United States of America visa requirements for Eritreans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Eritreans visiting United States of America

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a American Visa.

  • An Eritrea passport that is valid for travel to the United States of America. The passport must carry a validity date of not less than 6 months from the intended date of exiting the country. Each passport of persons desiring a visa application must be submitted if the passport includes more than one person.
  • A DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application) form which has been duly completed and signed by the visa applicant.
  • Two passport-sized photographs taken within the last 6 months prior to the visa application. The passport must be 5cmx5cm 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 your stay in the country.
  • A receipt that shows that full payment of the non-refundable visa application fee has been made. The fee must be paid in your country’s local currency.
  • Proof of accommodation for the period you will be staying in the country.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.

United States Of America Visa for Eritreans

Facts about United States Of America

The United States of America is one of the main tourist destinations in the world. You cannot truly see all the country has to offer in one trip. If you have exhausted the things to see in a particular location, the next location brings up a fresh array of things to see. The country has beautiful scenery, entertainment options, magnificent architecture, great tourist sites and so much more. No matter what you are interested in doing, you are sure to get it in the United States of America. National Parks, casinos, beaches, historical sites, movie theatres, trade fairs, shopping malls, restaurants, nightlife are just some of the things you can do in the country. Make sure you enjoy the rollercoaster of fun during your time here.
 
Tourism in the USA is a large industry that contributes greatly to the American economy. The United States of America is the country that attracts the third-largest number of tourists behind France and Spain and this may be attributed to the fact that tourists stay longer in the United States more than they do in France and Spain. The country plays host to about 78 million tourists yearly. Since Donald Trump got elected, the number of tourist visits in the United States has dropped by 4% and has led to the loss of about 40,000 jobs.
 
Citizens of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Caymans, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand, etc can gain entry to the United States of America visa-free for a certain period of time.

Types of United States Of America Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa Within 15 days 180 days
Business visa Within 15 days 180 days
Student visa Within 15 days Study's duration
Transit visa Within 15 days 29 days

General Requirements for United States Of America Visa

  • An Eritrea passport that is valid for travel to the United States of America. The passport must carry a validity date of not less than 6 months from the intended date of exiting the country. Each passport of persons desiring a visa application must be submitted if the passport includes more than one person.
  • A DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application) form which has been duly completed and signed by the visa applicant.
  • Two passport-sized photographs taken within the last 6 months prior to the visa application. The passport must be 5cmx5cm 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 your stay in the country.
  • A receipt that shows that full payment of the non-refundable visa application fee has been made. The fee must be paid in your country’s local currency.
  • Proof of accommodation for the period you will be staying in the country.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
United States Of America Tourist visa United States Of America Business visa United States Of America Student visa United States Of America Transit visa

United States Of America Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • B-2 visa otherwise known as a Tourist visa is a United States of America visa granted to tourists all around the world (except the recently banned countries from entering the U.S) who are intending to travel to the county for the purpose of sightseeing, vacationing, and visiting family and friends in the United States of America.
  • Eritrean nationals 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 this B-2 Visa.
  • 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.
  • Travelers on this visa are not liable to be study or enrolled in any educational institution while traveling on this visa, neither can they work with it.
  • 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.
  • For Foreigners ranging from 14-79 years of age, interview will be conducted on them during their application. 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 that 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.
  • Eritreans 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.
  • New visa applicants and those applying for a renewal of their visa may be subjected to the same visa application process.

United States Of America Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • B-1 visa also called Business visa is a visa issued by the United States of America embassy or consulate in your country to Business travelers who wish to conduct business in the United States.
  • This visa is also granted to those attending a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference.
  • This is the appropriate visa type if the purpose of the planned travel is to settle an estate or to negotiate a contract.
  • You can neither work nor study while you are traveling on the visa, for you will have to apply for the visa designed for either of the activities in the United States of America. During your time in the country, you must not engage in paid performances or perform for a paying audience.
  • 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. 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 detail 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).

United States Of America Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The F-1 Visa is the most common type of Student Visa. Foreigners who wish to attend an approved school such as a college or university, or private secondary school are the eligible applicants of the F-1 Visa.
  • If you will be undergoing a program that lasts for more than 18 hours a week, this is the visa type for you.
  • Eritreans applying for the F-1 Visa are not allowed to be enrolled in public elementary schools from kindergarten to 8th grade or to attend an adult education program which is publicly funded.
  • You are only allowed to attend public secondary schools from grade 9 to grade 12 for a maximum period of 12 months.
  • It should be stated clearly on the Form I-20 that students have made payment for the educational cost.
  • Foreigners are required to present a Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt which indicates that they have paid the SEVIS fee.
  • After the F-1 Visa holder as completed all the relevant courses needed for graduation, he/she is eligible for up to 12 months of Optical Practical Training (OPT). The OPT is generally different from the work in the student’s academic curriculum, it will not be reflected in the academic program.
  • After a break of five months or more from being away from your studies, you can apply for another student F-1 Visa on your return to the school.
  • You are required to present the original and copies of academic documents such as school transcripts with grades, public examination certificates, standardized test scores and diplomas during the visa application.

United States Of America Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The United States of American Transit visa also known as C-1 visa is a visa issued to travelers who will be transiting through the United States of America to their destination countries either in the American continent or other places around the world.
  • If you are intending to visit friends or visit for the purpose of tourism during your stop-over in the United States, you are inclined to apply for a visa designed to suit that purpose.
  • Foreigners must be in possession of the flight tickets(if transiting through airplane) to their destination country and other forms of permits which allows them to gain entry into the country.
  • You must be able to prove to the United States consular officer that the purpose of your visit to the United States is solely for transit purposes and you will be in the United States for a specific period of time.
  • You may be required to pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee depending on your country of origin.
  • Avoid submitting fake documents during the visa application. You can be blacklisted for doing so.
  • The documents to be submitted during the visa application should be in a sealed envelope. The confidentiality of your information is paramount to the Embassy, the content of the documents you submit will not be divulged to anyone.

United States Of America Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

B2

160.00 (USD)

Business visa

B1

160.00 (USD)

Student visa

F1

160.00 (USD)

Transit visa

C1

160.00 (USD)

United States Of America Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Eritrea

Location

Address

Asmara

The Embassy of the United States of America, 179 Alaa Street, P.O. Box 211, Asmara, Eritrea.

(+291)1-12-00-04

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the age limits before attending United States Higher Institution?

The age you must attain before you can attend the U.S University is 17years and you must have finished high school.

Can I school and work simultaneously when in the United States?


Foreign students can work in the University campus up to 20 hours per week in their first year and can further apply to work off-campus in the following school years. Before you can have access to working either on the campus or off-campus, you must have been permitted by the United States of American International Student Office.

 

What is the least validity of my passport if I want to apply for the United States of American visa?

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your intended exit from the country.

Can I extend my visa while in the United State of America?
The validity of your visa cannot be extended regardless of its type. You will need to apply for a new visa.