US tourist visa (B1/B2) submitted in Canada

International students, work permit holders, or Canadian permanent residents who wish to travel to the U.S. for tourism, conferences, or other personal reasons must obtain a U.S. visitor visa if they are citizens of countries that are not on the list of U.S. visa-exempt countries.

How to apply for a U.S. visitor visa?

All applicants in Canada aged 14 to 79 who intend to apply for a U.S. visitor visa while in Canada may be required to attend an in-person appointment at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Those located in Ontario should schedule their interview at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. To apply for a visa, you must first submit your application and schedule an appointment online.

Step 1: Fill out the DS-160 form

• Fill out the visa application form (DS-160) online. Print the confirmation number. You will need to provide this confirmation number from the DS-160 form when scheduling your appointment.
• Have your passport information ready; it must be valid for at least 1 year.
• Check the general information

Step 2: Log in to the U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant Website

• Create a user account
  
• Enter the DS-160 confirmation number for each visa applicant
• Complete the courier document return process
• Pay the Non-immigrant Visa (MRV) application fee(s)
• Citizens of certain countries may be required to pay an additional "reciprocity fee" if the visa is approved
• Schedule an appointment with the Consular Section
  

It is recommended to schedule your appointment and submit your visitor visa application early, as it may sometimes take several weeks or months to obtain an appointment date.

Step 3: Prepare the required documents

• Prepare the documents you may need for the interview
• Review the information for visa applicants on the travel.state.gov website
• Note: If you have been exempted from attending an in-person appointment under the "Personal Appearance Waiver Program" (under 14 or over 79 years old), you must still submit all required supporting documents in your application package.
  

You can view current visa processing times.

Attend your appointment in person, unless you have been exempted under the "Personal Appearance Waiver Program" (under 14 or over 79 years old).

Ensure you bring all necessary documents (see Step 3 above) to your appointment. Review the security procedures at the U.S. Consulate.

Note that the entrance for visa appointments at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto is located at 225 Simcoe Street.

Applicants who are not granted a visa will have their passports and a letter explaining the reason for refusal returned to them at the end of the visa interview.

Renewing a U.S. Visa in Canada

Visa applicants who meet the criteria below may be eligible to apply for a visa by mail without an in-person interview, if:

1. They are permanent residents of Canada; and
   
2. They are physically present in Canada; and
3. Their U.S. visa and passport have not been lost, stolen, or revoked; and
4. They fit into one of the following groups, even if you are a tourist and your visa was issued in any country:
   • Renewal of the same category: You hold a valid U.S. visa or one that has expired within the last 48 months and wish to renew a visa of the same category (e.g., a holder of an expired J visa CANNOT renew for a B1/B2 visa), or
   • F, M, or Academic J Visas: You are applying for an F, M, or Academic J visa and have previously been issued any type of visa; or
   • Individual Petition-Based H, O, P, and Q Visas: You are applying for an H-1, H-3, H-4, O, P, or Q visa and have previously been issued any type of visa. L visa applicants are not eligible for the interview waiver under this group.

KeyApply Services

KeyApply offers services to assist you in filling out forms and understanding the procedures mentioned above. KeyApply assists with:

• Explaining the above paperwork procedures
• Checking completed forms
• Reviewing the documents you have prepared
• Sharing interview experiences; we do not conduct interview coaching and are not responsible for visa outcomes.

FAQ

How long does U.S. visa processing take?
Processing times based on statistics from KeyApply clients:

• Applications requiring an interview: depends on available interview slots
• Applications renewed by mail: approximately 1 month on average
• Urgent applications: within a few days depending on the level of urgency

Does the U.S. visa renewal service take care of everything?
No, the U.S. visa renewal service only includes filling out forms and booking appointments for you. Visa approval still depends on the decision of the U.S. consular authority.

Do I have to attend an interview for renewal by mail?
In most cases, renewal by mail does not require an interview. However, this is not guaranteed for every case. KeyApply does not guarantee that you will completely avoid an interview.

Is the service fee refundable if I am rejected or do not proceed with my application?
Service fees are non-refundable in all circumstances.