International students, work permit holders, or Canadian permanent residents who wish to travel to the U.S. for tourism, conference attendance, or other personal purposes must obtain a U.S. visitor visa if they are citizens of countries not included in the list of U.S. visa-exempt countries.
How to apply for a U.S. visitor visa?
All applicants in Canada between the ages of 14 and 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 in Ontario should schedule their interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. To apply for a visa, you must first submit your application and book an appointment online.
Step 1: Complete the DS-160 form
- Complete the visa application form (DS-160) online. Print the confirmation number. You will need to provide the confirmation number from the DS-160 form when booking your appointment.
- Have your passport information available, with at least 1 year of validity remaining.
- 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 return document 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 book 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" – being under 14 or over 79 years of age – you must still submit all required supporting documents in your application package.
You can view the current visa processing times.
Attend your appointment in person, unless you have been exempted under the "Personal Appearance Waiver Program" – being under 14 or over 79 years of age.
Ensure that 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 appointment applicants at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto is at 225 Simcoe Street.
Applicants who are not granted a visa will have their passports and a letter explaining the reason for the 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 interview, if they:
- Are a permanent resident of Canada; and
- Are physically present in Canada; and
- Have not had a U.S. visa or passport lost, stolen, or revoked; and
- Meet one of the following categories, even if you are a tourist and your visa was issued in any country:
- Renewal in the same category: You have a valid U.S. visa or one that expired within the last 48 months and wish to renew it in the same category (e.g., a holder of an expired J visa CANNOT renew it 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 an interview waiver under this category.
KeyApply Services
KeyApply provides assistance with filling out forms and understanding the procedures mentioned above. KeyApply assists with:
- Explaining the paperwork procedures above
- Reviewing completed forms
- Checking the documents you have prepared
- Sharing interview experiences; we do not provide 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 with an interview: depends on available interview slots
- Applications for renewal by mail: average of 1 month
- 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 form filling and booking your appointment. The final approval of the visa remains at the discretion of the U.S. consular authorities.
Do I have to attend an interview for renewal by mail?
Most renewals by mail do not require an interview. However, this is not guaranteed for every case. KeyApply does not guarantee that you will be completely exempt from an interview.
Is the service fee refundable if my application is rejected or if I choose not to proceed?
Service fees are non-refundable in all situations.