Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
---|---|---|---|
A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
B-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
C-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
C-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
E-2 2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
F-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
F-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
G-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
H-1B | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
H-1C | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
H-2A | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
H-2B | None | N/A | N/A 3 |
H-2R | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
H-3 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
H-4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months 3 |
I | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
L-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
L-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
M-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
M-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
N-8 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
N-9 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
O-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
O-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
O-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
P-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
P-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
P-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
P-4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
R-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
R-2 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
U-1 | None | Monthly | 48 Months |
U-2 | None | Monthly | 48 Months |
U-3 | None | Monthly | 48 Months |
U-4 | None | Monthly | 48 Months |
U-5 | None | Monthly | 48 Months |
V-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
V-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 8 |
V-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Available
Fees: Rs.100 per copy
Document Name: Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority: Divisional Secretariat
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Official Format with the official frank
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar of Birth and Death and Additional District Registrar
How to register:
Procedure for Obtaining: Birth certificates can be obtained from the Additional District Registrar office.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: If there is no record of the birth being registered, the Registrar’s office will issue a document confirming called “search record”, which is an acceptable document in lieu of a birth certificate.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: Rs. 100/-
Document Name: Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: Registrar of Birth and Death and Additional District Registrar
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Official Format with the official frank
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Birth and Death Registrar and Additional District Registrar
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Upon registration of the death and request to ADR
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: Rs. 1000
Document Name: Registrar of Marriages and Additional District Registrar
Issuing Authority: Registrar of Marriages and Additional District Registrar
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Official Format
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar of Marriages and Additional District Registrar
Registration Criteria:
Procedure for Obtaining: Upon registration and request to Additional District Registrar
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Muslim Marriages: The applicant must contact the Mosque in their neighborhood. The Imam will direct the applicant to the appropriate instructions.
Available
Document Name: “Muslim Divorce Certificate” for Muslim marriages
“Decree of Divorce” issued by a Court for other marriages
Fees: There is a nominal government levy to be paid to the Courts.
Document Name: Muslim Divorce Certificate and Decree of Divorce
Issuing Authority: Registrar Office of Muslim Marriages and Judge of District Court
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Official Format with the official frank
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar of Muslim Marriages and Registrar of District Court
Registration Criteria: The parties should submit their application in the relevant court
Procedure for Obtaining:
After the divorce decree is issued by the District Judge a certified copy of the decree can be obtained.
After the divorce is pronounced by the Quazi Court, a certificate can be obtained from the Quazi court for a Muslim Divorce.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: There is a nominal government levy to be paid to the Courts.
Document Name: Certificate of Adoption
Issuing Authority: District Court
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Official Format with the official frank
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Chief Magistrate
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Age of the adoptee child should not be more than 14 years. All the requirements listed by the Department of Probation and Childcare must be met by the prospective adoptive parents. Husband and wife should submit the application together. Order of adoption is issued by the District Court. This order should be registered at the Registrar General’s Department.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: Rs. 1000/ for one day service
Document Name: National Identity Card (NIC)
Issuing Authority: Department of Registration of Persons
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Commissioner General
Registration Criteria: Applicant should be 16 years old.
Procedure for Obtaining:
Certified Copies Available: There are no certified copies available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: Rs. 1000 only for those applying outside Sri Lanka
Document Name: Police Clearance Certificate
Issuing Authority: Police Headquarters, Colombo
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director Head Quarter Administration – Police Headquarters
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining:
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: There is a nominal government levy to be paid to the Courts.
Document Name: Court order / Prison record
Issuing Authority:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: The applicant should contact the relevant Prisons and the Court
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: There is a nominal government levy to be paid.
Document Name: Service Record
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Defence
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director Personnel of the relevant wing (Army, Airforce and Navy)
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Contact the office of Director Personnel of the relevant wing
Certified Copies Available: There are no certified copies available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Ordinary, Official, Diplomatic
Fees: Fee varies based on the categories. Minimum Rs. 1000/- and Maximum 10,000/-
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Controller General
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining:
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available.
Not applicable.
Post Title: US Embassy, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Address: 210, Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka
Phone Number: 94-2498500
Visa Services: Post Colombo processes Non-Immigrant Visas and immigrant Visas
Comments / Additional Information: None
Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan High Commissions
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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