Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | B-2 visitor visa |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate |
| Where to apply | Online DS-160 form, then an interview |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Montenegro is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available. Montenegrin citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in Manhattan or anywhere in the United States. Apply with the online DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate. Check travel.state.gov for current rules. This site does not issue visas.
What the B-2 visa means
Montenegro does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA registration is closed to Montenegrin citizens. A B-2 visitor visa is the correct route for tourism, family visits and short trips to New York. The process starts with the DS-160 form and continues with an interview at a US embassy or consulate abroad, where an officer reviews the case.
A visa lets you travel to a US port of entry and ask for admission. It does not guarantee entry. A Customs and Border Protection officer decides at the airport and records how long you may stay. Carry the documents used at the interview and be ready to explain the Manhattan plans and the return home briefly, in English, at the inspection desk.
Before you fly and on arrival
Apply well before the travel dates. Complete the DS-160, pay the fee through the official channel and book an interview at the embassy or consulate serving Montenegro. Bring a photograph, the passport and papers showing employment, family and the purpose of the trip. Answer every question truthfully on the form. Do not book flights or hotels until the visa is issued.
Flights from Europe land at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark Liberty. Passengers go through Customs and Border Protection inspection, where an officer checks the passport, asks about the purpose and length of the visit, and records the admission. Keep the hotel address at hand and collect the bags before leaving the terminal. Have the confirmation printed. Expect queues at peak times.
Staying in Manhattan
Bring a hotel confirmation showing the name, address and dates of the stay. A Manhattan reservation helps at inspection and gives an address for forms. Trains and buses link each New York airport with the city, and information desks at the terminals can point to the right service. Check the current fare and route before setting out, and allow time for the journey.
Have a return or onward ticket and a clear plan for leaving the United States. The B-2 covers a temporary visit only. Keep the hotel booking, travel insurance and bank details together, and note that the admission date is set by the officer at the airport, not by the visa. Check the official site for current rules and stay within them.
Longer stays, work and study
A B-2 visitor visa suits holidays and family visits. Study, paid work, internships and long stays need a different visa category, and most work routes require a petition filed on the traveler's behalf before any application. Montenegrin citizens should check travel.state.gov to find the category matching their plans, then follow the instructions for the mission serving Montenegro. Plan early and confirm details on the official site.
Do not travel on a visitor visa with the intention of working or settling. Officers at the airport can refuse entry, and a visa can be cancelled. If plans change while in the United States, speak to the officials named on travel.state.gov before acting. Keep the trip short and consistent with what was said at the consulate. This site gives travel guidance only.
How to apply for a visitor visa
- Complete the DS-160 online form for the B-2 visitor visa, answering each question truthfully.
- Pay the visa application fee through the official payment route listed by the embassy or consulate.
- Book an interview appointment at a US embassy or consulate well before the planned travel dates.
- Attend the interview in person with the passport, photograph, DS-160 confirmation and supporting documents.
- Wait for the passport to return with the visa, then check the printed details for errors.
- Fly to New York and present the passport to Customs and Border Protection at the airport.
Documents to carry
- Passport, valid for the trip, containing the visa once issued
- DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode
- Interview appointment confirmation from the embassy or consulate
- Hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and the stay dates
- Return or onward ticket and a short outline of the itinerary
Montenegrin citizens: questions
Do Montenegrin citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan?
Yes. Montenegro is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Montenegrin citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in New York. Apply online with the DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate before booking flights. An ESTA is not available. Check travel.state.gov for the current rules.
Where do Montenegrin citizens apply for a US visitor visa?
Begin with the DS-160 form on the Department of State site, then follow the instructions for the US embassy or consulate that serves Montenegro. That page names the mission, the appointment system and the official payment route. Waiting times and appointment availability change, so check the site before booking flights or hotels.
How long can Montenegrin citizens stay in the United States on a B-2 visa?
The visa itself does not set the length of stay. A Customs and Border Protection officer decides at the airport and records the admission date when you arrive. Check the date before leaving the inspection area and ask the officer if anything is unclear. Confirm current rules on travel.state.gov.
Is a visa enough for entry at JFK or Newark for Montenegrin citizens?
No. A visa lets you travel to a US airport and ask for admission, but the officer at Customs and Border Protection makes the decision. Carry a hotel confirmation, a return ticket and details of the trip, and answer questions briefly. Check travel.state.gov and the CBP site before flying.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.