Yes, with a valid visa and full vaccination, you are allowed to travel to the United States without any further visa processing. However, please note that you will be required to provide proof of your full vaccination. You can refer to the CDC website for a list of accepted COVID-19 vaccines at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html.

Additionally, starting from June 12, 2022, you are not required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding a U.S.-bound flight.

While the vaccination requirements stated in PP 10294 apply to most nonimmigrant travellers, there are some blanket exceptions. These exceptions include:

• Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel
• Children under 18 years of age
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age)
• Sea crew members travelling with a C-1/D nonimmigrant visa
• And others as listed on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html

Please note that travellers who fall under these exceptions may still be subject to more stringent testing and quarantine requirements. For further information, kindly review the CDC website.

In addition, very limited exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for travellers with urgent humanitarian needs. Please refer to the instructions provided below for more details.

You can check for appointment availability on the USTravelDocs.com website. Please note that while routine B1/B2 processing has resumed, there may be extended wait times due to high demand in all visa categories. If you have an urgent need to travel, you can follow the instructions provided at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/gm/gm-niv-emergencyappointment.html for emergency appointment requests.

No, there is no problem as long as the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection Immigration Officer at the port-of-entry admits you into the United States for a specific period of time. Your authorized period of stay will be noted on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94, also known as an Arrival/Departure Record. You can remain in the United States during your authorized period of stay, even if your visa expires during your time in the United States. It’s important to keep your admission stamp or paper Form I-94 inside your passport as it serves as the official record of your permission to be in the United States.

The fee that you paid is an application fee. Everyone who applies for a U.S. visa anywhere in the world must pay this fee, which covers the cost of processing your application. This fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you are issued a visa or not since your application was processed to a conclusion. As one example, if your application was refused under Section 214(b) and you choose to reapply for a visa, whether applying at the same embassy or elsewhere, you will be required to pay the visa application processing fee. See the Fees for Visa Services page for a list of fees.

Your friend, the visa applicant, should be contacted for information about their visa application status. According to U.S. law, specifically, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 222(f), visa records are confidential. Therefore, your friend should inquire at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad where they applied for necessary information about their visa application status. Due to the confidentiality of visa records, you will need to ask your friend directly whether a visa application was made, or if a visa was issued or denied.