- B-1 Visa: For business-related activities such as attending conferences, professional meetings, or negotiations.
- B-2 Visa: For tourism, vacation, visiting family/friends, medical treatment, or other non-business-related activities.
Processing Timeline: Typically takes 3–6 weeks, but can vary based on the applicant’s location and the time of year.
Stay Duration: Up to 6 months on a B-2 tourist visa. Extensions may be possible if applied for before the initial duration expires.
Documents Checklist:
- Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
- Visa Application Form (DS-160): Complete the online form.
- Visa Application Fee Receipt: Pay the fee online and print the receipt.
- Photo: Must meet U.S. visa photo requirements.
- Proof of Ties to Home Country: Evidence like job, property ownership, or family connections to prove you will return.
- Travel Itinerary: Include flight details and accommodation bookings.
- Financial Statements: Bank statements to show you can support yourself during your stay.
- Fill out the DS-160 form online at the Consular Electronic Application Center website.
- Upload a recent passport-sized photograph.
- After completing the form, you will receive a confirmation page with a barcode, which must be printed and brought to the visa interview.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee, usually $185 (check for updated fees).
- Payments can typically be made online or at approved locations like banks.
- Create an account on the U.S. Embassy's website to schedule an appointment for the interview.
- You will need the DS-160 barcode number and the payment receipt to schedule the interview.
- Documents to bring:
- Passport: Valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the U.S.
- DS-160 Confirmation: The confirmation page with the barcode.
- Fee Payment Receipt: Proof of the visa fee payment.
- Photo: A passport-sized photo (if not uploaded during the DS-160 form submission).
- Supporting Documents: Letter from an employer, bank statements, travel itinerary, invitation letter from friends/family (if applicable), proof of ties to your home country (like property ownership or employment), etc.
- During the interview, the consular officer will ask about your purpose of travel, financial situation, and ties to your home country.
- After the interview, your visa will either be approved or denied.
- If approved, your passport will be kept at the embassy for visa processing (usually a few days to a few weeks).
- You will be notified to collect your passport once the visa is stamped.
Once the visa is issued, it will be stamped on your passport. You can check the status of your application online.
- With the visa, you can now travel to the U.S.
- At the port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will review your documents and ask about your travel purpose.
- The CBP officer has the final authority to allow or deny entry into the U.S., even with a valid visa.
- The B-1/B-2 visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.; it allows you to request entry at a U.S. port of entry.
- You must show strong ties to your home country to prove that you intend to return after your visit.
- Processing times can vary, so plan accordingly and apply well in advance of your intended travel date.