General Visa FAQs

After I have my visa, I will be able to enter the U.S., correct?

A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry, and the Department of Homeland Security U.S. immigration inspector authorizes or denies admission to the U.S.

My visa expires in 10 years, what does this mean?

A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the U.S., but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States. Persons holding visas valid for multiple entries may make repeated trips to the U.S., for travel for the same purpose, as long as the visa has not expired, and the traveler has done nothing to become ineligible to enter the U.S., at port of entry.

How can I find out how long I am authorized to stay in the U.S?

At the port of entry, upon entering the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security, US immigration inspector, provides you a small white card, Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record in your passport. Visa Waiver Program travelers receive Form 1-94W. On this form, the U.S. immigration inspector records either a date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. Your Form I-94, or I-94W is a very important document to keep in your passport, since it shows your permission to be in the U.S.

I am planning to travel after several months from now. When should I apply for my U.S. visa?

We recommend that you apply for your visa in a timely fashion, i.e. two or three months in advance, but not later than 2-3 weeks before your planned trip. This will allow for plenty of time to resolve any issues and deal with potential delays. Please do not make any final travel arrangements, such as paying for your airline tickets or hotel before your U.S. visa has been issued.

I have heard that it is very difficult to obtain a U.S. visa. Is this true?

No, it is not. Most applicants qualify for their U.S. visas. According to the provisions of the law, the Consular Officer has to be convinced that the applicant’s situation here will not qualify him/her as a potential immigrant. Therefore, it may be likely that unemployed applicants or people who are currently in between jobs do not qualify. However, it must be noted that every case is considered on an individual basis and there is no single standard for visa applicants.

Latvia is now an EU member state. Does this mean that I can travel to the U.S. without a visa?

No, you still do need a visa to travel to the U.S. In order to allow Latvian citizens to travel to the U.S. without a visa, Latvia has to become a part of the Visa Waiver Program. Since each country’s qualifications are reviewed on an individual basis, not on a group, Latvia’s EU membership does not qualify it for the Visa Waiver Program. Latvia has to comply with several requirements in order to accomplish this.

I have an old type Latvian passport issued before June 30, 2002. Is it good for traveling?

Latvian citizen passports issued before June 30, 2002 will not be valid for international travel after July 1, 2008. Therefore, Embassy Riga encourages visa applicants holding old type Latvian passports to obtain new passports before filing their applications for U.S. visas.
If time does not allow for you to change passports before applying for a U.S. visa Embassy can process the visa in the old type passport. Your unexpired U.S. visa issued in the old type Latvian passport will remain valid for travel to the U.S. if you travel with two passports. Namely, you may travel with a new Latvian passport and your valid unexpired visa in the previously issued Latvian old style passport.

I have a valid visa in my passport, but I am about to change my passport. How can I keep my valid visa?

Please request that the passport authority does not cancel your visa page. You will be able to travel to the U.S. with your expired passport and your new passport, provided that the visa page in your old passport has not been cancelled. However, if you changed your last name, you may wish to travel with both passports and a document certifying the change of your last name in English. Please note that you may not travel with two passports if you have completely changed your citizenship, i.e. changed it from Latvian to Russian. In such cases, you have to apply for a new visa.

If you do not wish to travel with two passports please reapply. Click here for instructions on visa application process.

U.S. Non-immigrant Visa Application Fee to Increase from January 1, 2008