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How to get a United States of America visa from Algeria
Visa types, fees, processing times and application requirements for Algerian passport holders travelling to United States of America.
Visa types & fees
9 visa options for travelling to United States of America.
Business visa
Processing time3 business days
Validity180 days
Fee (approx.)$160
Crew visa
Processing time5 - 15 days
Validity29 days
Fee (approx.)$160
Journalist visa
Processing time5 - 15 days
Validity180 days
Fee (approx.)$160
Medical visa
Processing time3 business days
Validity180 days
Fee (approx.)$160
Student visa
Processing time3 business days
ValidityMore than 180 days
Fee (approx.)$160
Tourist visa
Processing time3 business days
Validity180 days
Fee (approx.)$160
Transit visa
Processing time3 business days
Validity29 days
Fee (approx.)$160
Visitor Visa
CategoryTourism (B-2) Visa
Processing time5 - 15 days
Validity180 days
Fee (approx.)$160
Work visa
CategorySpecialty Occupation (H-1B) Visa
Processing time5 - 15 days
Validity1 year
Fee (approx.)$190
Application requirements
Documents Algerian applicants need to provide.
- The Algerian passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond date of return from the United States of America.
- The passport must have at lest 2 blank pages for the required visa stamp.
- Visa application must be duly completed and signed by the visa applicant.
- One passport photograph taken within the last 6 months prior to visa application.
- The passport must be 5 cm x 5 cm in size and it must be taken with a white background.
- Original copy of bank statement from the past three months prior to the period of visa application. This is proof of steady and continuous flow of funds.
- Travel insurance which has sufficient medical coverage.
- The insurance should be valid for the duration of the required stay in the US.
- A receipt which shows that full payment of the non-refundable visa application fee has been made.
- Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of stay in the US.
- Copy of return flight ticket back to Algeria is required.
- Travel itinerary showing dates of entry and exit from the United states.
- A list of the applicant's Sofia media account is highly required.
Visa type details
Business (B-1) Visa
- Algerians applying for this visa are those who are traveling to the United States of America to consult with their business associates.
- If you have the intention of attending a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference, you are eligible to apply for this visa type.
- This is the appropriate visa type if the purpose of the planned travel is to settle an estate or to negotiate a contract.
- You are neither allowed to be enrolled in any of the academic institutions in the country to study or take up paid or unpaid employment. During your time in the country, you must not engage in paid performances or perform for a paying audience.
- As a foreigner in the United States of America on this visa, you cannot be employed in the press, radio, film, print journalism, or other forms of information media. Taking up permanent residence in the country is considered illegal.
- Visa applicants who are 13 years or younger and 80 years and above are not required to be in attendance for a visa interview. A visa interview is for those who are between the ages of 14 – 79 years. The visa interview must be scheduled in a United States Embassy in your country of residence. If you schedule your visa interview in a country other than your country of residence, it may be more difficult for you to be granted the visa.
- You are required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee before your visa interview is scheduled. After your visa has been approved, you may be required to pay a visa issuance fee. The visa issuance fee is dependent on your country of residence.
- During the visa application process, applicants of this visa are usually asked to provide documents which explain in details the purpose of their trip and documents which proves that they will be willing to return to their country of residence. Applicants can present a letter of employment or proof of family ties.
- During your visa interview with a consular officer, you may be required to register your fingerprint in the system.
- Staying in the United States longer than the duration allowed may result in you being out of status or you may be permanently be refused future entry into the country.
- If your status changes during your time in the country e.g. if you get married or if you get employed, you can request for a change in your nonimmigrant status through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Tourism (B-2) Visa
- If you have the intention of sightseeing, vacationing, and visiting family and friends in the United States of America, you may go ahead and apply for this visa type.
- Also, Algerians who are traveling to the United States for medical treatment and to take up a short recreational course not aimed at obtaining a degree are also eligible for the B-2 Visa.
- Participating in social events hosted by fraternal, social or service organizations are hugely prohibited. Foreigners in the country on this visa type are also not permitted to participate in musical, sports, or similar events or contents if they will not receive adequate payment for their participation.
- Just like on the B-1 Visa, foreigners are strongly prohibited from being enrolled in an institution of learning or working for a company in the United States of America.
- Arriving on a ship or aircraft as a crew member is not possible using this visa. You also cannot be employed by a foreign press, radio, film, print journalism or any other form of information media.
- Foreigners who are between the ages of 14 – 79 years are required to make themselves available for a visa interview. Those are above or below this age limit are generally not required to schedule and attend a visa interview. The visa interview may be scheduled at a United States Embassy in your country of residence.
- In some cases, additional documents may be required from visa applicants. This document may include documents which state foreigners’ intent of leaving the United States after their visa expires or documents which serve as proof of family ties in their home country.
- If you get married a United States citizen or if you get employed, you can change your nonimmigrant status by applying through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Changing your nonimmigrant status does not necessarily mean you have to change your visa.
- Foreigners are advised to not start making travel plans until they are issued this visa. Just applying for this visa does not guarantee that you will be granted this visa.
- Algerians who seek to be treated by a medical institution or a medical doctor in the United States may also apply for this visa. These people should ensure they receive a diagnosis from their doctor or physician in their home country before applying for this visa, as this a necessary document to be presented.
- Foreigners visiting the United States of America for treatment must obtain a letter from the medical institution that has agreed to take up their treatment in the United States. They must also provide sufficient proof that they are capable of making whatever payment that is required from them.
- Applicants of this visa may be those who have been employed as domestic workers by a United States citizen or a foreigner who is in the country on any of B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or Q visa.
- New visa applicants and those applying for a renewal of their visa may be subjected to the same visa application process.
Tourist visa
- The tourist visa is issued to foreigners visiting the U.S.A. for tourism, vacation (holiday), visiting friends or relatives.
- The applicant must have a passport that is valid for a period of at least 6 months from the period of entering the United States
- The visa application form should be correctly filled and signed by the applicant.
- A tourist visa does not permit visitors to work or take up business activities.
- A confirmed itinerary showing details of the travel details of the applicant's activities in the USA, such as the dates of arrival and departure.
- Return travel tickets showing proof that the applicant intends to return to the home country as soon as the visa expires and not stay in the US.
- Letter of invitation from friends or family or tour organization describing the purpose of the trip.
- The letter should also involve contact information of the host in the U.S.A. and the duration of the trip.
- Financial or bank statements to prove the applicant has the finances to stay in the US of at least $266 for each day of the planned stay.
- The bank statement should not be older than 6 months.
- Ties to Algeria such as family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove that the applicant will return.
- Criminal records or letter from authorities stating that you do not have prior convictions.
- Photocopies of the applicant's residence status in the US.
- If the applicant is not a citizen of Algeria, a copy of the residency permit should be submitted.
- A list of the social media that the applicant use and the name of the account each are required.
Business visa
- A business visa is issued to foreigners for business purposes such as attending business meetings or conferences, getting involved in trade fairs, and signing contracts with other business partners in the US.
- An application form that is correctly completed and signed by the applicant is required.
- A passport that is valid for a period 6 months after a stay in the United States is required.
- An invitation letter from the host company in the US stating the nature of the business to be carried out in the US is required.
- The latter must fully introduce the applicant and must clearly state the duration and purpose of visit to the US.
- The contact information and the company's address must be indicated in the letter of invitation.
- The inviting company in the US must be an approved and registered company in the US. Documents or Certificates showing proof of this is highly required.
- Business letter from the applicant's employer written on the company letterhead stating that the applicant's leave has been granted and that the applicant would be returning to the current job.
- The letter should also indicate the duration of the trip, the purpose of the trip, the applicant job position and payslip of the last three months.
- Applicants should provide bank statements for the last 6 months.
- Financial or bank statements to prove you have the finances to stay in the US.
- Criminal records or letter from authorities stating that you do not have prior convictions.
- If the applicant is self-employed, a certificate of business registration and payslips for the last three months are required.
- List and details of your social media accounts that the applicant use and the names.
Medical visa
- The US medical visa is issued to foreigners traveling to the US for strictly medical purposes.
- A receipt showing payment of the $160 non-refundable visa application processing fee has been paid.
- Proof of travel histories such as any document or previous visa stamps attesting to the applicant's previous visits to other countries is required.
- Current proof of income, tax payments, property or business ownership, or assets and other documents demonstrating strong social and family ties to Algeria that will compel you to return to your country after your intended visit to the U.S. ends.
- Applicant's travel itinerary such as flight/hospital/hotel bills and any other explanation about the planned trip.
- Criminal/court records pertaining to any arrest or conviction anywhere, even if the applicant completed the required sentence or were later pardoned, i.e. police clearance certificate is required.
- Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason the applicant need treatment in the United States.
- Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, stating they are willing to treat the specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
- Proof that the applicant's transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid. This may be in the form of a bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns (either yours or the person or organization paying for your treatment).
Student visa
- A student visa is issued to international students who want to attend educational institutions in the US.
- Documents that prove that the applicant has previous education and current qualifications such as original transcripts, standardized test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT, etc.).
- Acceptance letters from the educational institution which accepted and previous degree diplomas are highly required.
- Students applying for a program that requires more than 18 hours of study in a week require a student visa. This includes all undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs like MS and MBA.
- Applicants must submit documents that prove that they have sufficient funds for the whole duration of stay in the U.S.A.
- This can be done by submitting various documents, such as bank statements for the last 3 years, tax records for the last 3 years, or pay stubs of previous employment.
- If the applicant has received a scholarship, documentation showing proof of it such as sponsorship letters should be submitted.
- If the applicant will be funding the US education through a loan, the applicant must also show proof of the approved loan
- International students must prove that they can speak and understand English at a level that enables them to enroll in an academic program.
- Students can prove their language proficiency by taking standardized English proficiency tests such as the TOEFL or the IELTS.
- If you don’t prove and submit documents that you have strong ties to your home country and intend to go home after your educational program ends, it will be more difficult to get a student visa.
Transit visa
- Visa application form should be correctly filled and signed by the applicant.
- The Algerian passport which has at least one blank page to be able to affix visa.
- The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the United States.
- Proof of paid transit visa fee.
- A list of the social media that the applicant use, and the name of the account in each, phone number, email and social media history of the five previous years is required.
- Ticket or travel itinerary to your final destination.
- A letter that states the purpose of your visit to your final destination.
- Proof that you are financially able to cover your expenses during your transit.
- Evidence that you will return to your home or another country after your stay in the US. This could be a property deed, apartment lease, or other proof.
- If the applicant has been arrested before in the US, a letter explaining the offense, the reasons for the arrest, and proof of whether the applicant was convicted or not is required.
Where to apply
United States of America embassy & visa application centers in Algeria.
Algiers
Address5, Chemin Cheikh Bachir Ibrahimi, Algiers, Algeria.
Phone+213 770 08 2000
Websitewww.dz.embassy.gov
| Day | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | 08:00 | 14:00 |
| Tue | 08:00 | 14:00 |
| Wed | 08:00 | 14:00 |
| Thu | 08:00 | 14:00 |
| Fri | — | — |
| Sat | — | — |
| Sun | 08:00 | 14:00 |
Frequently asked questions
How long does my passport have to be valid for the US visa?
Applicants passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of the intended exit from the US.
Can I work with my US student visa
Yes, international students can work in the USA while studying but there are some restrictions. Students are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year.
When is the best time to visit the US
The best time to visit the US is during Spring and Fall, however Summer months from May to September are considered the peak time for tourists to visit the country.
How can I extend my US visa?
The validity of the US visa cannot be extended regardless of its type. Applicants will need to apply for a new visa.
Visa fees and rules change often. Confirm the latest United States of America visa
requirements with an official embassy or consulate before booking travel.