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Non Immigrant Visas

The Embassy handles visa requests from citizens of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and other third country nationals resident in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, wishing to travel to the U.S. 

Nonimmigrant visas (NIVs) allow citizens of other countries to visit the U.S. for short periods of time. The "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2), or combination of both (B-1/B-2) purposes.  This category of visa is the most common.  For information on other types of non-immigrant visas, as well as entry procedures to the United States, please visit at http://travel.state.gov

Scheduling an Appointment

All appointment scheduling for visa interviews must be processed through TT Services in Colombo.  The TT Services website is http://www.ttsusvisas.lk .  Applicants for "A" (Sri Lankan/Maldivian government officials) or "G" (members of an international organization) visa can apply directly to the U.S. Embassy and should click here for more information. Furthermore, please bear in mind the hours of operation and the Embassy holiday schedule.

All appointments for a U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa are scheduled by TT Services (TTS) in Colombo.  There are five convenient ways to send in your request for an appointment:  via fax, email, mail/courier, online or in person at the TTS office.  Please connect to the TTS website at http://www.ttsusvisas.lk/ for all the information you need about scheduling your appointment for a visa interview.

Please note TT Services (TTS) is only responsible for scheduling appointments.  Interviews take place at the Embassy and applicants should bring their supporting documents to the U.S. Embassy only; TT Services will not accept any supporting documents.  Faxes and letters in support of specific applications MUST be sent to the applicant, not to our office or TTS.  We are unable to maintain files of such documents and they will be discarded upon receipt.

Visa Processing Time

While we strive to keep the waiting period for a visa interviews to a minimum, wait times vary depending on the time of year.  Please plan to apply for your visa well in advance of your trip and do not purchase tickets until you have your visa.  Emergency appointments will only be given in medical emergencies or similarly unforeseeable circumstances.

Most applicants receive their visas the day after their interview. However, certain cases may require additional processing, which could result in a delay of up to six weeks or more.

Visa Issuances

Once the decision has been made to issue a visa, the visa is normally ready for pick up one business day after the interview between 3pm and 4pm, except on Fridays, when they will be ready at 10:30am. Visas will not be issued the same day.

Applicants should bring the number that was given to them on the day of their interview to claim their visas.  If applying in a group or with family, only one person needs to come to pick up the visas.  Someone may pick the visa up on an applicant’s behalf if they have a signed letter from the applicant.  Everyone should bring their National Identity Card. 

Validity

Validity Periods for visas to the United States are determined on a reciprocal basis based on the periods given to Americans by the Sri Lankan government.  Currently, the longest validity for Sri Lankans for a U.S. visa is five years.  The consular officer is solely responsible for determining the validity of the visa at the time of the interview.

 

Please click on this link to view the current Reciprocity Schedule for U.S. visas issued to Sri Lankans. 

Visa Refusals

Most Non-Immigrant applications are refused under section 214(b) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act.  This section of law specifies that consular officers must presume that applicants for visas are intending to immigrate unless they can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the consular officer, that they have strong ties to a place of residence outside of the United States and that their travel will be consistent with their category of visa.

At the time of the interview, the officer may determine that the applicant does not qualify for a visa because they do not meet the requirements under U.S. law.  There is no appeal process for refused Non-Immigrant visa applicants. Applicants may choose to apply again and provide the consular officer with additional information that they deem necessary to explain the circumstances of this trip and their ties to Sri Lanka.

Visa Waiver Program

Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from the qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa if they meet the visa waiver program requirements. Please click here to view the requirements and countries eligible for the visa waiver program.