US B1/B2 Visa Renewal for Serbian Citizens

The journey of renewing your B1/B2 Visa as a Serbian might seem like a complex task at first. However, our aim is to simplify it for you. Keeping your visa current is vital for your forthcoming trips to the United States, whether it’s a vacation or business-related.

In this guide, we aim to demystify the online visa renewal application process for non-immigrant visas. We cover the full spectrum of essentials - from who can apply to what documents you need (e.g. birth certificate), and also provide insightful advice to help you progress through the process with ease.

We’ll also help you find out if you qualify for an interview waiver. If you fit the criteria and have the required documents, you can avoid the hassle of a face-to-face interview at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, thus making your renewal process a breeze.

Ready to dive in? If you're new to this process, we recommend you check out our iVisa mobile app for additional information and the application form. We're here to guide you every step of the way.

U.S. Visa renewal process: How to renew a U.S. Visa in Serbia

As a Serbian citizen planning to venture on a business trip or take a vacation to the United States, holding an active nonimmigrant visa is mandatory. If your visa has either expired or is nearing its expiry, you're required to take steps toward US B1/B2 Visa renewal in Serbia.

There's no need to worry if your visa expired in the last 4 years or is due to expire in the coming three months. We can help you apply for a visa renewal right from the comfort of your home.

Here's a quick overview of the renewal application procedure:

1. Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application form (the DS-160 form) with your personal details through our online portal. Ensure that all your inputted information is correct.

2. Pay the visa renewal fee using a debit or credit card or even PayPal.

3. Schedule an appointment date for your visa renewal interview. If you use our online visa service to renew your B1/B2 Visa, not only will we book an appointment time for you but we’ll help you prepare and let you know if additional documentation is required.

4. Attend your visa interview at the U.S. embassy. A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a nonimmigrant visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the visa.

Requirements for U.S. B1/B2 Visa renewal in Serbia

For the successful renewal of your U.S. B1/B2 Visa as a Serbian citizen, it's essential to meet the following criteria:

• The visa category of your most recent visa must be identical to the one you're currently applying for. For example, if you were previously granted a B1/B2 Visa, you can’t seek to renew an immigrant visa.

• Your most recent visa must have been issued in Serbia and should either still be valid, have expired within the past 48 months, or is set to expire within the upcoming three months.

• You need to have the previous passports that bear visas and the passport with your most recent visa at hand. If your passport was renewed after your last visa was issued, both your old and new passports will be needed.

• You should have no instances of unauthorized work or staying longer than permitted during your previous trips to the States.

• Your record should be clean, with no arrests or convictions tied to any unlawful activities in the United States.

By applying online with us, we guarantee you a guided walkthrough of every stage of the application process, a comprehensive checklist of the necessary paperwork, and a seamless appointment scheduling experience.

Documents required for the renewal of the American visa in Serbia

In order to renew non-immigrant visas in Serbia, it's necessary to have the following required documents:

1. Confirmation page of the DS-160 form showing your unique barcode. Get a streamlined version of the form on our website.

2. A photograph that must be taken as per the image requirements laid out by the U.S. Government. We’ve made the process simple with our online photo service and you can get a photo in line with the U.S. passport photo specifications in no time.

3. Proof of payment of the visa renewal fees.

4. A passport that will be valid for at least half a year beyond your intended duration of stay in the U.S.

5. A valid or expired B1/B2 Visa in your passport, even if it is not your most recent one.

6. Documentation showing intent to return home which indicate you have strong ties to Serbia. This could be an employment contract, paperwork showing you own a home, or factual details about family members, like a marriage certificate.

Obtaining an appointment for visa renewal in Serbia

A special provision called an interview waiver may allow certain visa applicants to skip the standard face-to-face interview during the B1/B2 Visa renewal process. We will elaborate further on this below.

Should you be found ineligible for the interview waiver program, you will need to reserve an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade using their official website. But, we take care of this step for you when you renew your nonimmigrant visa online with us.

U.S. Visa renewal fee: Cost of renewal of the American visa in Serbia

Renewing your U.S. B1/B2 Visa requires a mandatory government fee of $185.

In exchange for an additional processing fee of USD $199.99, we will make your visa renewal process less stressful and increase your chances of approval.

• When you use our online platform to renew non-immigrant visas in Serbia, we guarantee a user-friendly application process. We know that dealing with forms can be stressful, so we've made our DS-160 form as simple as possible. This saves you time and makes the process less complicated.

• Our website has a feature that allows you to save your progress so that you can stop and start your application as needed.

• We will provide you with a comprehensive guidebook providing advice on how to answer difficult questions, detailing the paperwork you need, and breaking down the entire process into manageable steps.

• Our team of iVisa Experts will review your visa application to confirm it aligns with all the guidelines set by the U.S. Government.

You can also carry out your visa application with the iVisa mobile app. With just a few clicks, you can track the status of your visa renewal or submit a health declaration right from your phone.

Processing time for U.S. Visa renewal in Serbia

The length of time it takes to process the renewal of non-immigrant visas varies in different U.S. immigration authorities. It depends on factors like appointment availability, workforce size, and the volume of visa applications the U.S. embassy handles.

The processing time can take up to two months, throughout which your passport will be retained. We advise you to check the U.S. State Department website for a clearer picture of the waiting period.

When using our services for your visa application, please anticipate a processing period of up to 30 days. This allows for exhaustive scrutiny of your application as well as facilitating the scheduling of your visa interview.

To avoid potential stress, we recommend initiating your application process well in advance of your planned travel date.

Can you renew your B1/B2 Visa without an interview in Serbia?

You can renew nonimmigrant visas such as the B1/B2 Visa without needing to sit for a visa interview. It’s called the Interview Waiver Program (IWP). This requires visa applicants to satisfy certain eligibility conditions:

• The visa you're looking to renew must have been issued in the country where you're making the visa application and it should either be valid or have expired within the last 12 to 48 months. .

• You need to be a Serbian citizen or hold permanent resident status in Serbia, and you must be physically in the country at the time of the visa application.

• All 10 fingerprints were taken at the time when the last visa was issued.

• There have been no incidents of loss, theft, or revocation associated with your previous visa.

• Your most recent visa application was not rejected.

It should be noted that consular officers reserve the right to require an interview for any visa applicant. If you qualify for the waiver, you will be given instructions on how to drop off their documents at the selected consular section.

Can you renew a U.S. Visa before expiration in Serbia?

Yes, it is possible to initiate the renewal process even before your visa reaches its expiry date. We suggest that you start the visa renewal application early enough to allow ample time for processing.

The visa should either be currently active or have expired within the last 48 months.

When should I renew my U.S. Visa in Serbia?

We advise you to initiate the application process at least two months before your current B1/B2 Visa expires. If you want to be considered for an interview waiver, your visa should be due to expire within three months from your application date.

U.S. Visa renewal passport tracking in Serbia

After your interview, you can track the progress of your visa renewal using the tracking number given to you once your visa renewal application is submitted. This number serves as the key to access updates on your application's status on the official U.S. Department of State website.

An easier way to track your passport is by renewing your visa through our online platform. We will send you regular email updates without you having to visit any U.S. government websites.

Once your visa gets approved, we'll send you an email detailing the steps for retrieving your passport containing your new visa.

My U.S. Visa renewal in Serbia was denied. How to proceed?

In case of a visa denial, the consular officer will provide a written explanation outlining the reasons for the refusal.

If the denial letter has the code 214(b), it typically signifies that the applicant doesn't meet the necessary qualifications for a visa. You would need to start a fresh application and provide evidence showing a change in circumstances since the last application.

If the letter has the code 221(g), it will often outline additional steps that need to be undertaken to progress with the visa application.

At iVisa, one of our iVisa Experts will walk you through the reapplication process and make sure you have everything you need for a better chance at getting your visa renewal approved.

Am I eligible to renew my U.S. Visa in Serbia?

As a Serbian national looking to renew your B1/B2 Visa online, your previous visa should be in the same category as the one you’re now applying for and it should have been granted in Serbia.

The previous visa should either currently valid, expired within the last 4 years, or will expire in the next three months. You should also have the passport(s) with previous visas to the U.S., including the one with the most recent visa.

In addition, you need to have always adhered to immigration laws and other rules while in the U.S. and not overstayed or worked unlawfully while there.

If you are currently in the U.S., you will have to renew your visitor visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents can renew their visas within the U.S.

U.S. consulates have the authority to grant interview waivers to foreign nationals applying for renewal of nonimmigrant visas in the same classification, as long as the prior visa has expired within 48 months.

My U.S. Visa was lost/stolen. What should I do?

If you ever find yourself in a situation where your passport and B1/B2 Visa are lost or stolen, it's essential to act promptly, especially if you're not in Serbia when it happens.

Here's what should you do:

• Inform the local law enforcement: Start with reporting the loss to the police so that you have an official record of the incident.

• Reach out to the Serbian embassy: If you're still in the country where your passport disappeared, contact the closest Serbian embassy. They will guide you on how to handle the situation and assist you in acquiring a new passport.

• Get in touch with the U.S. embassy: Next, notify the U.S. Embassy in Serbia about your lost visa. They will provide you with details on the process of securing a replacement.

• Prepare the necessary paperwork: When reapplying for your passport and visa, you'll need to present some identification and supporting documents.

• Start your new B1/B2 Visa application: You can do this through the website and complete the DS-160 form again. Don't forget to mention the details around how you lost your previous passport and visa.

Keep in mind, securing a new passport and B1/B2 visa might take a while, so the sooner you start, the better.

How to prepare for the U.S. Visa interview in Serbia?

Preparing for your U.S. B1/B2 Visa interview in Serbia can be a bit daunting, but with the right steps, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Let's run through the process:

Step 1: Know what's expected of you: By using our service for your U.S. Visa renewal, we provide you with a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know.

Step 2: Organize your documents: Have all the necessary paperwork at your fingertips, including your passport and other documents, like a birth certificate (if needed), the DS-160 form confirmation page, and your proof of payment.

Step 3: Practice your English: The interview will be conducted in English, so brushing up on your English skills will help you in communicating your thoughts more effectively.

Step 4: Expect a range of questions: You'll likely be asked about your trip, background, and your ties to Serbia. Make sure to answer these queries honestly.

Step 5: Punctuality is key: Plan to be at the U.S. embassy earlier than your appointed interview time. Electronic devices or recording equipment of any kind, like mobile phones, cameras, and laptop computers are prohibited inside the U.S. embassy. They should be left at home or in your vehicle.

Where can I contact you for more questions about the B1/B2 renewal process?

Need more information about the B1/B2 Visa renewal or applying for a visa in a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad? Don't hesitate to get in touch! Our customer support team is on standby and ready to help. Shoot us a message on our live chat or drop us a line at [email protected].