How to get a non-immigrant USA visa in Podgorica, Montenegro (Guide to getting a B1/B2 visa)

31 Mar 2023

Author - Jonathan Howe

Planning a trip to the United States from Montenegro is slightly different from the others. The need for a U.S. visa further complicates travel plans to this attractive destination. However, if you are well-informed and prepared for this procedure, there is no reason to worry. The application procedure is more or less similar in all countries. Of course, we will try to make your task easier and therefore we offer you some tips for the most efficient way to the goal.

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(Read more about the different types of visas available for Montenegro)

Foreign nationals must have a U.S. visa to enter the United States. The obtained permit is placed in the passport, a travel document issued by the state of which the passenger has citizenship. If they meet certain conditions, some international travelers can enter the United States visa-free. Foreign nationals who are required to live in Montenegro have the right to apply for a US visa in Montenegro.  

It is important to note that a visa does not guarantee entry into the country. At the border crossing, the immigration officer decides whether the candidate who holds a permit is eligible to enter the United States. Candidates are supposed to plan their interview and trip as early as possible, fill out the application form in full so that all information is accurate, and be honest about the trip's purpose. It is also necessary to prepare well for the interview to make the statements as specific as possible. 
Depending on the purpose of your trip to the United States, you can apply for several categories of visas:

Non-immigrant visas

• Tourism and visits (visa category B-2)
• Studying or student exchange (J1)
• Temporary business or employment (visa category B-1)

Immigrant visas

• Immigrant based on family
• Fiancé(e) visas
• Diversity Visa Program
• Returning Resident Visa
• Employment-Based Immigration

1. Firstly, check the validity of your passport. It must be valid for at least six months from the start of your stay in the United States and have at least one blank page for the visa. (there should be another to seal when entering the country)
2. Complete the online form on the website.
3. After completing the form, you should upload your photo, a vital part of the application. To ensure your photo meets all the requirements, the use of a professional visa photo service would be the best. The photograph must have a very bright, preferably white, background, and you must not wear any glasses. The edges of the face and ears MUST be visible.
4. The candidates should schedule an appointment for the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where they live. They may schedule the consultation at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Still, they should be aware that it may be more challenging to qualify for a visa outside of the country of residence. Wait times for interview appointments vary by season, visa category, and location (waiting from a few days up to several months). To schedule an appointment for a non-immigrant (NIV) visa, visit the embassy's online appointment system. Have the DS-160 barcode form confirmation page handy. The website for the online interview's scheduling: evisaforms.state.gov
5. Print the application form confirmation page and bring it to your interview.
6. Once you get to that level and finally get to the interview, keep in mind that all you need is a passport, a confirmation page of the DS-160 barcode form, and a photo. Everything else, for example, a purse, a phone, and the like, is considered undesirable.
7. This type of visa is about 144 euros and is paid in person at the embassy on the scheduled interview day. Ensure you bring the correct amount to avoid the inconvenience of returning the change (credit cards are not accepted).

The person in charge of your application may request additional documentation. It often refers to evidence related to:

• financial possibilities to cover travel expenses
• intention to leave the United States after your trip
• purpose of travel

Because of a particular criminal conviction, you may be unfit to travel to America. Unfortunately, the only way to find out if this is the case is to apply for a visa. In any case, you need to bring the Certificate of Criminal Records for inspection when you come for a visa interview. There is a possibility that in case the verdict makes you unfit to travel, you will receive a one-time exemption from this rule. The exemption procedure lasts from six to eight months, so you need to start it on time. 

The questions from the interview are very individual. The information requested relates to your family, job, financial situation, or the origin of the money you plan to cover travel expenses. Don't be surprised by the questions. Expect it to be personal and try to be specific. No one can be sure whether you will get a visa or not. Indeed there are different experiences, and sometimes the outcome seems more like a lottery than a set of meaningful circumstances.

Calmness and a decent appearance are always desirable. It is advisable not to make final plans and buy plane tickets before obtaining a visa. The favourable circumstance of the whole procedure is that at the end of the interview, you find out directly whether you are a candidate for travel or not.
Two days after obtaining your visa, you can pick up your passport at the U.S. Embassy's reception desk in Podgorica - Monday through Friday at 2 p.m.

We hope that the procedure for obtaining a U.S. visa in Montenegro is more transparent now and that you will successfully take the first steps towards the land of the free.