Publication date: 31.03.2025
My name is Yelyzaveta Mazur, I am a lawyer from Kyiv. My main area of expertise is migration practice. Regardless of the complexity of your situation, you will receive an individual approach, clear recommendations and full support at every stage.
Case Summary: Obtaining a U.S. tourist visa.
Responsible Lawyer: Mazur Yelyzaveta.
Case Circumstances: Our company received a request from a Client to obtain a U.S. tourist visa and assess the chances of visa approval. To analyze the case, the Client is provided with a questionnaire template to fill out.
Result: After analysis, the lawyer found that the Client has a brother who is currently in the U.S. under the Uniting for Ukraine program. The Client's travel history is not extensive, mainly consisting of trips within EU countries.
At the same time, the Client has official employment and an active media history in Ukraine. Another important factor for obtaining a visa is the presence of real estate and actively used bank accounts in Ukraine. At the time of application, the Client did not own any movable or immovable property in Ukraine but actively used bank accounts in Ukrainian banks. All relevant confirmations were provided and attached to the application.
Procedure for Obtaining a U.S. Tourist Visa
U.S. Tourist Visa (B1/B2) – a non-immigrant visa that allows travel to the U.S. for tourism, leisure, visiting relatives, or short-term medical treatment.
Main Stages of Obtaining a Tourist Visa:
- Filling out the DS-160 form. The form is completed online in English on the official website of the U.S. Department of State. It is important to provide truthful information and answer all questions correctly.
- Paying the consular fee. The fee amount may change, so applicants should check the current rates before submitting an application. After payment, the applicant receives a receipt, which is required for the next steps.
- Scheduling an interview. An interview with a consular officer is mandatory for most applicants. Appointments are scheduled through the official website of the U.S. embassy.
- Document preparation.
The standard document package usually includes:
- A valid passport.
- Confirmation of DS-160 form submission.
- Proof of consular fee payment.
- Documents confirming financial solvency (bank statements, employment certificates, etc.).
- Documents confirming ties to Ukraine (marriage certificates, property ownership, employment or business certificates, etc.).
- Interview process.
- The interview is conducted in English or Ukrainian, depending on the applicant's preference.
- The consular officer may ask about the purpose of travel, source of funding, ties to Ukraine, and previous international trips.
- It is important to answer confidently and honestly.
- Waiting for a decision.
- If the visa is approved, the passport with the visa will be sent via courier service or can be collected at the designated pick-up point.
- In case of refusal, the consular officer will provide the reason, and the applicant may reapply after addressing the issues.
Case Stages for the Client
- Document preparation: booking the application date, paying the consular fee, and drafting the Client's travel plan for the U.S. consulate interview abroad (to correctly fill in details regarding travel dates, accommodation, itinerary, etc., in the application form).
- Filling out the application: after thoroughly reviewing the Client's history and preparing the necessary documents, the immigration lawyer began working on the application. Completion time – 1 day. At the end, a confirmation page with application details is provided, which can be modified one last time before final submission.
- Submitting the application: once the application is completed, the Client receives confirmation of submission, which cannot be changed, and it is sent to the U.S. consulate online.
- Interview preparation: after completing all technical procedures, attorney Yelyzaveta proceeded with oral guidance – preparing the Client for the interview with the U.S. consular officer. During the preparation, typical questions were reviewed, application details were discussed, and the travel plan was covered.
- Interview and visa issuance: the Client traveled to the U.S. consular office in Poland, successfully passed the interview. After 2 business days of waiting, she received her passport with a 10-year U.S. visa.
Thanks to the professional work of immigration lawyer Yelyzaveta Mazur, the Client obtained a 10-year U.S. tourist visa. This case exemplifies the competence, responsible approach, and effective support of our lawyers, who help clients achieve positive results even in complex circumstances.
If you are planning a trip to the U.S., consult qualified specialists to increase your chances of obtaining a visa!
