Visas

Non-Immigrant Visas

General Information

Customer Service

The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States.  We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known.  Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.  At U.S. Embassy Sarajevo, Consular officers and staff are committed to providing fair and respectful service to all visa applicants.  Your visa application will be given every consideration consistent with U.S. immigration law.

Location

All U.S. visas for residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina are processed at U.S. Embassy Sarajevo, at Alipasina 43 in the Ciglane part of Sarajevo.  Visa interviews are conducted by appointment only in the embassy’s Consular Section.  When you arrive for your visa interview, Embassy guards will direct you to the consular waiting room.

Steps for Getting a Visa

1. Get a PIN from any Raiffeisen bank; wait one business day for it to activate.
2. Call the Visa Information Service Call Center and schedule an appointment.
3. Prepare the application forms.  Pay the visa processing fee at Raiffeisen.  Get a photo.  Prepare your supporting documents.  Bring all of this to your interview.
4. Attend your scheduled interview.  A U.S. Consular Officer will determine if you are eligible for a visa.  If your visa is approved, you will leave your passport at the embassy and your passport with the visa will be ready the next business day at 16:00.
5. Pick up your passport and visa at the embassy.  Someone else can pick it up for you with your identity card or your receipt from Raiffeisen.
6. Enjoy your trip!

Visa Information Service

The Embassy of the United States in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina utilizes a Visa Information Service (VIS).  This is a call center that provides current and accurate information about applying for a non-immigrant visa and which can make an appointment for your visa interview. The service is based on similar models operating in more than 34 countries across Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. All visa applicants must use the call center to obtain visa information and to schedule interview appointments. Walk-in interviews at the Embassy are no longer available.

What the Visa Information Service can do:

Schedule appointments for nonimmigrant visas.
Answer caller’s questions on how to apply for non-immigrant visas.
Inform non-immigrant applicants about the types of visas available and the requirements for each type.

How to contact the Visa Information Service from Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) from any branch of Raiffeisen Bank for the KM equivalent of 13 USD.
Wait one business day after obtaining the PIN to call the visa information service at (387)33 295 375.
Applicants can make multiple calls on one PIN for up to 7 minutes.
The service is available to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Bosnian Holidays.
You may schedule up to 5 immediate family members on one call (examples: husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother and father)
If you hold a diplomatic passport or your travel will be funded by the U.S. government, please inform the operator at the beginning of your call.

The VIS PIN is non-refundable and in the event that it is lost or stolen, the applicant will need to obtain a new one. Please note that if the time allowed for the PIN runs out, the applicant must obtain a new PIN and call the service again.

What to bring to your interview:

The Visa Information Service will give you precise instructions on what to bring to your interview, depending on your circumstances and the category of visa for which you are applying.  The following items are generally required for all non-immigrant applicants:

Proof of payment of the visa processing fee of the KM equivalent of $131.  You can obtain this from any branch of Raiffeisen Bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This is a non-refundable processing fee that is required regardless of whether or not you are issued a visa. 
Appropriate visa application forms.  These must be filled out, printed and (if necessary) signed before the interview.  Submission of an incomplete or inaccurate form will jeopardize your consideration for a visa.  Visa forms are available at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html. 

Directions in Bosnian are available at:

• Bosnian guide to DS-156 form
• Bosnian guide to DS-157 form
  
• Your passport.

• A 5x5cm picture taken within the last 6 months in accordance with U.S. visa photo guidelines.  See http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html for complete instructions for the photo.
• Supporting documents to prove that you have compelling family, economic and social ties to Bosnia and Herzegovina -- ties which would compel you to return to Bosnia and Herzegovina upon completion of your temporary visit.

General Information

Presumption of Immigrant Intent.  According to U.S. Law, applicants for most classes of non-immigrant visas are considered to be intending immigrants until the applicant can convince the consular officer that they have compelling family, economic and social ties to Bosnia and Herzegovina – ties which would compel them to return to Bosnia and Herzegovina upon completion of their temporary visit to the United States.

Representatives from the State-Level Government and International Organizations on Official Travel.  If you are traveling on behalf of the State-level government of Bosnia and Herzegovina or an International Organization recognized by the U.S. (UN, World Bank, etc.), your visa will be processed through normal diplomatic procedures, and you do not have to pay the visa application fee or appear for a visa interview.

The Visa Information Service Call Center can answer most questions regarding your visa class, required documents, required fees, and preparation for the interview.  Procedures for contacting the Call Center are above.

Information on the Web.  Due to the volume of requests for information, it is not possible to respond to individual email inquiries other than congressional correspondence.

• For general information on U.S. visa policy and procedures, including information on student and work visas, please visit www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/index.html.
• For the State Department’s travel and visa information page, please visit www.travel.state.gov. 
• For information on temporary visitors and different visa classes, please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html.
• For visa forms, please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html.

• FAQs:  Also, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

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