-
Decide which type of visa you want
to get. If you are going as a tourist then you will need
to apply for B1/B2 visa.
-
Make all documents ready. Basically
you need to show the documents that will verify you are
going there with a purpose, you will be back after you
finish your mission, you can support yourself financially
while you are in the US and all other necessary information
(documents) you deem necessary.
-
Visa fee with a euro bank draft of
80 euro. You can get it done from any bank e.g. AIB.
-
A swift pack post to return your passport
with visa. You can get swift pack post from the post office.
It costs 5.80 euro.
-
US visa application needs exact photograph
size as prescribed by them. It's better to take photograph
in the pharmacy shop which is about 70m from the US embassy
(just after crossing the bridge). This is where the US
embassy recommends to take photograph. It costs 6 euro
for a pair of photo. You need only one photo to submit
to the US embassy.
-
Fill up DS-156 and DS-157 form. There
are two ways of filling the form either you do it online
or download it. If you do it online you will enter all
your information on the online form and once you click
on 'submit' it will give you the printable form with all
the details you had entered. This is the recommended way.
If you download the form you will need to get a print
out of it and fill the form manually (with pen). This
is not a recommended way but if you feel this is more
comfortable then it doesn't matter.
-
Once you make the entire documents
ready ring US embassy and take an appointment. The phone
number you call will be the premium number and you will
be charged 2.40 euro per minute. It generally takes 3-4
minutes for booking an appointment. Therefore, you will
be spending around 10 euro on the phone. They will give
you the appointment date after 5-6 days you made call.
However, it depends. You may get an appointment date of
after two days as well.
-
They will give you the appointment
date and time. Be there in embassy 15-20 minutes before
that time. You can get to embassy by taking bus no. 7
or 45 from beside Trinity College. It takes 10-15 minutes
from Trinity College to the US embassy. Dublin traffic
is treacherous so always make room for extra time.
-
On the appointment day, when you reach
US embassy get on the queue. There is a window where security
personnel will check all your forms/documents. If everything
is ok, he/she will give you a tag. You will then pass
the security check. You will have to leave mobile phone
at the counter. Go straight to the visa room. Submit your
application and the bank draft at the counter. Take your
seat. You will be called when your form is about to be
processed. If you have all documents perfectly ready they
won't ask you many questions.
- Your visa will be posted to you in 3-4 working days in
the Swift Pack you provide to them. In my case I received
it very next day.
-
B1/B2 visa is generally of 5 years.
In my first visit I got it for only 6 months. However,
for my second visit I got it for 5 years. Not sure what
the exact rule is.
