Non-immigrant Visas
How To Submit Non-Immigrant Visa Applications
- All applicants must complete their application form (DS-156) online, print out the three pages, and bring the printed form to their visa interview. Click here to access the online visa application form (DS-156). This form produces a barcode, which the Consular Section scans to enter information into its system, making data entry more efficient. Applicants who appear with forms that are printed on poor quality printers or have damaged barcodes will have to leave the embassy to reprint their forms before their interview.
- Applicants 16 years and over also need to complete form DS-157 prior to their interview and bring this form with them. Click here to download form DS-157. Note, unlike the DS-156, this form must be completed by hand.
- All applicants must submit a Supplemental Family Form, which may also be completed by hand. Click here to download a Supplemental Family Form.
- After printing the application form(s), applicants must go to Standard Chartered Bank (Kairaba Avenue, Senegambia, or Banjul branches) to pay the non-refundable $131 visa application fee to make an appointment for an interview. The bank will provide applicants with an appointment slip which must be presented to the Embassy. The Embassy does not accept walk-in applications.
What To Bring To Your Visa Interview
All applicants need to arrive at the embassy at the scheduled appointment with their complete application packet, including: - Current passport, which will remain valid for at least six months after planned entry into the United States.
- All prior passports.
- Completed application form (DS-156)
- All applicants over 16 years of age, must also bring their supplemental form (DS-157).
- Completed Supplemental Family Form.
- Proof of social, family, economic, professional ties to home country.
- Recent photograph, 2 inches square (50 mm square), color, front facing (for more information click here.)
- Nonrefundable visa application fee of $131.00 or Dalasi equivalent (the fee must be paid entirely in one currency)
To minimize delays during security screening, applicants are advised against bringing cellphones and other electronics to their interview – the embassy does not allow these items on the premises – and to consider leaving bags and purses outside as these items will be searched prior to entry.
In the event that applicants have any special, physical needs that will require additional assistance, please ask the bank to notify the consular section when making your appointment. Any person accompanying a special-needs applicants will also need to bring photo identification to enter the Consular Section. Instructions for completing the electronic DS-156
- Complete the form on-line by filling in the applicable data fields. Fill in the form as completely as possible leaving blank only those fields that do not apply in your case. If a field is completed incorrectly, a message will advise you on who to correct the entry.
- Review the information you have entered for accuracy.
- Press the Continue button at the end of the form and wait while the system processes your data and transfers it to a 3 page DS-156 form with a special bar code on page 3. Failure to click on the Continue button will result in an incorrectly formatted application form.
- Print the form after it is returned to you and date and sign it.
Additional Requirements for Students and Exchange Visitors
- Evidence of payment of SEVIS fee.
- Valid Form I-20 or DS-2019 as applicable.
- Evidence that sufficient funds are readily available to cover the first year of studies. Evidence from sponsor noting ability to be a sponsor.
- Supplemental visa application form (DS-157)
- Contact information and work history form (DS-158). Please note under item 6, the word "siblings" means "brothers and sisters."
What your Computer Needs
To use the electronic visa application form, your Internet browser must support 128-bit encryption and you should use either an ink-jet or laser printer to print the completed application form. If you are using Internet Explorer (Windows), the minimum version that will work with this site is version 5.0, with service pack 2. If you are using Netscape, the minimum version that will work with this site is version 6.2. You must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form. The minimum version that will work with this site is version 5. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, you may download a copy from Adobe’s web site.
Depending on the speed of your Internet connection, it may take several minutes to download the initial and completed copies of the form. Please be patient.
Picking Up Your Visa
Applicants who are issued visas will generally be advised to return at 1500 hours on the following day to pick-up their passport with visa. Those applicants who are interviewed on Thursdays will need to return on the following Monday to pick-up their passport.
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