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USA Visa for Children and Minors Application Guide
If you are traveling to the United States, you must apply for a visa. There are many different types of travel authorization, depending on what the purpose of your travel is to the US. Children and minors under 14 must also apply for a visa like any other person. Even though the rules and regulations regarding the children’s visa application process are not as strict or as difficult, there are specific guidelines you need to follow to acquire the Visa successfully.
Our website offers a comprehensive application guide for US visas for Children and Minors. The application procedure can sometimes become complicated. That is why it is essential to have proper guidance so that your Visa application has a higher chance of being approved.
USA Visa Requirements for Children and Minors
Children and minors under 14 do not need to undergo the same application procedures as people who have surpassed the indicated period. For example, Interviews are not required for children. As you may already know, having a successful interview and answering the questions correctly and truthfully is an integral part of the visa application procedure, but this is not the case for children.
Parents and legal guardians may apply for their children below 14. However, they must bring the application with them to the interview. Parents should include their children’s information as “Dependent” when scheduling an appointment. To learn more about visa applications, please visit Apply for Visa.
Note: Parents of minor applicants might be asked to attend an in-person interview, if necessary.
IMPORTANT: If you are a citizen of one of the 41 Visa Waiver Countries (list of countries), you may qualify to enter the United States for up to 90 days visa-free. Download the “Visa Waiver Program Application Guide” for more information on how to start your application immediately. Most applicants receive their online Visa Waiver Confirmation within 5 minutes.
How to apply Children and Minors for a Visa
Step 1 – Complete the DS-160 form
The first step of acquiring a visa for your children is completing the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Electronic Form (DS-160). The form must be completed by the parent or a legal guardian of the minor trying to enter the borders of the United States.
Step 2 – Cover the fee.
There are countless third-party and governmental websites that offer either Visa assistance or just an application form you can fill out. Be sure to check the validity and integrity of the third-party websites if you are planning to use one, as several fraudulent websites mimic others. We are a trusted immigration website and provide a secure visa assistance service to solidify your success in acquiring a visa to the United States.
Step 3 – Schedule an Interview
Make an appointment. Answer the interview questions online. If you are eligible for a visa, you can print the “Child Visa Drop Off cover letter,” which you will attach to your visa application.
You will need the following documents: - Your passport number
- The Bank receipt number.
- The ten (10) digits of your confirmation page for DS-160 start with the letters AA.
- Drop-off Cover Sheet for Child Visa
- Have a passport for your child
- If the child has a valid US Visa and their passport is not valid, please submit it.
- Photo of a child (5x5cm) with open eyes (if uploaded to DS160). Photos must be a.jpg files between 600x600 pixels or 1200x1200pixels, less than 240kb, and not digitally altered
- Completed DS-160 form
- Certificate of birth
- At least one parent's passport and a valid visa copy for the other parent. Parents should not allow children under 14 years old to interview for visas. Parents should consider the interview waiver option if at least one parent is a legal resident.
- If one parent of the children are US citizen, please give all dates of physical presence in America and a copy of the Consular Report of Birth (CRBA)
- Students' children (F2/J2): A copy I-20 for the student.
Additional Information
Under 14-year-old applicants do not have to appear at a visa interview. Their parents may apply for Under-14-year-olds, but the applicant must present their application to the interviewer. When scheduling an appointment, children’s information must be listed as “Dependent.”
With very few exceptions, children born in the US are US citizens and, therefore, would not be eligible to apply for a visa. Children born to US citizens may be eligible to become citizens through the Report of Birth Abroad process. We encourage parents to use it.
Documentation about parents' visa status
If Both parents are not U.S. citizens
- Copies of biographic pages from both parents' passports.
- Both parents must have copies of their U.S. visas.
- A copy of the U.S. passport of the person traveling with the child is required.
If Both parents are not U.S. citizens
- Copies of the biographic pages from both parents' passports and a copy of the U.S. visa of the foreign parent.
One of the following:
- Notification of appointment for USCIS naturalization (N600K).
- Statement of the U.S. citizen parent, including the place of birth, explaining how they were granted U.S. citizenship, and describing any time spent in the United States.
If Both Parents Are U.S. citizens:
- Copies of biographic pages from both parents' passports.
One of the following:
- Notice from USCIS regarding naturalization (N-600K).
- Statements from both parents (including place of birth) explaining how they were granted U.S. citizenship. Also, a description of any time either parent lived in the United States.