Embassy of the United States

Tourists   
Business Travelers      
Medical Treatment      
Students and Exchange Visitors 
Temporary Workers  
Media and Journalists 
Crewmembers     
Diplomatic and Official Visas      

TOURISTS VISAS

Travelers who wish to visit the United States for pleasure may apply for a "tourist" visa.  The visa symbol is "B-2."  Failure to obtain a visa before traveling may result in being denied boarding by an airline.

The holder of a B-2 visa may undertake any one of the following activities:
Tourism
Visit friend/relatives
Undergo medical treatment
Participate in conventions, conferences or convocations of fraternal or social organizations
Amateur participation in musicals, sports, or similar events

To obtain a B-2 visa, you must show that:
You have strong ties to a residence in a foreign country to which you do not intend to abandon
Your trip to the United States will be for a definite temporary period and that you will return upon the conclusion of your visit
You have sufficient funds to cover the expenses of the visit and return passage.

There is no specific list of documents which must be submitted to prove each of these points.  As an example, however, to show residence in Zimbabwe, you must show that you have ties to this country.  Proof of employment, family ties or other connections, or home ownership will often satisfy this requirement.  Substantiating documents should be submitted with your application.  Old passports containing previous visas are also useful.

Note: The length of the visa does not equate to the length of stay.  When you enter the United States, you will be inspected by an officer of the Customs and Border Patrol (CPB), a division of the Department of Homeland Security.  The officer will determine the amount of time you will be permitted to remain in the U.S.  Extensions of stay will be approved only for unexpected or compelling humanitarian reasons.  The maximum extension period of stay for travelers entering with a B visa is 6 months.  For more information about Department of Homeland Security procedures, please visit the following link:

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/content_multi_image_0006.shtm

Application Procedures: Please see "How to Apply."

Due to security regulations, some applications may require additional clearance and longer processing.  Since the application process cannot be accelerated, please apply well in advance of your travel date, and do not purchase plane tickets until you have received your visa.  Applicants should refrain from calling the Embassy to inquire about the status of their application.  Visa applicants should never assume their application will be automatically approved.

BUSINESS TRAVELERS

Travelers wishing to visit the United States for business reasons that do not involve receiving salary or payment of any kind from a U.S. source may apply for a business visa. The visa symbol is "B-1".

Business travel generally means engaging in business activities other than the actual performance of labor. To work in the United States, you will need a visa specifically for that purpose. If you intend to work in the United States, please see the temporary workers visa category.

Travelers holding B-1 visas may travel to the U.S. for purposes such as to consult with business associates, negotiate a contract, buy goods or materials, participate in business or professional conventions or conferences, or attend trainings or meetings on behalf of a foreign employer. The traveler may not receive payment (except for incidental expenses) from a United States source while traveling on a B-1 visa.

Application Procedures:  For information on applying for this visa, please see "How to Apply."

Note: The length of the visa does not equate to the length of stay. When you enter the United States, you will be inspected by an officer of Customs and Border Patrol (CPB), a division of the Department of Homeland Security. The officer will determine the amount of time you will be permitted to remain in the U.S. Extensions of stay will be approved only for unexpected or compelling humanitarian reasons. The maximum extension period of stay for travelers entering with a B visa is 6 months. For more information about Department of Homeland Security procedures, http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/content_multi_image_0006.shtm

Due to security regulations, some applications may require additional clearance and longer processing.  Since the application process cannot be accelerated, please apply well in advance of your travel date, and do not purchase plane tickets until you have received your visa.  Applicants should refrain from calling the Embassy to inquire about the status of their application.  Visa applicants should never assume their application will be automatically approved.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

If you are seeking medical treatment in the United States, you will first need to show you meet the requirements of the tourist (B-2) visa category:
•      You have strong ties to a residence in a foreign country to which you do not intend to abandon

•      Your trip to the United States will be for a definite temporary period and that you will return upon the conclusion of your visit

•      You have sufficient funds to cover the expenses of the visit and return passage.

In addition, you will need to show credible information about your medical condition:
•       A letter or statement from a qualified health professional in
Zimbabwe attesting to the nature of your condition and the lack of adequate treatment in Zimbabwe and the greater Southern African region.
•       A letter from a medical facility in the United States acknowledging awareness of your condition and ability to administer appropriate treatment.
•       A breakdown of estimated costs and a timetable for the treatment.
•       Submit evidence that you, your family, or your friends have the financial resources necessary to pay for treatment.  Acceptable evidence could include one or more of the following:

•       A receipt for any pre-treatment deposit paid to the doctor or hospital of choice;
•       Proof of personal health insurance coverage;
•       Complete disclosure of all financial resources for the person or charitable organization funding the treatment. 
•       Disclosure for individuals must include, at a minimum, U.S. Income Tax Return records for the most recent year, W-2 statements from employers for the past 3 years, and current bank statements. 
•       Charitable organizations should provide IRS filings for the previous year, as well as evidence that the organization has sufficient funds to cover the treatment. 
•       The person(s)/organization providing financial assistance must also submit a notarized letter indicating their intention to bear all costs associated with your treatment.

STUDENTS AND EXCHANGE VISITORS

U.S. immigration law provides three nonimmigrant visa categories for study in the United States. The "F" visa is for academic studies, and the "M" visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies.  In order to obtain a student visa, you must first apply to and be accepted at a school in the U.S. Once you have been accepted, the school will forward you a form called the I-20 or I-20M, which must be presented at the time of the visa interview.

The "J" visa is for the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include students at all academic levels; trainees; teachers and research scholars; professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher learning; and international visitors coming for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills. At the interview, all J-1 applicants must present a DS-2019 form, issued by the cultural exchange program in the U.S.

In general, to obtain a visa to study in the United States, applicants must demonstrate:

•      The sole (not just "primary") purpose of their travel is to pursue a temporary program of study;
•      The ability and intention to be a full-time student in the United States;
•      Adequate funds to cover all tuition, living and anticipated incidental expenses without taking unauthorized employment;
•      Sufficiently strong social, economic, and other reasons to compel their departure from the United States upon completion of the projected program of study.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  You should never pay for fake documents (such as fake grade-books, transcripts, diplomas, business licenses, etc.) because consular officers and staff are trained to detect fake documents and may deny your application on this basis. Also, you should never trust anyone who claims they can guarantee you a visa if you pay for their coaching services. At the interview, you should be prepared to explain, in your own words, why YOU want to study in America, your intended study plan, and why you will return to Zimbabwe.

Please note: F-1 and M-1 students may apply for their student visas up to 120 days in advance of the start date for their course of study, as indicated on the Form I-20. Students must also be aware that immigration authorities in the United States will not admit initial or beginning students more than 30 days in advance of their start dates.

Continuing students may apply for a new visa at any time as long as they have been maintaining their student status and their SEVIS records are current. Continuing students may also enter the U.S. at any time before their classes start.  For more information on the visa process as well as general resources about the U.S. educational system, please refer to the links on the right-hand box.

TEMPORARY WORKERS

Persons going to the United States with the intention of working there temporarily require a non-immigrant work visa. Persons entering the United States on a visitor or business visa are not permitted to work.

The United States does not issue work visas for casual employment. In general, work visas are based on a specific offer of employment from a U.S. employer.  The most common categories of nonimmigrant work visas are:

•      Temporary Work Visa (H) - This visa is for prearranged professional or highly skilled employment for a temporary period, or to fill a temporary position for which there is a shortage of U.S. workers, or to receive training from an employer. The employment or training must be approved in advance by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States on the basis of an application filed by the prospective employer. For more information, please click here.

•      Intra-company Transferee Visa (L-1) - The visa allows a multinational business having offices in several countries to transfer managerial and executive personnel to the United States. The employer must first receive an approval from USCIS in the United States for the transfer of the employee before a visa application can be submitted. For more information, please click here.

Application Procedures: Applicants for petition-based visa categories are no longer required to bring Form I-797 Notice of Approval to the interview, but it is necessary to have the I-129 petition receipt number.  For information on applying for this visa, please see "How to Apply."

Due to security regulations, some applications may require additional clearance and longer processing.  Since the application process cannot be accelerated, please apply well in advance of your travel date, and do not purchase plane tickets until you have received your visa.  Applicants should refrain from calling the Embassy to inquire about the status of their application.  Visa applicants should never assume their application will be automatically approved.

MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

Foreign journalists and media representatives who will engage in information media activities in the United States must obtain a media (I) visa. Such activities cannot be conducted on B-1 visas. Those attempting to do so may be denied admission to the United States by immigration authorities at the port of entry.

Activities Which Qualify for a Media (I) Visa:

Under immigration law, media visas are for "representatives of the foreign media," including members of the press, radio, film, or print industries, whose activities are essential to the foreign media function, such as reporters, film crews, editors and persons in similar occupations.  The consular officer will determine whether or not an activity qualifies for the media visa. The activity must be essentially informational, and generally associated with the newsgathering process of reporting on actual current events.

Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly qualified to be issued a media visa. The following persons are examples of media personnel:

•      Primary employees of foreign information media engaged in filming a news event or documentary.
•      Media members engaged in the production or distribution of films will only qualify for a media visa if the material being filmed will be used to disseminate information or news. Additionally, the primary source and distribution of funding must be outside the United States.
•      Freelance journalists working under contract will qualify if they have a valid employment contract with a media organization. They must be working under contract on a product to be shown to a foreign audience that is not primarily intended for commercial entertainment or advertising.
•      Members of the sports media who are reporting on sports events to be shown to a foreign audience.
•      Employees of independent production companies holding credentials issued by a professional journalistic association.
•      Foreign journalists working for an overseas branch office or subsidiary of a U.S. network, newspaper or other media outlet if the journalist is going to the United States to report on U.S. events solely for a foreign audience and will continue to be paid by the foreign-based office.

As non-immigrants, applicants must also demonstrate that:

•      They will remain in the U.S. for a temporary and specific period.
•      They have evidence of funds to cover expenses in the U.S.
•      They possess evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad which will ensure their return at the end of the visit.

Activities Which Do Not Qualify for a Media (I) Visa:

While certain activities clearly qualify for an "I" visa as they are informational in content, many do not and must be considered in the full context of their particular case.  In making the determination as to whether or not an activity qualifies for a media visa, the consular officer will focus on two issues:

• Is the activity essentially informational?
• Is the activity generally associated with the news gathering process?

Some examples of activities that would not qualify, and would instead require the appropriate employment-based H, O, or P visa, are:
•      Filming material for commercial entertainment or advertising purposes.  A media visa cannot be used for employees to work on a film which will be used primarily for commercial entertainment or advertising purposes. A temporary worker visa is required.
•      Proofreaders, librarians, set designers and other media associated positions are not eligible for media visas and may qualify under another classification, such as an H, O or P visa.
•      Staged events, television and quiz shows.  Scripted and unscripted stories that involve contrived and staged events, such as television shows, reality shows and quiz shows, are not primarily informational and do not generally involve journalism. Similarly, documentaries involving staged recreations with actors are also not considered informational. Members of the team working on such productions will not qualify for a media visa.  Television, radio and film production companies may wish to seek expert counsel from an immigration attorney who specializes in media work for specific advice tailored to the current project.
•      Artistic media content production.  Media representatives who will travel to the U.S. in order to participate in the production of artistic media content (in which actors are used) will not qualify for a media visa. Television, radio and film production companies may wish to seek expert counsel from an immigration attorney who specializes in media work for specific advice tailored to the current project.

Spouses and Children:  Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal media visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay require media visas (derivative I visas).  The application procedure is the same as for a primary media visa applicant.  If the spouse and/or children apply for visas at a later date, a copy of the principal visa holder's media visa must be submitted with the application.

The spouse and/or children of a media visa holder may not work in the United States.  If employment is desired, the appropriate work visa will be required.  

The spouse and/or children of a media visa holder who are in the U.S. on a derivative I visa may study in the U.S. without also being required to apply for a student (F-1) visa.

Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for a visitor (B-2) visa.

Application Procedures: Please see "How to Apply."

Due to security regulations, some applications may require additional clearance and longer processing.  Since the application process cannot be accelerated, please apply well in advance of your travel date, and do not purchase plane tickets until you have received your visa.  Applicants should refrain from calling the Embassy to inquire about the status of their application.  Visa applicants should never assume their application will be automatically approved.

CREWMEMBERS VISAS

A crewperson working on an aircraft/vessel in the air/water of the U.S.; or traveling to the United States as a passenger to join a ship or aircraft requires a transit/crewmember visa.

Application Procedures:  Applicants should have an employment letter and any discharge or seamen's books that give a history of their time of service. For information on applying for this visa, please see "How to Apply."

DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL VISAS

The U.S. Embassy Consular Section accepts applications for diplomatic and official visas without appointment on Monday through Thursday from 13:00 to 16:00.  For urgent applications outside of these hours, please send a FAX to the Consular Section at 263-4-796488 or an email to consularharare@state.gov , and our staff will contact you to schedule a time to submit the visa application.  For diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe seeking a visa for non-official travel, please see "How to Apply."

In order to ensure timely issuance of diplomatic and official visas, applications should be submitted only by the Ministry or an organization's office of protocol in charge of visas.  In order for an applicant to be eligible for a diplomatic or official visa, the applicant must be traveling on official government business and be either a government official or an official staff member of an international organization.  For more information,click here.

All visa applicants must complete an Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) found at http://evisaforms.state.gov. The Embassy regrets that we cannot accept handwritten applications.  Please print the application, insure the bar code is included on page 3, and pay particular attention to the following points:

•      A full answer should be provided to each question on the application.

•      Each application form should be signed and dated by the applicant, and by the person who helped fill out the form if appropriate.

•      A frontal photograph of the applicant that is size 5 cm by 5 cm, taken with a white background, must be attached to each application.

•      The application must be submitted with a passport valid until at least the end of the projected stay in the United States.

•      Applications for official diplomatic travel must be submitted with a diplomatic note(s) referencing the names of all persons traveling.

Although it will not be necessary for anyone to appear personally, we request that all visa application forms and passports be submitted to the consular section at least one week before their planned departure, to ensure that visas are issued in a timely manner. 

Applications from international organizations should be accompanied by a letter or FAX directly to the Embassy Consular Section confirming the official request, sent by the organization's transportation office.

Diplomatic and official visas, other than for Zimbabwean government officials, will normally be available the day after the application is submitted.  In cases of urgent need, the Embassy will try, but cannot guarantee issuance on the same day.  Occasionally, applications require additional administrative processing.  Unfortunately, we cannot waive this requirement and processing can take up to one month.  As a result, we encourage all missions to submit application as soon as possible.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONAL EMPLOYEES of GOVERNMENT and INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS

In order to be eligible for a diplomatic or official visa, personal employees must be traveling to the U.S. to perform a specific job and must be capable of performing this job.   U.S. law requires that employers pay their personal employees a fair wage by U.S. standards.  In addition to the regular documents outlined above, applications for personal employees must also include a contract (in both English and a language understood by the employee) that demonstrates the employee will receive a fair wage, and that the employee understands his or her duties and rights.  The employee will have to make a personal appearance at the Embassy Consular Section.

NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DIPLOMATIC OR OFFICIAL VISAS

The following visa applicants are not eligible for diplomatic or official visas, and therefore must schedule an appointment for an interview with a U.S. consular officer:

•      Government officials traveling to the U.S. for any reason other than official government business.
•      Individuals traveling on an official government delegation to the U.S. who are not government employees.
•      Journalists traveling on an official government delegation.
•      Holders of official and diplomatic passports who are not government employees traveling on official government business.
•      Individuals who work for government institutions which are not governmental in nature and international organizations without U.S. membership.