Visas to the U.S.
Facts about Visas and Visa Renewals
“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 in the country of his/her current residence 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 circumstances of each applicant are evaluated on individual basis.
Please click here if you wish to read about other visa applicants’ experience.
“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 U.S. immigration inspector authorizes or denies admission to the U.S.
“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 are not valid for international travel as of July 1, 2008. Please obtain a new type Latvian passport before filing you applications for U.S. visas.
“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.
“What to do is your passport with a U.S. visa inside is stolen or lost?”
Please report to the Consular Section of any U.S.Embassy or Consulate at your earliest convenience if your passport with a U.S. visa inside is lost or stolen. You will be asked to provide information on your date of birth, the date your passport was stolen or lost, description of circumstances of how it happened, as well as the type of visa you had in that passport.
You can report the loss/theft of your passport to the U.S.Embassy in Riga by calling +371 6703-6200.
Should you wish to travel to the U.S. again, please apply for a new U.S. visa following the standard instruction in the section How to Apply for a U.S. Visa.
“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 the same travel purpose, as long as the visa has not expired, and the traveler has done nothing to become ineligible to enter the U.S..
“How can I find out how long I am authorized to stay in the U.S? “
The U.S. immigration officer at a port of U.S. entry places a small white card, Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record in your passport. In most cases, a specific date will be indicated on the Form I-94 (in the lower right-hand corner). That is the date by which you must leave the United States.
Some students, exchange program participants, and certain temporary workers (e.g., foreign diplomats) will be admitted for “duration of status”. If you have "duration of status" or “D/S” on your Form I-94, you may remain in the U.S. as long as you continue your course of studies or remain in your exchange program or qualifying employment.
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.
If you are traveling on the Visa Waiver Program, you will receive Form I-94W, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record, a green card.
As example of the difference between the duration of stay permitted in the U.S. and validity of a visa, your visa may be valid for several years, and yet your authorized period of stay, as shown on the Arrival-Departure Record, Form I-94, may be limited to a few weeks.
“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 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 before your U.S. visa has been issued.