Non-Immigrant Visas (NIV)

WHAT IS A NIV?

Non-immigrant visas are for international travelers temporarily visiting the United States for a wide variety of reasons, including tourism, business, medical treatment, cultural exchange, and certain types of temporary work. These visas allow you to travel to a United States port-of-entry and request permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer, to enter the United States.
Warning: A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States!

WHAT TYPE OF VISA DO I NEED?

The type of visa needed depends on the purpose of the intended travel. If, after his/her visa interview, an applicant qualifies, the Consular Officer will decide what kind of visa best fits the request.

Please click the appropriate link on the left navigation bar for more information on the most common visa types and related requirements. You can also visit the State Department’s website at Visa Types for Temporary Visitors for information on application and documentation requirements by visa classification.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A NIV?

1- Read the “NIV Application instructions” link on the left and prepare accordingly
2- Click on the following link, and, using the barcode number on your printed DS-156 visa application form (alphanumeric characters found either on page 1, just above the photo placement, or on page 3), schedule an appointment online.

Note: The Embassy is closed for Djiboutian and American holidays.

HOW FAST CAN I GET AN INTERVIEW?

Please see Visa Wait Times link for complete information.

HOW FAST CAN I GET MY VISA PROCESSED?

Information on visa processing time: the typical amount of time it takes to process a visa and return it to the applicant following an interview, and a determination by the consular officer that the visa will be issued, please see http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php

When to apply for a visa: we strongly encourage you to apply at least one or two months in advance of your anticipated travel.

Processing time disclaimer - Many additional factors, such as the need for special clearances, incomplete applications, and fraud investigations may influence the processing of individual visa cases. Note that the listed processing times are averages, and that the timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.

Information on timeframes for cases requiring administrative processing: please carefully read the following http://travel.state.gov/visa/a_zindex/a_zindex_4353.html

I HAVE AN EMERGENCY: CAN I GET AN EXPEDITED APPOINTMENT?

Applicants facing emergencies can request an expedited appointment, using our official email address consulardjibouti@state.gov or by calling the Consular section at (+253) 35-39-95 between 12:30 p.m. and 16:30 p.m. The following is a non-exhaustive list of such emergencies:
• Emergency medical treatment, as well as any persons traveling in support (such as parent caring for a child)
• Family emergency, such as death, severe or terminal illness
• Student and exchange visitor having a nearing reporting date for school and/or program
• Emergent business travel
• Other emergency (such as Appearance in a U.S. court)

CAN I TRAVEL WITHOUT A VISA?

Many citizens from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries can travel to the U.S. without a visa, if they meet certain requirements. Please read the information below.

- Visa Waiver Program (VWP) current biometric passport guidelines: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#11

- Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA): http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

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