How to Apply for a US B1/B2 Visa from Outside Your Home Country

If you’ve tried applying for a US tourist visa in India, you know the wait times can be frustrating – around one year just to get an appointment!

But there’s a way to speed things up: If you’re already planning an international trip, you can apply from another country.

I recently applied for and received my US visa from the US embassy in Estonia during my trip to Europe. Here’s everything you need to know about the process.

Is it allowed?

Yes, it’s allowed!

This method has been around for a while but became more popular after COVID. Even the US embassy in India have suggested applying from other countries to deal with the high demand.

Where to Apply?

The best place to apply depends on appointment wait times. You can check the US Global Wait Times online, but remember, wait times for non-residents might be different. Some popular locations to apply for US Visa:

• Asia: Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
• Europe: Estonia, Poland

Note that in Asia you might need to pay visa fees in person, but in Europe, you can usually pay online.

How to Apply?

1. Fill Out the DS-160 Form:
   Choose your preferred location and complete the form online. You can find step-by-step guides on the internet.
2. Book an Appointment:
   Use the specific portal for the location you’re applying from. It can be a bit tricky since there are different portals for different places, but just follow the instructions, and you’ll be fine.

The overall process is simple but definitely not user-friendly. For instance, I spent about an hour trying to complete the application, only to realize that Chrome (on Mac) wasn’t supported. I had to switch to Firefox to proceed.

My Experience

I was in Europe for about a month this year, so I decided to apply for US Visa from Tallinn, Estonia. Here’s how it went:

Application: Completing the DS-160 form took about three hours. Ideally, it should take about 90 minutes, but I had to refer to documents like college attendance dates, which slowed me down.

Appointment: I secured an appointment at the US Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia, within one week.

Interview: I arrived at the embassy a few minutes before my scheduled time. After clearing airport-style security, I waited in the hall with a few other applicants.

The interview process had three steps:

1. Passport & appointment slip submission
2. Fingerprint collection
3. The actual interview

Interestingly, my interview was conducted at the fingerprint collection area itself, likely due to the small number of applicants that day.

The officer conducting the interview was calm, and composed, and spoke with a clear accent. I was asked about:

• Basic profile info as already mentioned on the application
• When I came to Tallinn/Europe and if I came just for the Visa.
• My travel history (I had visited 10+ countries in the last five years by then)
• Whether I planned to visit relatives in the US

The interview lasted about five minutes, after which the officer spent a few more minutes typing notes. Finally, the officer informed me that my visa was approved and handed me a slip stating I could collect my passport the next day.

Overall Timeline: It took about 10 days from the application to receiving my visa. However, the timeline can vary based on appointment availability – someone I know got everything done in 4 days as well.

Things to note

• Choose Early Week Appointments: Avoid delays caused by weekends in case processing takes longer than expected.
• Electronics: Mobile phones weren’t allowed in the building. I stayed at the Movenpick Hotel, a five-minute walk from the embassy, which made this convenient.
• Photo Requirements: Some embassies require a digital photo. I uploaded one during the application and carried a physical backup, though it wasn’t needed.
• Purpose of Travel: Embassies may not encourage applicants to visit a foreign country solely for the visa. It’s better to apply while on a planned trip.

Is it worth it?

It depends on your profile.

If someone hasn’t traveled much and is visiting a foreign country solely for a visa, it could increase the chances of rejection. There are numerous reports of rejections in both European and Asian countries.

However, if you have a decent travel history and are applying for the visa as part of a planned trip, applying in a foreign country could be one of the fastest ways to get a US visa – provided your profile is strong enough.

Alternative: You can still get an appointment in India in under three months if you frequently check availability or use services to help secure earlier slots. Some people manage appointments in as little as two weeks.

US Immigration

Assuming you got the US visa, what’s next? US Immigration.

Generally speaking, getting a visa alone doesn’t guarantee entry into the US. This applies to all countries but US immigration is notoriously strict compared to other countries.

When I was back from my Europe trip last month, I met a traveler who was returning from New York. He mentioned that he faces at least 15 minutes of questioning during pre-clearance at Abu Dhabi every time he travels to US – despite flying first class with his family.

So if your socio-economic profile is weak or you’re visiting the US for the first time or if US security system thinks you’re a risky profile for whatever reason, prepare for detailed checks or interviews.

Bottomline

Since it takes a long time to get a US B1/B2 visa in India, booking an appointment in a foreign country while traveling internationally can be a great way to speed up the process. However, it comes with its own challenges and additional travel expenses.

Beyond the visa process, Estonia is a beautiful destination worth visiting, especially if you appreciate a calm and serene atmosphere.

Imagine a place where young children can walk to school independently and a government that allows its citizens to vote online. These are just some of the incredible things Estonia offers – it truly deserves a dedicated article someday!

Have you applied for US Visa from a foreign country? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.