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INFORMATION ABOUT OBTAINING U.S. VISAS
The Consular Section issues visas for Angolans and residents of Angola to visit the United States. A visa constitutes permission to apply for entry to the United States at the port of entry, where the immigration officer will determine admittance and length of stay. All Angolans need visas to apply for entrance to the United States, including in transit. Please note that, effective October 1, 2003, and until further notice, holders of passports from all countries except those that are part of the Visa Waiver Program need visas to transit the U.S. Visas are issued in accordance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act, as amended, enacted by the United States Congress. The Consular Section provides visa services only on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:15-10:00 a.m. Issued visas will generally be ready for pickup at 4:30 p.m. on the same day. If the number of applicants or any other circumstance renders this impossible, then passports with visas will be returned the following morning, or as soon as possible after that time.
To qualify for a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary visit to the United States for business or pleasure, applicants must:
Apply for the visa in the consular district where they are resident. For Angolans this generally means the United States Consular Section in Luanda.
Be physically present in the consular district where they apply.
Overcome the presumption that they are intending immigrants. To do so, applicants must show compelling ties to their home country that would assure their need to leave the United States and return home.
Provide proof of sufficient financial resources so that they would not become a financial burden to the United States taxpayer.
According to United States law, the applicant assumes all of the burden of proof to qualify for a visa.
General information regarding visas
According to United States law all nonimmigrant visa applicants are presumed to be intending immigrants. Applicants must demonstrate to the Consular Officer that they have strong, binding ties to their home country that would compel them to leave the United States and return home.
A visa is not a guarantee of entry into the United States. A visa is permission to request admission at the border. The immigration officials decide whether applicants may be admitted and for how long they may stay in the United States.
All visa applicants must pay the $100 application fee before being interviewed by the Consular Officer. After the interview, if the visa is approved, there will be a visa issuance fee based upon bilateral treaties with the United States. For Angolans the visa issuance fee is $10, for a total of $110 in fees. If the Consular Officer determines that an applicant is not qualified for a visa, the $100 application fee is not refundable. These are the only fees associated with visas. There are no fees for forms, information or access to the Consulate. [Note: All visa fees are payable in U.S. dollars only and should be paid only to the Consular cashier at the Consulate. For denominations of $5 and larger, the Consulate only accepts bills with large faces (newer series dollars). Exact change is appreciated. The Consulate does not accept credit cards, personal checks, money orders, kwanzas, or any other form of payment.]
Do not give passports, applications, supporting documents or application fees to anyone except the consular staff inside the Consular Section of the United States Embassy.
There are additional requirements for students and for persons seeking medical treatment in the United States and different requirements for citizens of countries which participate in the Visa Waiver Program. The Diversity Visa Program is another possible area of interest. Also, click for information about the current non-immigrant visa processing situation. Another official source of information about U.S. visa policy and procedures is the Destination USA: Secure Borders.Open Doors website. Use this site to learn about the visa application process, understand current requirements, and get updates on recent developments.
Required and recommended documents for all visa applications:
[Note: In order to access the forms listed below, the user needs to have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be acquired by clicking on the following link: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/alternate.html#51eng]
Form DS-156 is required to be completed and signed. Applications must be completed for all applicants, including minor children. [Note: At http://evisaforms.state.gov, all applicants can now complete and print English or Spanish versions of the DS-156 before signing and submitting it to the Consular Section for processing.]
Form DS-157 is required to be completed and signed for all male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 years.
Applicants for academic (F) or vocational (M) student visas, or exchange (J) visas must also complete form DS-158. Their names must appear in the "Student and Exchange Visitor Information System - SEVIS," a DHS (ex-INS) database from which the new I-20s and DS-2019s are generated and issued.
One recent full-face photograph measuring two inches square (approximately 50 mm square), taken within the last six months in front of a white or off-white background, without a hat, dark glasses, or any other accessories, signed on the back is required.
A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of arrival in the United States is required.
Minors must provide evidence of both parents' permission to travel, or a death certificate if a parent is deceased, as well as a letter stating who is responsible for their travels and proof of financial resources.
A letter from your employer stating your position, duration of employment, base salary, reason for travel, when you will travel and return, and who is financially responsible for your travel is recommended.
If you are self-employed, providing a letter as stated above, a copy of your business registration and a copy of the bank statement of your business showing six months of activity is recommended.
If you are attending a conference, training or business meetings, providing any correspondence you have had with the United States host organization/company is recommended.
Proof of your financial resources to travel to the United States (e.g., bank statements and/or your monthly salary receipts for the past six months) is recommended.
Foreign residents should present their foreign resident card or a work visa.
[Note: The Consular Officer may request additional documentation during the interview.]
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