NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS
Visa Interview and Issuance Procedures
The procedures for acquiring a Non-Immigrant Visa to the United States are as follows:
1. Applicants schedule their appointment for a Non-Immigrant Visa interview through TT Services Lanka (TTS) in Colombo. The website for TTS is http://www.ttsusvisas.lk . Applicants may send in their applications, following the TTS instructions, in one of FIVE convenient methods: fax, email, mail/courier, online and in person at the TTS office. All inquiries regarding appointments and general visa matters must be directed to TTS. Applicants for A or G visas (government officials or travelers for certain international organizations) may follow different instructions by clicking here.
2. Applicants will arrive at the exact time listed on their TTS Confirmed Appointment receipt. Any applicant not arriving within 15 minutes of their interview time will have their appointment cancelled and must reapply for an appointment through TTS.
3. Applicants must bring the following items to the interview:
Bank draft for certified funds in the amount of $131 drawn on a U.S. bank or Rs.15,100.00 drawn on a Sri Lankan bank made out to “U.S. Embassy Colombo" for the non-refundable application fee. Please write your name and passport number on the bank draft. Applicants will not be allowed in the Embassy without their bank draft.
Note: All applicants who apply for a L1 (work) visa with a blanket L petition must pay an additional payment of $500 drawn on a U.S. bank or Rs. 57,500 drawn on a Sri Lankan bank made out to “US Embassy Colombo” as a non-refundable fee for the prevention of fraud.
A current passport valid for at least six months past the expected time of arrival in the U.S and any previous passports showing travel outside Sri Lanka;
Original signed DS-156 application form. This MUST be filled out online at http://evisaforms.state.gov/ and printed on white photocopy quality paper. In addition, males 18 to 45 years old must bring a completed DS-157 and temporary workers in the U.S. must bring a completed DS-158.
One 2"x2" genuine and recent (within the last six months) photograph of the applicant facing forward with ears showing, on white background. Non-compliant photographs, including digitally altered or airbrushed photographs will be rejected and the applicant will have to reapply;
Any required forms for the visa (I-20, DS-2019, I-797, etc.);
Any additional documentation they deem important to supporting their application. Please see "Required Supporting Documentation" below for more information;
Returning H1B and L1 visa applicants MUST have their most recent pay stub and their recent federal income tax returns;
Documents Applying for a Non-Immigrant visa is primarily an interview–based process. Documents which demonstrate that applicants are well established in their own country can, in some circumstances, help individuals demonstrate their intent to return to their home country after a short visit to the United States. Depending on the specifics of a case, an officer may or may not need to examine documents to determine eligibility. Following is a list of common documents an interviewing officer may ask for; however, having these documents does not guarantee an applicant will be issued a visa. Please do NOT mail or email us your documents. If you have a friend or relative that wants to write a letter for you or provide documents, they should give that documentation to you to bring with you on the day of your interview. Documents that are mailed to the Embassy will not be saved. Suggested Supporting Documentation