Visa Services

Non-Immigrant Visas

General Information

Types of Non-Immigrant Visas

Business, Tourist and Visitors Visas (B1/ B2)

Students Visas(F, and M)

Exchange Visitor Visas(J)

Visas for Domestic Employee

Visas for Medical Treatment

Temporary Workers Overview (H1B, L)

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

Fiancee Visas

Death in the Family and other Emergencies

Court Case

I-94 Departure Record

The Immigration and Naturalization Law of the United States of America assumes that each visa applicant is applying with the intent to immigrate.  Because of this, each applicant for a visa must prove the following:

• That they have a well-established residence outside of the United States as well as other obligations in their own country that assure that they will return to their country of origin at the end of their visit.  Because of this, each applicant should apply for a visa in their current country of residence if that is different from their country of birth or nationality. 
  
• That their stay in the United States will be for a limited and specific time.
  
• That they have the financial resources necessary to cover the costs of the visit and round-trip transportation.

Applicants should bring any visas for travel to the United States that they have received in the past.  They may also present documents that they believe demostrate the above points.  Normally, these will be documents that prove work, income, study, or, in the case of dependants (wife or husband, children under 18 years of age), similar documents for their spouse or parents.  Applicants may bring any documents they feel are appropriate, however, the consular officer will generally only wish to inspect employment letters, bank statements, prior passports and/or visas and professional credentials.  Titles to property and vehicles, stock certificates and articles of incorporation are not encouraged. Dependents must also prove their relationship to the family member in question with a birth or marriage certificate.  Each document must be an original, must be current and must be legalized by the Paraguayan government where appropriate.  Presenting falsified documents with the application may result in a finding of permanent ineligibility for a visa and being permanently barred from entering the United States.  There is no one document that guarantees the issuance of a visa.

BASIC STEPS

This general information can also be found at the entrance to the Embassy. 

1.      Pay the application fee which is only accepted at the following branches of ABN-AMRO Bank: downtown, Villa Morra, Mcal Lopez Shopping, Eusebio Ayala and also in Ciudad del Este, Coronel Oviedo and Santa Rita.

The application fee is not refundable and is valid for one year from the date that the receipt was issued.  After the application fee is paid, the representative of ABN-AMRO will assign you an appointment time for an interview at the Embassy.  ABN-AMRO Bank will cease scheduling visa appointments on April 8, 2008.  The Bank will schedule appointments that will take place through Thursday, April 10.  All appointments for interviews from Monday, April 14, 2008 onward must be made online.  The Bank will continue to collect the fees, this will not change.  Applicants must have the receipt number from the fee payment in order to make an appointment online.   

2.      Arrive at the interview with all necessary documents, including the receipt for payment at ABN-AMRO, the completed application form, a 5 x 5 cm photo with a light-colored background taken within the last six months, a valid passport and any documents that demostrate your ties to Paraguay.  A list of photo shops that are familiar with the photo requirements and more information on the requirements can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov/paraguay-esp/photo_req.html.  Minors age 16 and below shall present a legalized copy of a birth certificate.  Spouses who are applying for derivative status, e.g. F2, J2 or H4 shall bring a legalized marriage certificate to demonstrate eligibility for the status sought.

3.      All visa applicants must complete form DS-156.  In addition, men between 15 and 45 years of age must complete form DS-157 and applicants for student visas and exchange program visas must complete form DS-158.

Visa Wait Times

Typical Wait Time (Calendar Days*) for a Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Appointment

Visitors Visas: 2 Days
Student/Exchange Visitors Visas (Excludes: A, G, K, and V): 2 Days
All Other Nonimmigrant Visas: 2 Days

Typical Wait Time (Workdays**) for a Nonimmigrant Visa To Be Processed***: Next-day passback

*Calendar days refer to every day of the week, including days when embassies are closed (such as weekends and holidays).

**Work days refer only to days when the embassy is open and does not include weekends and holidays.

***IMPORTANT NOTE: Processing wait time DOES NOT include the time required for additional special clearance or administrative processing. These procedures require additional time. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application. When additional administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.

"NEW Security Measure: On entry to the United States all foreign visitors will be asked to submit ten fingerprints using an electronic scanner.  This is a border security requirement intended to protect the innocent lives of US citizens and foreign visitors alike.  Please click HERE for details on this new element of US border security."