Visas to the U.S.
Welcome to the Visa section of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, an official source of information about United States visa policy and procedures. We hope you'll use this site to learn about different types of U.S. visas, the application process, and to better understand the requirements for obtaining a U.S. visa.
A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you require is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.
VISA FRAUD WARNING
We would like to caution applicants about the increasing frequency of agencies and websites offering to secure visas, often at high prices. Do not accept offers, promises, assurances and assistance from third parties in obtaining American visas for money. Only authorized employees/officers of the American Consulate can approve issuance of a visa. We would also like to urge those interested in exchange programs (Summer Work and Travel and Au-pair programs), to pay special attention when selecting a local agency organizing these programs. While there are many legitimate agencies that we work with, instances of fraud among unscrupulous agencies are being reported with increasing frequency. If you have additional questions or you suspect illegal activity by an agency or an individual, please e-mail us at consularbelgrd@state.gov.
Non-immigrant visas in Podgorica
Applicants for non-immigrant visas in Montenegro can now choose to make an appointment in Podgorica. Please note that visa processing capabilities in Podgorica are limited. For instructions on applying in Podgorica, click here.
Montenegro applicants are free to continue to apply in Belgrade. For instructions on making an appointment in Belgrade, please follow the instructions on these pages.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION about your rights for applicants for H, J and domestic worker visas - Please read before your interview!
VISA WEBSITE FRAUD WARNING
How to get to the US Embassy Belgrade
Contact us/Our Schedule
You can also learn more about visas at http://travel.state.gov/visa
There is an A-Z listing of visa related information at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/a_zindex/a_zindex_2911.html
Important Websites
U.S. Citizen and Immigration Forms
Safety and Security of U.S. Borders and Use of Biometrics
Yugoslav Passports – Serbian Citizens
The Serbian government officially announced that Serbian citizens can continue to use Yugoslav passports as valid travel documents until the end of 2010.
The Visa section of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade will issue visas to qualified applicants in any valid passport. According to current Serbian law, Yugoslav passports will not be valid for travel after December 31, 2010. Therefore, the U.S. Embassy will issue U.S. visas for Serbian citizens in Yugoslav passports until the end of 2010.
However, please note that when you enter the U.S., U.S. immigration officials will not grant permission to stay beyond the expiration date of your passport in most cases. That means they will not give you permission to stay in the U.S. after December 31, 2010, at the latest, if you enter on a Yugoslav passport.
If you are planning a trip later in 2010, we strongly urge you to get a new Serbian passport. If you already have a valid visa in a Yugoslav passport, please read the message below.
Valid Visas in Old Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Passports:
Serbian citizens with valid U.S. visas in an expired or cancelled Yugoslav passport may travel with their old Federal Republic of Yugoslavia passport and new Serbian passport together. Please note: the dates of validity of the U.S. visa in the old passport must be current and there should be no cancellation stamps or holes punched through the visa itself. The biodata information (name, date and place of birth, etc.) in both passports must match exactly. When traveling to the United States, you must show both your new Serbian passport and your valid U.S. visa (in your old passport) to airline officials and U.S. border inspectors.
If you wish to apply for a new U.S. visa to be placed in your new Serbian passport, you must bring your valid U.S. visa in your old Federal Republic of Yugoslavia passport with you to the visa interview so that the old visa may be cancelled by the Consul. Issuance of a new U.S. visa is not automatic. You must apply and qualify for a brand new visa, and bring all required documents to the visa interview. Please see the following link for instructions on applying for a new U.S. visa: http://belgrade.usembassy.gov/consular/nv/apply.html.
Yugoslav Passports – Montenegrin Citizens
Montenegrin law states that Montenegrin citizens can continue to use Yugoslav passports until the end of 2009.
The Visa section of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade will issue visas to qualified applicants in any valid passport. According to current Montenegrin law, Yugoslav passports will not be valid for travel after December 31, 2009. Therefore, the U.S. Embassy will issue U.S. visas for Montenegrins citizens in Yugoslav passports until the end of 2009.
However, please note that when you enter the U.S., U.S. immigration officials will not grant permission to stay beyond the expiration date of your passport in most cases. That means they will not give you permission to stay in the U.S. after December 31, 2009, at the latest, if you enter on a Yugoslav passport.
If you are planning a trip in the remainder of 2009, we strongly urge you to get a new Montenegrin passport now. If you already have a valid visa in a Yugoslav passport, please read the message below.
Valid Visas in Old Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Passports:
Montenegrin citizens with valid U.S. visas in an expired or cancelled Yugoslav passport may travel with their old Federal Republic of Yugoslavia passport and new Montenegrin passport together. Please note: the dates of validity of the U.S. visa in the old passport must be current and there should be no cancellation stamps or holes punched through the visa itself. The biodata information (name, date and place of birth, etc.) in both passports must match exactly. When traveling to the United States, you must show both your new Montenegrin passport and your valid U.S. visa (in your old passport) to airline officials and U.S. border inspectors.
If you wish to apply for a new U.S. visa to be placed in your new Montenegrin passport, you must bring your valid U.S. visa in your old Federal Republic of Yugoslavia passport with you to the visa interview so that the old visa may be cancelled by the Consul. Issuance of a new U.S. visa is not automatic. You must apply and qualify for a brand new visa, and bring all required documents to the visa interview. Please see the following link for instructions on applying for a new U.S. visa: http://belgrade.usembassy.gov/consular/nv/apply.html.
Customer Service Statement to Visa Applicants
The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States. We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known. Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.
We promise to you, the visa applicant, that:
- We will treat you with dignity and respect, even if we are unable to grant you a visa.
- We will treat you as an individual and your case as unique.
- We will remember that, to you, a visa interview may be a new or intimidating experience and that you may be nervous.
- We will use the limited time available for the interview to get as full a picture as possible of your travel plans and intentions.
- We will use our available resources to fairly assist all applicants to get appointments to allow travel in time for business, study, and other important obligations.
- We will post detailed and accurate information on visa requirements and application procedures on every Embassy and Consulate website.
- We will provide information on nonimmigrant appointment waiting times at every Embassy and Consulate posted on http://travel.state.gov.
- We will explain the reason for any visa denial to you.
Furthermore, if you are a:
- Student, we will make every effort to ensure that you get an appointment and, if qualified, a visa in time to start classes.
- Medical and humanitarian emergency traveler, we will expedite processing for those dealing with life threatening emergencies.
- Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
At the same time, we expect you, the visa applicant, to:
- Plan your travel and visa application as far in advance as possible.
- Complete your application fully and accurately.
- Be forthcoming about your purpose and plans.
- Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.
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