Important Visa Information

Overview

The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas to the United States are processed for citizens and residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo.

To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen seeking to immigrate generally must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident immediate relative(s), or prospective U.S. employer, and have an approved petition before applying for an immigrant visa. The sponsor begins the process by filing a petition on the foreign citizen’s behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may wish to review our Directory of Visa Categories to learn about the different types of immigrant visas to the United States, including our Diversity Visa Program. Then, follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process, or on the Diversity Visa Process, on usvisas.state.gov to begin applying for an immigrant visa.

Once USCIS has approved your petition and you have completed pre-processing with the National Visa Center (NVC), or if you have been selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery and completed processing with the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), review the instructions given to you by the NVC or the KCC, along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Immigrant Visas

Nonimmigrant Visas

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nonimmigrant Visas
- List of all Visas

Payment Methods & Details

Please visit our Global Support Services (GSS) website for complete information on applying for a U.S. visa. This site has Nonimmigrant Visa information–including information on the different Nonimmigrant Visa Categories and General Fee Information–as well as Immigrant Visa information including how to register for your appointment.

Appointments & Locations

All U.S. visas for residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina are processed at U.S. Embassy Sarajevo, at 1 Robert C. Frasure Street. 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.

Please visit the GSS Contact Us page for full information or use contact information below:

Address: U.S. Embassy Consular Section 1 Robert C. Frasure Street 71000 Sarajevo
Phone: +387 33 943-955 (For all Visa inquiries); +1 703-520-2499 (for Callers in the United States).
Email: SarajevoVisas@state.gov (All Visa related matters) and SarajevoACS@state.gov (American Citizen Services)
Skype: To use Skype to speak to a customer service representative during regular hours of operation, add a new contact with the Skype name usvisabosnia.
Website: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ba/niv

Learn more about the interview process.

Interview Waiver Program

Applicants renewing a full validity visa in one of the following categories:  B1/B2, C1/D, E, F, H1B, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q, R whose visa is either still valid or expired not more than 48 months ago, are entitled to apply for a visa without an interview (interview waiver program). Additionally, applicants who are under the age of 14 and whose both parents/guardians also possess U.S. B1/B2 visas, and applicants over the age of 79 may apply for a B1/B2 visa via the Interview Waiver Program.

To apply for a nonimmigrant visa, please visit Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service and see Visa Appointment Service – Frequently Asked Questions)

What does full validity mean?

To be eligible for interview waiver your last U.S. visa should be full validity. For example, B1/B2 full validity is 10 years, and C1/D full validity is one year.

For a full list of visa validity periods for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, check Travel.State.Gov.

Please note:

The estimated time between sending in your passport until it returns to you is six weeks.
Only send in your passport once you have sufficient time to wait for processing.
For minors under the age of 14, applicants must send in a photocopy of both parents/guardian’s U.S. visas with the application.
Participation in the interview waiver program does not guarantee visa issuance.
If the consular officer has questions for you, we will call you in for an interview.
Do not buy a ticket or make firm travel plans until you have your renewed visa in hand.

Applicants should only mail the required documents, specified below. You may need to mail specific supporting documents depending on visa classification such as I-20 for F, M and DS-2019 for J visas. Please refer below. Note: other documents will not be returned and will be destroyed.

All applicants:

Passport
DS-160 confirmation page
Previous passport with U.S. visa (original, not photographed pages)
One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is no longer allowed in new visa photos; see photo requirements here.

Applicants under the age of 14:

Passport
DS-160 confirmation page
One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is no longer allowed in new visa photos; see photo requirements here.
Copy of parents’ valid U.S. B1/B2 visa(s)
Previous passport with U.S. visa (if applicable)

Applicants over the age of 79:

Passport
DS-160 confirmation page
One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is no longer allowed in new visa photos; see photo requirements here.

Tips to make your trip to the Embassy easy and fast:

Only applicants with scheduled appointments can come into the Embassy. Children under 18 years of age may be accompanied by a parent or guardian and assistants may accompany the disabled.
Arrive approximately 15 minutes before the time on your appointment confirmation.
Please limit what you bring to the Embassy because we have limited storage space. We cannot store the following items, which we recommend you leave at home:
- Weapons or tools
- Large electronic items, such as laptops or larger
You can’t bring large backpacks or electronic equipment (e.g., cell phones, etc.) into the Embassy. Be prepared with the information and papers you need for your appointment.
Most trips to the Consular Section require less than 30 minutes.
There is no parking available at the Embassy. There are a number of commercial facilities around the Embassy.
You don’t need an appointment to pick up your new passport or Report of Birth Abroad.
If you only need information, we highly recommend that you contact us by email (SarajevoVisas@state.gov for all inquiries related to a visa, SarajevoACS@state.gov for all inquiries related to U.S. Citizen Services.)
Bring enough money for your appointment. You can pay for all services, except for nonimmigrant visas, with a credit card. And we accept U.S. dollars or Bosnian marks for all services!
Before your appointment, take one last look at the required documents for your service. We love to finish your service after just one trip!

Courier Service

Mailing in your visa application/Receiving your passport

You will need to visit DHL office to arrange shipment of your visa application/delivery of your passport at the price of 25.00 KM per shipment.

Members of a family living in the same household may send their visa applications/receive their passports in one shipment at the price of 25.00 KM.

Locations of DHL offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

DHL Sarajevo

Rajlovačka cesta bb
71000 Sarajevo
working hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 – 18:00

DHL Mostar

Dr Ante Starčevića bb
8800 Mostar
Radno vrijeme:
Ponedjeljak-petak 8:00 – 16:00

DHL Banja Luka

Bulevar Desanke Maksimović 18
78000 Banja Luka
working hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 – 16:00

DHL Tuzla

Miška Jovanovića bb, prostor br. 7
75000 Tuzla
working hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 – 16:00

SUMMER WORK AND TRAVEL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The Summer Work Travel SWT Program provides university students with an opportunity to study and travel throughout the U.S. during their summer vacation. The SWT program is also an exciting opportunity to learn more about American culture, improve English language skills, and gain marketable job skills. SWT is incredibly popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and thousands of students from Bosnia and Herzegovina have participated over the past several years. It is also a great way to see the U.S. – in the past, students have worked in hotels, restaurants, and national parks in locations like Lake Placid; Martha’s Vineyard; and even Denali National Park in Alaska!

What are the Requirements?

Participants in the program must be post-secondary school students in an educational institution outside the United States who have completed at least one semester or equivalent of post-secondary academic study.
Additionally, they must possess sufficient proficiency in English and must be pre-placed in a job prior to entry. U.S.-based exchange visitor sponsors will issue form DS-2019 once they accept applicants into their program.
Participants are allowed to work up to four months during the period May 28 – October 01 and are generally allowed a grace period (usually 30 days) to travel in the United States after the end of the exchange program.

To learn more about the SWT Program, please visit BridgeUSA website.

SWT Program Agencies in BIH

Throughout the year, SWT Program sponsors work with SWT Program agencies in BiH to facilitate student participation. A complete list of official SWT Program agencies in BiH are located here and is subject to change.

Guidelines on How to Apply for SWT:

Applicants can apply directly to a SWT Program agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina, starting in the fall.
Agency representatives schedule visa interviews through the U.S. Embassy, typically from March to May.
Prepare for the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy.
Students must possess several documents prior to the interview:
- Completed DS-160 (online application);
- Proof of SEVIS fee payment;
- Original DS-2019; and
- Proof of active student status.

Know Your Rights

All program participants must read and understand the Wilberforce Act pamphlet, which explains the rights they have while in the United States. During the visa interview, the Consular Officer will verify that applicants know and understand their rights under the Wilberforce Act.

Visit the U.S. Department of State website to view frequently asked questions and other additional detailed information about the program.

Ask a Consular Officer

I’d like to visit the U.S. for the first time. How do I apply for a tourism visa and what should I bring to my appointment?

“Ask a Consular Officer” Video Series:

Reasonable Accommodation

If you need reasonable accommodation for your appointment, we encourage you to request your accommodation immediately once you schedule your appointment. We make every effort to provide accommodations to persons with disabilities and medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations vary, depending on the situation and the person’s needs.
Examples of accommodations include, but are not limited to:

- If you require a private appointment due to a medical condition or disability, we may schedule an alternative time for you to come in for your interview.
- If you or your child has special needs that requires a private appointment in a quiet space without distractions, we may schedule an alternative time for you or your family to come in for your interview.
- If you are unable to speak, you may be allowed to respond to questions in an agreed-upon nonverbal manner such as using pen and paper.
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may bring a sign language interpreter to translate during the interview if needed.
- If you have low vision, we may provide you with communications in large print.

If you are unable to provide fingerprints because of a medical condition, including birth defects, physical deformities, skin conditions, you may qualify for a fingerprint waiver for certain fingers.

Interview waivers are only granted in extreme situations, such as having a medical condition that requires flying in an air ambulance.

The waiting room of the Consular Section and its restroom is wheelchair-accessible.

Emergency Assistance

U.S. Citizens with Emergencies

Please call: +387 33 704 000

Outside of Office Hours, contact: +387 33 704 000

Outside of Bosnia-Herzegovina: +387 33 704 000

Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance

U.S. Embassy in Bosnia
and Herzegovina