USA Visa & ESTA — ServiceLanka

🌐 Language:

📍 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

🇺🇸 United States · B1/B2 Visa · ESTA

🌐 Other visas

USA visa
& ESTA

Visiting the United States for tourism, family, or business? Sri Lankan passport holders need either an ESTA (if eligible) or a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa. We handle your full application — DS-160 form, interview preparation, and document package — in Sinhala, Tamil, or English.

සිංහං · தமிழ் · English · 🏠 Interview at US Embassy Toronto

Consultation

Free

US visa fees are paid directly to the US Embassy. We explain all costs upfront — no surprises.

B1/B2 visa fee
USD $185 (MRV fee)
ESTA fee
USD $21 (online)
Interview
Required for B1/B2 — in person
Processing
Varies — book early
We serve
All Sri Lankan passports

B1/B2 MRV fee

USD $185

ESTA fee

USD $21

Interview

Required (B1/B2)

Max stay (B2)

Up to 6 months

ESTA stay

90 days per visit

Overview

ESTA explained

Documents needed

How it works

FAQ

⚖ ESTA vs B1/B2 visa — which do you need?

⚡ ESTA

Electronic System for Travel Authorization

USD $21

Online only — no interview needed

✓

Valid for 2 years or until passport expires (whichever is sooner)

✓

Allows multiple visits of up to 90 days each

✓

No US Embassy interview required

⚠

Only available if you hold a Canadian PR card or a passport from a VWP country

⚠

Cannot be used to work or study in the US

✅ Best for: Sri Lankans who are Canadian PRs or hold another VWP passport

📄 B1/B2 Visa

US Nonimmigrant Visitor Visa

USD $185

MRV fee + in-person interview at US Embassy

✓

B1: Business visits (meetings, conferences, negotiations)

✓

B2: Tourism, family visits, medical treatment

✓

Usually granted for 10 years with multiple entries

✓

Each stay up to 6 months (determined by CBP at entry)

⚠

In-person interview at the US Embassy in Ottawa or US Consulate in Toronto required

📄 Required for: Most Sri Lankan passport holders

✅ Who we help

✓

Sri Lankans in Canada applying for a B1/B2 tourist or business visa to visit the US

✓

Canadian PRs with Sri Lankan passports who are eligible for ESTA

✓

People visiting family, attending weddings, or travelling for medical treatment in the US

✓

Business travellers attending US conferences, trade shows, or client meetings

✓

Those who were previously refused a US visa and want a stronger reapplication

✓

Sri Lankans applying from Sri Lanka — we assist remotely via WhatsApp and email

A US B1/B2 visa does not allow you to work or study in the US. Those activities require separate visa categories (H, F, J, etc.) — we do not currently assist with US work or student visas.

🎁 What we do for you

📄

DS-160 form completion

The DS-160 is long, detailed, and easy to make errors on. We complete it accurately on your behalf — every field, every declaration

✍

Cover letter & supporting statement

A clear statement of your trip purpose, ties to Canada, finances, and why you will return — critical for overcoming the presumption of immigrant intent

✅

Document review

We review every document before your interview — nothing missing, nothing that could raise unnecessary questions

🏫

Interview preparation

We prepare you thoroughly for your US Embassy interview — common questions, how to answer confidently, and what to bring on the day

📸

MRV fee & appointment guidance

We walk you through paying the MRV fee and booking your embassy appointment — the process can be confusing for first-time applicants

🔍

Refusal analysis & reapplication

If refused, we analyse what went wrong and build a stronger case before you reapply — multiple refusals make it harder, so do it right the first time

⚡ What is ESTA and who can use it?

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an online pre-travel authorisation for visitors from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. Sri Lanka is not a VWP country — so a Sri Lankan passport alone does not qualify for ESTA. However, some Sri Lankans can access ESTA through other pathways.

✅ You may be eligible for ESTA if you:

✓

Hold a valid Canadian PR card (Permanent Resident card) — Canada is not a VWP country but Canadian PRs with Sri Lankan passports can apply for ESTA under a special provision if travelling directly from Canada

✓

Hold a passport from a VWP country in addition to your Sri Lankan passport (e.g. UK, Australia, Germany) — you would use the VWP passport for ESTA

Sri Lankan passport alone — not eligible for ESTA. You need a B1/B2 visa.

⚡ How ESTA works

🖥

Apply online

At esta.cbp.dhs.gov — takes about 20 minutes

⚡

Instant approval

Most approved within minutes. Some take 72 hours.

✈

Travel freely

Valid 2 years, multiple entries, 90 days per visit

📁 Documents for your US B1/B2 visa interview

The US visa interview is the most important part of your application. The consular officer makes their decision in the interview room — strong documents support your answers. We review everything before your appointment.

🛂

Valid passport

Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. Bring all old passports.

📄

DS-160 confirmation page

Printed confirmation page with barcode — we complete this for you

📸

Passport-size photograph

5cm x 5cm, white background, recent — US specifications differ from other countries

📋

MRV fee payment receipt

Proof that the USD $185 visa application fee has been paid

🏦

Bank statements (3–6 months)

Showing sufficient funds and financial stability — consistency matters more than a large recent balance

💼

Employment letter

Confirming your position, salary, and approved leave — essential for showing you have reason to return to Canada

📋

Canadian immigration status

PR card, work permit, or study permit — showing you have legal status in Canada and reason to return

🏠

Proof of ties to Canada / Sri Lanka

Property ownership, family ties, lease agreements — proving you have strong reasons to return home

📅

Travel itinerary

Hotels booked, places to visit, who you are visiting — a clear, believable trip plan

👤

Invitation letter (if visiting family)

From your US host — their name, address, immigration status, and relationship to you

💊

Medical documents (if applicable)

For medical treatment visits — referral from a US medical facility and evidence of ability to pay

📜

Previous US visas (if any)

Old passports with previous US visas or entry stamps — a travel history with the US helps your case

ⓘ The US consular officer is primarily assessing one thing: whether you intend to return home after your visit. Every document in your application should support this. We prepare your package with this in mind.

🌐 B1/B2 visa — step by step

★

Free consultation & eligibility check

We assess your profile — your ties to Canada, your travel history, your finances, and your purpose of visit. We tell you honestly whether your application is strong, what needs to be improved, and whether ESTA might be an option for you. In Sinhala, Tamil, or English.

Before anything else

Pay the MRV fee

The USD $185 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee must be paid before you can book your interview appointment. It is paid online through the US Embassy Canada website. We walk you through the payment process step by step — it can be confusing the first time.

USD $185 — non-refundable

Complete the DS-160 form

The DS-160 is a detailed online application form covering your personal history, travel history, family details, employment, and more. We complete this on your behalf accurately. Errors or inconsistencies in the DS-160 can result in questions or refusal at the interview.

We complete this for you

Book your interview appointment

After paying the MRV fee and completing the DS-160, you book your interview at the US Embassy in Ottawa or US Consulate in Toronto. Wait times vary — sometimes weeks, sometimes months. We advise on appointment availability and book as early as possible.

Book early — wait times vary

Document preparation & interview prep

We prepare your full document package and run a thorough interview preparation session with you. We cover the most common consular officer questions, how to explain your trip clearly, how to demonstrate your ties to Canada, and how to present yourself confidently. Most interviews last only 2–5 minutes — preparation matters enormously.

Before your interview date

Attend the interview

You attend the US Embassy or Consulate in person. Biometrics are collected. The consular officer asks a few questions and makes their decision. If approved, your passport is held for visa stamping. If denied, you receive a refusal slip with the reason — we advise immediately on next steps.

In-person — you attend alone

✓

Visa stamped & passport returned

If approved, your passport is returned by mail with the B1/B2 visa stamp typically within 5–10 business days. Most Sri Lankan applicants receive a 10-year multiple-entry visa. We advise on what your visa allows, including how long you can stay per visit (determined by CBP at the US border).

Usually 10-year multiple-entry

⚡ ESTA — step by step (Canadian PRs)

Confirm eligibility

We confirm whether your Canadian PR card + Sri Lankan passport combination qualifies for ESTA, based on your travel plans and country of departure.

Canadian PRs only

Complete ESTA application online

We complete your ESTA on the official CBSA portal — esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The form takes about 20 minutes. We review every answer before submission — errors can result in denial or secondary inspection at the US border.

esta.cbp.dhs.gov only

✓

Receive approval & travel

Most ESTA applications are approved within minutes. Occasionally, a decision takes up to 72 hours. Once approved, your ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. You can enter the US multiple times for up to 90 days per visit.

Valid 2 years · 90 days per visit

💬 Frequently asked questions

I have a Sri Lankan passport and a Canadian PR card. Do I need a visa or can I use ESTA? ⌄

If you hold a valid Canadian PR card and are travelling to the US from Canada, you are generally eligible for ESTA — you do not need a B1/B2 visa. However, this applies when travelling directly from Canada. If you are travelling from Sri Lanka or another non-VWP country, you would still need a B1/B2 visa. We confirm your specific eligibility during your free consultation based on your travel plans.

How long can I stay in the US on a B1/B2 visa? ⌄

The B1/B2 visa does not determine how long you can stay — the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry decides this when you arrive. For most tourist visits, CBP grants up to 6 months. The officer stamps your passport with an “Admitted Until” date — you must leave by that date. Overstaying, even by one day, has serious consequences including a bar on future US travel.

My US visa was refused. Can I reapply? ⌄

Yes, you can reapply, but you must pay the MRV fee again (USD $185) and attend a new interview. The most common reason for refusal is Section 214(b) — the officer was not satisfied that you have sufficient ties to your home country and will return after your visit. Reapplying without addressing this is likely to result in another refusal. We analyse your refusal, identify the weakness in your previous application, and build a significantly stronger case before you reapply.

What happens at the US Embassy interview? ⌄

The interview typically lasts only 2–5 minutes. A consular officer asks you questions about your trip purpose, your ties to Canada, your employment, and your finances. They are assessing whether they believe you will return home after your visit. Your documents are reviewed but the officer’s impression of you in the interview itself is the most important factor. We prepare you thoroughly — covering the most common questions and how to answer clearly and confidently.

How long does it take to get a US visa appointment? ⌄

Appointment wait times at the US Embassy in Ottawa and Consulate in Toronto vary significantly — from a few weeks to several months depending on demand. In peak periods (summer, holidays), waits can be long. We advise booking your appointment as early as possible — ideally 3–4 months before your intended travel date. Emergency appointments are available in very limited circumstances.

Can I apply from Sri Lanka or do I have to be in Canada? ⌄

You can apply for a US visa in any country — you do not have to apply from your home country. If you are in Sri Lanka, you would attend an interview at the US Embassy in Colombo. If you are in Canada, you attend the US Embassy in Ottawa or Consulate in Toronto. We assist applicants remotely from anywhere — Sri Lanka, Canada, or elsewhere — via WhatsApp and email. You only need to attend the embassy appointment in person yourself.

What is Section 214(b) and why is it the main reason for US visa refusals? ⌄

Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act states that every nonimmigrant visa applicant is presumed to be an intending immigrant until they prove otherwise. In other words, the burden is on you to demonstrate that you have strong ties to your home country and will return after your visit. The consular officer refuses if they are not convinced. Strong evidence of ties — stable employment, property ownership, family in Canada or Sri Lanka, financial commitments — is the key to overcoming 214(b). We build your application around this.

Is the ESTA application safe to do online? Are there fake websites? ⌄

Yes — there are many unofficial websites that charge USD $50–100+ to complete an ESTA that only costs USD $21 on the official government site. The only official ESTA website is esta.cbp.dhs.gov. These third-party sites are not illegal but they add no value and charge significantly more. We help you complete the application on the official site correctly — ensuring every answer is accurate and no mistakes are made that could cause issues at the US border.

🏫 Interview tip

Prepare your story

Most US visa interviews last only 2–5 minutes. The officer decides quickly. Clear, confident, consistent answers about your trip and your ties to Canada make the biggest difference.

Not sure if you need ESTA or a visa?

Tell us your passport situation and travel plans — we’ll assess your eligibility in minutes.

Other visa services

Useful links

Our office

GTA Square
155–5215 Finch Ave East
Toronto, Ontario M1S 0C2
+1 416-666-5627
[email protected]

🇺🇸US visa & ESTA specialists

💬Sinhala, Tamil & English support

📍Toronto office · Remote across Canada & Sri Lanka

🏫Interview prep included

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USA visa
& ESTA

Not sure if you need ESTA or a visa?

Ready to visit the United States?

USA visa& ESTA

Not sure if you need ESTA or a visa?

Ready to visit the United States?

USA visa
& ESTA