USA

The United States of America (USA), is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.

My Trips

Since I was young, I had always dreamed of visiting the United States. In 2006, my dream became a reality when I traveled from Bangalore to Dallas, Texas for a work project. During my visit, I was able to explore some of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the world, as well as witness breathtaking landscapes. I found the people to be friendly and welcoming, making my experience unforgettable. Since my first trip, I have been fortunate enough to return to the US several times for various reasons, including business, training, and sightseeing. Each visit has allowed me to discover new aspects of this fascinating country.

• 2006 October 08 to 2007 October 14 (1 Year): Dallas
• 2009 February 08 to 2009 February 15 (1 Week): Los Angeles & Seattle
• 2012 April 14 to 2012 to April 20 (1 Week): San Francisco
• 2016 June 10 to 2016 June 17 (1 Week): New York
• 2018 April 27 to 2018 May 05 (1 Week): Austin
• 2022 November 11 to 2022 November 20 (1 Week): Miami, Orlando
• 2023 September 29 to 2023 October 08 (1 Week): San Francisco, Portland
• 2024 August 03 to 2024 August 19 (2 Weeks): Redomnd, Seattle, Portland, Alaska

Visited States/Cities/Attractions

1. Alaska (AK)
   • Anchorage (City, Earth Quake Park, Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Merril Field small plane airport)
   • Whittier (Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, The Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise)
   • Seward (Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier Wildlife Cruise through Resurrection Bay watching Holgate and Aialik glaciers)
   • Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Seaplane from Lake Hood, Bear View Boat Tour in Crescent Lake, Salmon lunch at Redoubt Mountain Lodge)
   • Palmer (Helicopter Glacier Tour from Knik River Lodge over Lake George Glacier and Knik Glacier with three landings on top)
   • Hatcher Pass (Independence Gold Mine Hike Tour)
2. Arizona (AZ)
   • Grand Canyon Village (Grand Canyon National Park)
3. California (CA)
   • Los Angeles (Holllywood Blvd, Kodak Dolby Theater, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame)
   • San Francisco (Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz Island, China Town, The Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Park, Bison Paddock, Baker Beach, Golden Gate Bridge, Battery Godfrey)
4. District of Columbia (DC)
   • Washington, D.C. (The White House, United States Capitol and Capitol Hill, The Lincoln Memorial, The Washington Monument, National Mall and Veterans Memorials, Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin)
5. Florida (FL)
   • Miami (Miami Beach)
   • Orlando (Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Studios Park, Universal Adventure Islands Park, Disney World Magic Kingdom, Disney World Animal Kingdom, NASA Kennedy Space Center)
   • Tampa (City)
6. Maryland (MD)
   • Ellicott City
7. Nevada (NV)
   • Las Vegas (Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead)
8. New Jersey (NJ)
   • New Jersey (Working Company)
   • Wayne
9. New York (NY)
   • New York (Niagra Waterfalls, Liberty Island, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Times Square, Wall Street, New York Stock Exchange, Charging Bull Statue, Central Park, One World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Staten Island 9/11 Memorial)
10. Oregon (OR)
    • Portland (Bridal Veil Historic Post Office , Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls, Bonneville Lock and Dam, Bonneville Fish Hatchery, Kelly's Brighton Marina (Crabbing), Hug Point Beach)
11. Pennsylvania (PA)
    • Philadelphia (Independence Hall)
12. Texas (TX)
    • Austin (Texas Capitol, Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, Statesman Bat Observation Center, Congressional avenue and 6th street, University of Texas, UT Tower, Zilker Botanical Garden, Barton Springs Pool, Barton Creek Square Mall, Zilker Brewing Company)
    • Commerce (Texas A & M University)
    • Dallas (Mustangs of Las Colinas, Pioneer Plaza Longhorns, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza, Addison Circle Park, Reunion Towers, Frontiers of Flight Museum)
    • Fort Worth (Fort Worth Stockyards)
    • Georgetown (The Inner Space Cavern)
    • Glen Rose (Fossil Rim Wildlife Center)
    • Houston (NASA Johnson Space Center)
    • San Antonio (San Antonio River Walk, SeaWorld San Antonio)
    • Tyler (Tyler Rose Garden)
13. Virginia (VA)
    • Falls Church
14. Washington (WA)
    • Bellevue
    • Everette (Boeing Everett Factory, Boeing Future of Flight​ Museum​)
    • Redomond (Microsoft HQ, Kirkland City Dock)
    • Seattle (Space Needle, Miners Landing, Bainbridge Island)
    • Tacoma (Working Company)
    • Whidbey Island (Cultus Bay, Deception Pass Bridges)

US Visa Application Procedure

Intro

• US Embassy in Qatar manages the visa applications through VFS starting 2025-Feb-09 where you can submit your passport and documents.
• Visa interview is not required if you were previously issued U.S. visa that is still valid or expired within the past 48 months, are younger than 14, or are older than 79.
• Embassy site: https://qa.usembassy.gov/visas/
• First, create an account and complete the DS-160 application form at https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/

• Next, create an account and pay and schedule an appointment with embassy or with VFS at: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/qa/en/ -> https://www.usvisascheduling.com/en-US/

• Visa Type: B Fee: $185 USD (675.25 QAR)

• If no interview, application can be submitted at:
  • VFS Qatar, Levels 1, Al Nuaimi Building, Oqba Ibn Nafie Street, Airport Road, Doha, Qatar Map
  • Mannai Travels Office, Sheraton Hotel, Al Corniche, Doha, Qatar (QAR 38) Map
  • Mannai Travels Office, Salwa Road, Doha, Qatar (QAR 38) Map

Steps

• Go to https://www.ustraveldocs.com/qa/en/ and find out the visa requirement and type of visa.
• The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for people traveling to the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Generally, the B-1 visa is for travelers consulting with business associates, attending scientific, educational, professional or business conventions/conferences, settling an estate or negotiating contracts. The B-2 visa is for travel that is recreational in nature, including tourism, visits with friends or relatives, medical treatment and activities of a fraternal, social or service nature. Often, the B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued as one visa: the B-1/B-2.
• Recent digital passport size photos are required to be submitted online. Take them from a studio and remember to get the soft copy in USA format. Test it at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html to make sure the format, size, etc are correct.
• Gather all required data:
  • Passport info
  • Travel itinerary for an upcoming US trip, hotel address, contact details in US, etc.
  • Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States, if you have previously travelled to the United States.
  • Your international travel history for the past five years (just the country names)
  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae - You may be required to provide information about your current and previous education and work history. Especially emplyment dates, supervisor details, education dates and details.
• Refer to your previous application form copy to make sure all data required is present.
• Start and complete the visa application online (DS-160) at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
  • Once started, it will create a provfile with an application number. Note down the application number, security questions and answers as you may have to save and re-login to complete the form.
  • There is a lot of questions to be answered and data to be provided. It is possible to save whatever data we already entered and then come back to it later.
  • After completing the form, the final step will show a review. Take printout of the completed form and save as PDF for referring later.
  • Next page will display a confirmation. Take a printout of this and save as PDF. This is required for visa interview and the Confirmation number is required for paying fees.
  • If there are dependents, look for another button to add dependent application. It will start a new application linked to the first. Complete the application for dependents as well if applying visas together (Separate application for each passport)
• Now go to https://www.ustraveldocs.com/qa/en/ and click on "Visa Login" to create a new profile at https://www.usvisascheduling.com/en-US/.
  • The primary applicant data need to match with those filled in the application above. Provide the application number from DS-160 and other required details.
  • After, add any dependents and provide their DS-160 application numbers and details.
  • Once you answer the questions there, you will will know if you are eligible for interview waiver. If not, you can schedule interview there. On the interview date, go to the embassy with all documents.
  • If yes, you can go to the final step of payment. You can choose to pay online or pay at the collection center. It is better to pay online as collection centers may need exact changes.
  • You can also choose a document submission location (VFS Main office, Mannai Salwa Road, Mannai Sheraton). Mannai offices need additional payment and they were having issues with their systems when I tried in 2025.
  • Once all data is provided, print out the Interview Waiver form contianing details of all applicants including dependents.

Documents to submit (Interview Waiver)

• Note that, if there is no interview, most of the supporting documents are not needed.
• All the below items need to be submitted at the VFS or Mannai office. If the location is Mannai, carry exact change for their service fee as well. Once everything is submitted, they will issue a receipt.
  • Interview Waiver Form with all applicant details including dependents.
  • DS-160 Application Confirmation page.
  • Passport size photo one copy.
  • Original Current Passport.
  • All original previous passports for travel history and with US visas.
  • Original Qatar ID of primary applicant
  • Qatar ID copies of all (Extra copies of parents needed to added with kids)
  • Passport copies of all (Extra copies of parents needed to added with kids)
  • Previous US visa copies of all

Documents to submit (Embassy Interview)

• Original Current Passport
• All original previous passports for travel history
• Document checklist (downloaded after filling application). Sign in only at the appointment.
• Filled Application form (downloaded after filling application)
• Visit day plans document (a single page document detailing all travel days and the plans for those days)
• Air ticket copy
• Hotel booking copy
• Conference invitation letter (Contact the conference team to get it by email)
• Conference schedule (get from conference site)
• Training approval emails and travel request signed copies from QF
• QF Letter to the UK Ambassodor with my position and salary details (get it from ERP)
• Last 3 months payslips
• Last 3 months bank statements
• Rental agreement copy
• My current passport copy
• My old passport copies
• My Qatar ID copy
• Marriage certificate copy
• Wife Passport copy
• Wife Qatar ID copy
• Kid Passport copy
• Kid Qatar ID copy
• Letter from kids school stating he is a student there.

Tracking and Collection

• Once the passports are submitted at embassy or VFS office, wait for three business days
• Track the status at: https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx
• Phone: 44231248
• Email: SUPPORT-QATAR@USVISASCHEDULING.COM
• They say it will take 20 business days to deliver back the passports, but usually it happens within one week or 10 days.
• An email and SMS will come to notify when the passports are ready for collection. VFS also may call you at your mobile.
• Go to the VFS office with Qatar ID to collect the passport. For dependent kids, you need their Qatar ID copy. For spouse, you need them with you or their authorization letter and signed Qatar ID copy.