Applicants submit a request to schedule an interview by email, fax, regular postcard (without an envelope), or telegram. Requests sent by email will be given higher priority when scheduling the interview.
The request must contain: the applicant's full name; date and place of birth; complete return address (with a five-digit postal code); desired interview date; planned date of travel to the United States; visa type for which the applicant will apply.
The request to schedule an interview should preferably be sent seven weeks before the desired interview date. A third party may also schedule an interview for the applicant, but in such a case the notification of the date and time of the interview may be sent to that party rather than to the applicant.
Send email requests to [email protected] (in English only, without attachments). Fax number: (044) 216-33-93. Address for postcards and telegrams: Interview Appointment Request, Consular Section, U.S. Embassy, 6 Mykoly Pymonenka Street, Kyiv, 01901.
What to Expect on the Day of the Interview
Applicants should appear at least 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time in order to pass through security. Applicants are allowed to enter the Consular Section only at the time of their visa interview. All applicants pay $100 for filing the application, and this amount is non-refundable. They are given an application form that they must fill out before entering the Consular Section. Each applicant must be prepared to discuss their ties outside the United States and the circumstances of their trip. A visa interview is an examination of facts related to the applicant's biography, intended to confirm and supplement the information provided in the application form.
Application Forms
Form DS-156 must be completed by all applicants applying for nonimmigrant visas to the United States.
Form DS-157 (supplemental) must be completed by every male aged 16 to 45 (except applicants applying for A, G, K, and NATO visas).
Form DS-158 (supplemental) must be completed by every applicant applying for an F, J, or M visa.
An applicant's ties to their country of permanent residence, as well as the purpose of the trip, are a personal matter and differ for each individual. It is the applicant's task to demonstrate the legitimacy of the trip and strong ties to the country of permanent residence, and it is in each applicant's interest to answer the form's questions truthfully and completely. Applicants are encouraged to bring all documents relevant to their case if they may be useful. In most cases, the submitted documents supplement the information provided in the form or discussed during the visa interview. Although applicants may bring all case-related documents to the interview, these documents are not a decisive factor in issuing a visa. What you need to bring with you to the visa interview A valid passport (the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the planned period of travel). A completed copy of each application form required for the visa type for which the applicant is applying. A photo for each applicant, including children. Application processing fee - $100 per applicant, including children. The Consular Section accepts only cash in U.S. dollars and does not accept checks, money orders, or credit cards.
During the interview, the following supporting documents must be provided (depending on visa type):
For a business visa (B-1 or B-1/B-2)
A detailed letter explaining the nature and purpose of the applicant's business in the United States and the relationship between the applicant and the inviting party is highly recommended.
For a tourist visa (B-2)
A detailed letter explaining the nature and purpose of the applicant's trip to the United States and the relationship between the applicant and the inviting party is highly recommended.
For a student visa (F) Form I-20 (original and copy). Documentation showing that payment for tuition and living expenses can be made. F-2 visa applicants must provide evidence of their relationship to the F-1 visa applicant or holder.
For a temporary work visa (H) An invitation letter describing the applicant's employment in the United States and documents demonstrating the employer's financial capability (preferred). A Form H petition approved by INS (original and copy required). A copy of the petition submitted to INS for approval (required). H-4 visa applicants must also provide evidence of their relationship to the H visa applicant or holder; documents on the visa holder's income (preferred).
For an exchange visa (J) Form DS-2019 (original and copy). An invitation letter explaining the nature of the program and how the applicant was selected to participate in it. J-2 visa applicants must also provide evidence of their relationship to the J-1 visa applicant or holder.
For a temporary work visa (L) An invitation letter describing the applicant's employment in the United States and documents demonstrating the petitioner's financial capability (preferred). A Form L petition approved by INS, together with an attestation letter (original and copy required). A copy of the petition submitted to INS for approval (required). Proof of employment for the last two years. L-2 visa applicants must provide proof of their relationship to the L visa applicant or visa holder; documents on the visa holder's income (preferred).
For the temporary work visa (P) A detailed letter explaining the nature and purpose of the applicant's business in the U.S. and the relationship between the applicant and the inviting party is highly advisable. Submit the petition on Form P, approved by INS, together with the letter (original and copy required). A copy of the petition filed with INS for approval (required). Applicants traveling as dependents of P visa holders must present evidence of their relationship to the applicant or visa holder, as well as the visa holder's income.
For the temporary religious worker visa (R) A detailed letter explaining the nature and purpose of the applicant's business in the U.S. Evidence that the applicant is qualified for the position he intends to fill. Confirmation of membership in a religious organization for at least the last two years. R-2 visa applicants must present confirmation of their relationship to R-1 visa applicants or the visa holder, as well as the R-1 visa holder's income.
Applicants traveling to the U.S. for medical treatment must provide Diagnosis from a Ukrainian doctor certifying the applicant's physical condition and the reason why this illness cannot be treated in Ukraine. A letter from an American doctor stating that he will treat the sick applicant and naming the cost of this. Evidence of funds to cover the treatment. Persons going to the U.S. for urgent medical treatment do not need to schedule an interview, but they must notify the consular section in advance so that their name is added to the list of persons scheduled for an interview.
Visa fees
Standard tourist and business visa (B) single-entry (valid for 6 months) - free, $65 for multiple-entry (valid for 5 years); for all other visa categories concerning Ukrainian citizens, no fee is required.
Immigrant visas and fiancé(e) visas, as well as refugee applications for permanent residence status in the U.S., are not processed in Kyiv. The regional office that handles immigrant visa applications is located at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw (Poland).
All applicants and their dependents, except those applying for H1B, L, O-1, and R visas, must overcome the presumption of immigrant intent automatically imposed on them by Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (1952). Under the law, an applicant may receive a visa only if the consular officer is convinced that: The applicant permanently resides outside the U.S. The applicant does not intend to permanently leave their place of permanent residence. The purpose of the trip corresponds to the visa type established by the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.
Proving that a person does not intend to permanently leave their country of residence can be done by demonstrating strong family, economic, and social ties to the country of residence. Even if the applicant provides evidence of such ties, the consular officer is required by law to deny the visa if there is suspicion that the applicant intends to sever these ties, that they are not genuine, that ties in the U.S. are stronger than in Ukraine, or that the purpose of the trip does not correspond to that nonimmigrant visa category. The burden of proof rests solely on the applicant, and a visa cannot be issued based on an affidavit, guarantees, or collateral from a third party on behalf of the applicant.
Simplified visa application procedure
The simplified U.S. visa application procedure (without an interview) may be used by: persons whose valid foreign passport contains at least one used U.S. nonimmigrant visa issued in Kyiv after January 1, 1997, and who have not been denied a subsequent visa for travel to the U.S.; the spouse and dependents (under 16 years of age) of a multiple-entry visa holder; a person who has a valid DS-2019 form for academic study or research activity; dependents listed on the DS-2019 form.
Persons applying for work visas cannot use the simplified visa procedure. Children under 16 are not required to be present at the interview if they are not going to the U.S. to study. However, in any case, both parents must come to the interview and bring their passports and the child's birth certificate. Exceptions to this rule are: 1) when both or one parent is in the U.S. (provide evidence); if a parent is in the U.S., they must provide a notarized power of attorney from a U.S. notary stating that they do not object to the child's travel to the U.S.; 2) both or one parent is deceased (provide evidence); 3) both or one parent has been deprived of parental rights, and a certificate to this effect can be provided.
The passport with the visa can be picked up after three working days (except the last working day of each month) from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM, after paying the visa fee if necessary.
If additional questions arise regarding the issuance of the visa (based on the submitted documents), the applicant will be scheduled for an interview. All applicants should be ready for an interview on the third working day. Applicants who qualify for visas under the simplified procedure are not required to use it.
How can a Ukrainian citizen reapply for a visa if they have been denied?
Most citizens are refused a visa under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which does not mean a final refusal. If during the next filing of documents the applicant can prove to the officer that he does not intend to leave his permanent residence outside the United States, using new evidence of strong ties that were not presented during the initial filing, or if his social, family or economic situation has changed such that his ties to his home country have strengthened, the applicant may be issued a visa.
Starting from October 4, 2002, the consular section no longer has a separate procedure for submitting documents for applicants who were recently refused a visa. Anyone can now apply again for an interview at any time, regardless of the outcome of the previous interview and the time that has passed since then. However, the general recommendation of the consular section of the U.S. Embassy is that refused applicants should wait 12 months if they cannot present any new information.
If an applicant was refused a visa not under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, he must be given a separate written explanation of the section of the Immigration and Nationality Act under which the visa was refused. This explanation contains instructions on further visa application procedures.