriate Mongolian authorities.

Supporting Documentation

General Information

Under U.S. immigration law, applicants for tourist and business nonimmigrant visas are presumed to be intending immigrants.  To qualify for a nonimmigrant visa, applicants must clearly demonstrate their intent to depart the United States by proving that they have strong ties to their home country and a residence that they will return to at the conclusion of their trip to the United States.  Evidence of a job or professional ties, property holdings, family ties and responsibilities, and bank accounts will all be evaluated in the course of the interview.

There are no requirements for an applicant to submit documentation with their nonimmigrant visa application.  However, applicants must demonstrate that they are eligible for a visitor or business visa.  Evidence that shows the purpose of the trip, the intent to depart the United States, and arrangements made to cover the costs of a trip, may be provided.  Due to the number of fraudulent bank letters, the Embassy has determined that bank letters are not sufficient proof of financial ability to cover the costs of a trip.  Original bank books or bank statements provide stronger evidence of proof of an applicant’s financial situation.

Due to the unique nature of each individual’s trip to the United States, it is impossible to specify the exact evidence that an applicant must submit.  Applicants should carefully consider what they believe will support their application for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States.

Business Visitors

Individuals applying for a business visas should be prepared to provide details about the nature of the business trip.  For those persons visiting business contacts or clients, please bring correspondence that explains the purpose of the trip and the nature of the business relationship.

Invitation Letters

There are no requirements for a visa invitation letter.  If a person in the U.S. chooses to send a letter for submission during a visa interview, it is helpful to include information regarding the applicant’s relationship with the person that they will visit, any financial support that will be provided to the applicant, and if the person is family, please indicate whether that person is a U.S. citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, or just a temporary visitor or student in the United States.

Visa Refusals

If an applicant’s visa is refused, the applicant will be handed a letter that explains the basis of the refusal.  Most applicants are refused under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.  This section of the law states that an applicant has not overcome the presumption that they are an intending immigrant.  Applicants refused under 214(b) are welcome to reapply for a visa should their circumstances change, or if they believe that they can present additional evidence to demonstrate their eligibility for the visa.  Applicants can reapply when they believe they have the evidence to demonstrate their eligibility for a visa.  There is no waiting period after an applicant is denied.  However, applicants should carefully consider whether their new evidence demonstrates their eligibility for a visa, particularly if the applicant is applying a short time after they were previously refused.

Those persons reapplying will need to submit a new visa application, with any necessary supporting documents, and pay the visa application processing fee.  Their applications will be given every possible consideration consistent with U.S. immigration law and the applicant will be interviewed by a different consular officer.

Questions

If you have general questions, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website by clicking here

The best way to contact the Consular Section if you have questions is via e-mail at cons@usembassy.mn. An applicant may also call the Consular Section 3-4 PM everyday except Tuesdays at 976-11-329-095.  Please do not send unsolicited documents via facsimile or post.  The Consular Section assumes no responsibility for such documents.

Fraud Warning

There are many businesses that make claims that they can help an applicant get a U.S. visa.  The U.S. Embassy has not authorized any of these companies to provide assistance to applicants and in many cases, these companies will charge substantial fees and may be involved with fraudulent activities. 

The submission of fraudulent documents can carry serious penalties for a visa applicant.  Applicants should consider carefully whether or not to use a commercial company to assist in the application process.  Applicants are responsible for all submitted materials and will be held responsible if documents are found to be fraudulent.

Applicants found guilty of attempting to obtain nonimmigrant visas through fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact may be permanently refused visas and denied entry into the United States.