Tourist & Business Visitor Visa Applications
For Travel To The United States
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Important Travel Information – Please Read
The B1/B2 Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits travelers to enter the United States for either tourism or business purposes. A B1/B2 visa is a combination of the B1 Business Visa and the B2 Tourist Visa.
TheB2 Visa is intended for persons wishing to go to the United States for tourism or medical treatment. If you wish to travel to the United States for business purposes, you should apply for aB1 visa instead. If you visit the United States on a regular basis for both tourism & business, you can apply for the B1/B2combination visa.
Other USA Visa Options:
- ESTA Visa Waiver
- B1 Business Visa
- B2 Tourist Visa
- C1 Transit Visa
To begin the B1/B2 Visa application process, please click the link below:
Start ApplicationThe B-1/B-2 visa does not confer permanent resident status; it is a temporary visa; nevertheless, the bearer may apply for a green card. 180 days is the maximum duration permitted for a B1/B2 visa.
B1/B2 Visitor Visa
B visas are temporary non-immigrant visas for tourists and business travelers affixed to a passport page.
This visa includes business trips, vacations, family visits, conference attendance, and medical treatment. It is the most prevalent visa for entry into the United States. In addition, it is the visa category with the greatest refusal rate. This visa type does not permit employment or study in the United States.
The B1/B2 visa is valid for ten years. It permits you to visit the United States for up to 6 months at a time. Your visa is still valid if you obtain a new passport.
B1 B2 Visa Purposes
You are permitted to travel under a B1/B2 visa for the following reasons but not limited too:
- Conducting business such as contract negotiations and business meetings
- Attending a professional, educational, or business-related conference
- Settling a relatives estate
- Tourism Activities
- Visiting relatives
- Medical Treatment
- Participating in events, such as concerts or classes. (as long as no cash or credit is given to the participant)
B1 B2 Visa Eligibility
To qualify for a B-1 or B-2 visa, the applicant must demonstrate that their trip is temporary and that they have sufficient funds to cover all expenses.
In addition, they must demonstrate that they do not intend to extend their stay in the United States and have not abandoned a residency outside the United States.
Before applying for a B1/B2 visa, you must ensure that you have the following documents
A passport that is valid for six months beyond your return date.
1 recent digital image that meets the set out specifications.
Evidence of your previous five journeys to the United States, if relevant.
Documentation of sufficient finances to pay the total cost of the trip, including airfare.
Evidence of binding ties to their home country, such as employment or property ownership.
To qualify for a B1 or B2 visa, the applicant must demonstrate that the trip is just temporary.
They have the ability to fund the entire trip on their own.
They must demonstrate that they do not intend to extend their stay in the United States.
Evidence that they have abandoned a residency outside the country.
B1 Business Visitor Visa
A B1 Visa allows business travelers to enter the United States. These visas are often provided as a combination of two visas. AB-1 business visit visa and a B2 ‘Visitor for Pleasure’visa. Due to this approach, an oldB1 B2 visaissued for a vacation trip may be valid for a scheduled business trip.
AB1 Business Visitor Visawill be the right kind of visa for the journey if the trip’s aim is solely for business.
As a business traveler in the United States, you are permitted to:
- Organize Negotiations.
- Soliciting purchases or investments.
- Talk about any anticipated purchases or investments.
- Make purchases or investments.
- Attend meetings and thoroughly engage.
B2 Tourist Visitor Visa
The B2 visa is the standard non-immigration visa. This visa is for people wishing to travel to the USA for visits of 6 months or less. If you are rejected for the ESTA visa waiver program, the B2-Visa is the first alternative. If you are a student, a non-permanent employee or wish to work as a crew member then you must apply for the appropriate visa.
You may be eligible for a B-2 visa if your major goal of your travel is tourism or any of the following:
- Medical treatment.
- Fraternal.
- Social.
- Service activities.
- Amateur participation inmusicals.
- Sporting.
- Events or contests.
B1/B2 Visa Application Process
B1 B2 visa applications. You must attend an interview.
- Fill out our online form – ensure you choose B1 B2 Visa from the list.
- Upload a photograph to be used for your visa.
- Print the confirmation documentation we send to you by email.
- Schedule an interview.
You must give digital fingerprint scans. A photograph must be provided for your visa application.
The consular officer may conclude that your application requires additional processing and inform you accordingly.
For detailed information on specific parts of the B1/B2 visa process, you can refer to the links in the table on the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
Useful Resources
USA Visa News |
USA Visa Fees |
USA Visa Types |
Supporting Documents |
How to Submit a B1/B2 Visa Application |
Visa Appointments |
Visa Decison |
Visa Refusal |
USA Visa Types
Any foreign national wishing to travel to America must have a visa. There are several options depending on the purpose of your visit:
A Visa, Government Officials | B1 Visa, Visitor Visa | B2 Visa, Visitor Visa |
BCC Visa, Mexican Border Crossing Card | C Visa, Transit in the U.S | D Visa, Aircraft Crew |
ESTA Visa Waiver | E-1 Visa, Treaty Traders | E-2 Visa, Treaty Investors |
E-3 Visa, Australian Professional | F-1 Visa, Academic Students | F-2 Visa, Dependents of F-1 |
G-1 Visa, Official Duties | H-1B1 Visa, Singaporean FTA Professionals | H-1B Temporary Work Visa |
H-2B Seasonal Employment Visa | NATO1-6 Visas, Military personnel | O-1 Visa For Extraordinary Talent |
Entry To The United States
How long you will have to wait for an interview do vary by location, season, and visa type. You should apply for your visa as soon as possible.
TheB1 or B2 visaenables a foreign person to go to a United States port-of-entry. We can ensure your visa application goes smoothly. Please note, visa approval will not guarantee entrance to the USA.
Authorities from theDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS)and USCustoms and Border Protection (CBP)have the right to grant or to refuse entrance to the United States.
B1/B2 Visa Interview Questions
As part of the B visa application process, you should anticipate an interview at the U.S. consular station where you submitted your petition. Before the interview, it is prudent to anticipate questions regarding your application, immigration background, and travel plans from the officer conducting the interview.
These are examples of frequently asked questions:
- What is your reason for visiting?
- Have you visited the United States before?
- When do you plan to travel?
- Have you purchased tickets, including return tickets?
- Which state(s) do you plan to visit?
- Have you been denied a visa earlier?
- Do you have family in the United States?
- Who will be your contact and sponsor in the United States? What
- Where do you plan to stay?
- With whom will you be traveling?
- How long will you stay in the United States?
- Can you demonstrate that you maintain ties with your country of residence?
- What is your occupation?
- Will you be working in the United States?
- What is your yearly salary?
In addition, you may be asked generic questions about your health, personal, and financial conditions. You may bring supporting papers, such as recent bank statements, pay stubs, and mortgage bills, to help answer the questions.
People Also Asked...
Visitors that travel from countries who are participating in the Visa Waiver Program are in deed eligible for an ESTA Visitor Visa Waiver.
These countries include but are not restricted to:
- United Kingdom (UK), British Citizens
- Ireland, Irish Citizens
- Australia, Australian Citizens
- New Zealand (NZ), New Zealand Citizens
In most cases, you will need an ESTA for any vacations / holidays to America. Every member of your family will require an ESTA, regardless of age. This is valid for 2 years and allows you to visit for as long as 90 days at a time, you can travel to multiple states during this time. Any travel longer than that will require a full visa, such as a B2 Visitor Visa. Additionally, if you are not a national of a visa waiver country you must apply for a B2 visa.
In some cases you can get an ESTA for a business visit, providing it is for certain business activities such as meeting an investor, discussing a contract, attending a conference etc.. It is okay for the company to pay for any expenses such as accommodation or flights. If you will be paid for any of your time spent in the US, you will need to apply for either a B1 Business Visitor Visa or another of the many work visas available.
No.
B1 B2 Visas only grant travel to the USA, entry is determined by the customs officers at the border. We can increase the chances of a successful application by avoiding any complications with the application and interview process. We ensure your documentation is completed correctly and provide expert advice. You should have no issues with entry as long as you remain truthful on your application.
You can appeal any rejections at the embassy if you feel you were wrongly rejected for your visa application. You may want to seek legal help / advice in this case.
Visa applications are usually rejected due to incorrect or missing information on your forms, which is not an issue when applying on our website.
After a rejection, you must wait 6 months before re-applying.
Once you have a B1 B2 visa, you will be granted authorization to stay in the USA for a starting period of 6 months, which can be extended with further applications up to 10 years maximum validity. Even with a 10 year validity you are only permitted to remain in the USA for 6 months at a time, you must return to your home country for some time and travel back to the USA afterwards.
It is not acceptable to undertake any work or seek employment in the United States while traveling under a B1 B2 visa. You may however undertake certain business activites such as onducting business-related contractual negotiations, attending specialized business-related meetings or conferences, to participate in trade shows, exhibitions etc. & to complete research, tours, inspections, etc. for business purposes.
If your application is successful, you can expect your visa to be processed by the U.S. embassy within 3-5 working days. Then an extra 2-3 working days should be given for courier return of your documents. The time taken to apply for a visa usually comes from the appointment availability which can be anywhere from 1 month to 2 years waiting time depending on your local U.S. Embassy.
The B1 visa is for business, whereas the B2 visa is for leisure. B2 visas are for visitors who are visiting the United States as tourists, to see friends or relatives, or for medical treatment. These two visas have some similarities, such as term and various paperwork. There are significant distinctions between the B1 and B2 visas, which I have discussed in the sections below. Go over all of the topics to gain a better understanding of the B1 and B2 visas.
You can change your B1 B2 visa into a Green Card only under some circumstances. During your time staying in the USA with a B1 B2 visa, you may be eligible to apply for an EB-1 green card only if you fall under extraordinary ability.
There is no precise limit because your visa specifies M (multiple) entries.
You are allowed to enter, exit, and re-enter the United States as many times as you like, as long as the immigration officer is happy with your reason for entering.
I would advise staying in the United States for no more than 182 days every year. It would be as if you spent half a year in the United States, which is not allowed on a B visa.
Every time you enter the United States, a CBP officer will interrogate you more deeply about your visit. You must persuade him that you are not attempting to settle in the United States.
The initial visa period is 6 months and can usually be extended in increments of 6 months at a time. The amount of times you can extend your visa is down to the descretion of the US government and your reasons for extension of US visa applications. You can extend to a maximum of 10 years.
You may visit other countries if your passport does not offer many visa-free entry options. This is of course once you gained a valid US visa.
With a B1 B2 visa you will be able to enter the United States and their territories. You may also be eligible to enter Canada, Mexico, Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador etc.)
You should always check this information with the embassy before travel.
The fee for supporting submitting your visa through this site is $160. A further $160 is the government filing fee for all non-immigrant visas which must be paid during the appointment booking process. This is separate to the initial fee paid on this website. Additional fees are also required for visa extensions.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the federal executive agency in charge of public safety in the country, approximately equivalent to other nations’ interior or home ministries. The organization’s claimed missions include counterterrorism, border security, immigrant and customs protection, cyber security, and disaster management.
It was established as a result of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which was passed in reaction to the September 11 attacks, and it started operating in 2003. DHS is the third-largest Cabinet agency, after the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, with more than 240,000 employees[1]. The Homeland Security Council coordinates homeland security policies at the White House. The Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, and Energy are additional organisations with important roles in homeland security.
The Department of Homeland Security’s largest federal law enforcement body, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), also serves as the nation’s main border control agency. In addition to collecting import taxes and executing American laws governing commerce, customs, and immigration, it is responsible for regulating and facilitating global trade. One of the biggest law enforcement organizations in the US is CBP. More than 45,600 federal agents and policemen work there. Its main office is in Washington, D.C.
FAQs
Should I apply for B2 or B1 B2 visa? ›
If you are traveling for temporary business, it may be conducted with a U.S. B1 Visa. If you are traveling to America as a tourist, you will want a B2 Visa. It is now easy to apply and receive a combination of a B1/B2 visa with the help of iVisa.
How many times we can apply for B1 B2 visa? ›You can travel through the U.S. mostly for as long and as many times as you want.
Is interview required for B1 B2 visa? ›B1/B2 Visa Application Process
You will need to attend an interview before your visa is approved. You can attend an interview at an embassy or consulate in a third country but you will likely wait longer for a visa appointment. First, you must complete the Online Non-Immigrant Application, Form DS-160.
The B1 visa is issued mainly for short-term business trips, while the B2 visa is issued mainly traveling for tourism purposes.
Is a B1 B2 visa hard to get? ›Nonetheless, the US B1/B2 visa offers one of the simplest options for visiting the United States for business or tourism purposes. The B1/B2 Visa is an important requirement for many travelers wishing to enter the U.S. Luckily, everyone is eligible to apply for it in the easiest way possible using iVisa.
Can I apply for B1 and B2 visa together? ›Generally B visas are provided in two categories B1 and B2 visas and are issued together.
How long does it take to get a B1 B2 visa approved? ›As of November 2022, the median worldwide wait time for a tourist visa (B1/B2) interview appointment is about two months, and applicants with urgent travel needs who meet certain criteria can apply for an emergency appointment, usually available within days.
How can I increase my chances of getting a U.S. tourist visa? ›- Employment. Having a job in your home country will not guarantee to have your visa issued. ...
- Family Obligation. ...
- Property and Personal Asset. ...
- Community Involvement. ...
- Travel History.
Common ineligibilities leading to Visa Refusal
You did not establish eligibility for the Visa category. You were convicted of a crime that involves moral turpitude. You were convicted of drug violation. You have two or more criminal convictions for which you may have a total sentence of 5 years in prison.
There is no minimum balance requirement for your bank account, however, based on the experience of others we recommend anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 will be sufficient.
Can I get B1 visa without interview? ›
Please note applicants are only required to schedule their in-person or interview waiver appointment within the 365-day period. There is no requirement the interview or VAC appointment must occur during the 365-day period.
Who qualifies for interview waiver B1 B2? ›Applicants for B1 visa or B2 visa or B1/ B2 visa that are 80 years of age or older and under the age of 14 are eligible for interview waiver even if they apply for the B1 B2 visa for the first time or for B1 B2 renewals.
Does B2 visa get rejected? ›There could be many reasons why your B-2 visa was denied for immigrant intent. If, for instance, you traveled to the U.S. in the past and overstayed the time permitted under your visa or extended that stay, this might indicate to the consular officer that you do not intend to comply with the visa requirements.
Can I get US tourist visa without interview? ›Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant. You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live.
Can B1 B2 visa be converted to green card? ›As a B-1/B-2 visitor, you could potentially apply for a green card from within the United States, a process known as “adjustment of status” (AOS). You can also apply from your home country using consular processing.
Is it hard to get B1 visa? ›Since there is no quota on the B1 visa, the documentation required is not as strenuous as for migrant visas. Typically, your application package must contain: Your passport. Proof of funds.
How much time does it take to get B1 visa? ›As of November 2022, the median worldwide wait time for a tourist visa (B1/B2) interview appointment was about two months, and applicants with urgent travel needs who meet certain criteria can apply for an emergency appointment, usually available within days.
How much bank balance is required for US visa? ›Although there isn't a predetermined minimum balance needed, an F-1 visa requires a minimum balance of 10,000 USD.
Which is the easiest visa to get? ›- Lithuania. Lithuania is one of the easiest European countries to get a visa. ...
- Estonia. Estonia is next on the list of the easiest countries to get a visa in Europe. ...
- Finland. ...
- Iceland. ...
- Slovakia. ...
- Latvia. ...
- Czech Republic.
For many, a "B" visitor visa is the easiest and most appropriate one to get. (See 8 U.S. Code § 1101.) The B visa a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2).
Can I apply for two different visa types at the same time? ›
If you apply for two types of visas and are eligible for both visas, consular officers are permitted to issue two concurrently valid visas. For example, you may have a B1/B2 visa for tourist purposes that was granted for 10 years and also be issued an E-2 visa to run a business in the United States.
Can I have 2 visa applications at the same time? ›You may apply for two different visas at the same time if you can show that you will enter the United States on the first visa, leave and re-enter on the other. You are required to complete one visa application form DS-160 but pay two MRV fees; the second fee is paid to the Embassy cashier on the day of the interview.
Can I hold two visas at the same time? ›Depending on your circumstances there is nothing to stop or prevent you from applying for 2 visas at the same time. Generally, if you are able to apply for a substantive visa (substantive visas are visas other than a bridging visa), there is nothing to stop you from applying for 2 visas at the same time.
How hard is it to get a U.S. B2 visa? ›Qualifying for a B-2 tourist visa is not automatic, and for people from some countries, not easy. It depends on what you plan to do during your visit and whether you can convince the U.S. consular authorities that you will really return home afterward.
How can I speed up my B2 visa? ›- STEP 1: SCHEDULE THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT. ...
- STEP 2: SUBMIT EXPEDITE REQUEST FORM. ...
- STEP 3: WAIT FOR THE DECISION. ...
- STEP 4: LOG BACK IN TO YOUR PROFILE. ...
- STEP 5: CANCEL YOUR OLD APPOINTMENT. ...
- STEP 6: SCHEDULE THE EXPEDITED INTERVIEW.
“As of November 2022, the global median wait time for a tourist visa (B1/B2) interview appointment is under two months. Emergency appointments are available within days for applicants who meet the criteria.
How can I impress my visa officer? ›Positive Attitude
When your turn for the interview comes, enter the room with a smile, greet the officer with a warm hello or hi. S/he may ask you 'how are you doing'. Reply politely and thank them for asking. If your visa is granted, thank them politely and leave.
Information on social media also may be evaluated for other grounds of inadmissibility. If your posts show that you were involved in criminal activity, your application could be denied on that basis, even if the activity is not related to terrorism or violence.
What is the fastest way to get a tourist visa to USA? ›In a rush, you may struggle to get an appointment as fast as you may need it. For this reason, travelers should apply early for their visa to avoid any problems. When this is not possible, you can expedite the visa directly at the consulate or apply through an expediting service such as Rush My Travel Visa.
How much bank balance is required for B1 visa? ›The amount of bank balance you should have for applying to the US tourist visa depends on the duration. If it is a 15-day trip, you must have $ 5,000-10,000 in your bank.
How can I avoid US visa rejection? ›
In order to overcome a denial for public charge reasons, you must demonstrate you will have sufficient financial support in the United States. The consular officer will review the additional evidence you submit to determine whether it is sufficient to overcome your ineligibility under section 212(a)(4).
How to pass B1 B2 visa interview? ›- Why would you want to go to the USA?
- Why have you chosen this time period? ...
- How long will you stay in the USA? ...
- Is there a place for you to remain in the United States? ...
- How much do you believe your trip is going to cost?
...
You can provide:
- bank statements.
- building society passbooks.
- certificates of deposit.
- a letter from your bank or building society.
The only recognized way to prove your financial sufficiency are recent bank account statements during the last three months. Attention, bank statements must show the name and address of the owner. The embassies cannot accept Travel Money Cards or cash as proof of sufficient funds.
What documents are required for B2 visa interview? ›- Copy of work visa approval notice ( H1B, L1 – Form I-797).
- Copy of Passport, US Visa stamped on passport.
- Copy of I-94. ( ...
- Current Employment verification letter.
- Copy of Bank statements from last 6 months.
- Bank Account verification/ balance letter.
For instance, B1/B2 visa holders can enter the country multiple times within 10 years. Therefore, individuals willing to apply for these visas must make sure to prepare for B1/B2 visa interview questions beforehand.
Is there interview for B2 visa? ›Your visa interview will take place at the U.S. Embassy or consulate where you've filed your application. During the interview, a consular officer will ask you questions about your intended travel to the U.S., your life in your home country, and your immigration background.
How can I clear my B1 visa interview? ›...
Document Preparation
- Fill all the forms/applications neatly and completely.
- Know what you have filled in the form, if you have taken guidance from others.
- Answer the questions truthfully.
- If getting copies of documents, ensure that the copies are readable.
Generally, the only documents needed for a B1/B2 visa interview are your current passport and your DS-160 interview appointment confirmation page. It is often helpful to bring expired passports which show your prior travel history.
Who qualifies for interview waiver? ›Conditions that must be met: Must be applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence; Must either have been previously issued any type of U.S. visa or be a citizen or national of a Visa Waiver Program participating country with prior travel via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA);
How long does interview waiver take? ›
If qualified, applicants only need to drop the required documents at the RPX Document Drop-off Location any business day between 10am and 3pm. Applicants do not need to come in person to drop off their documents. This process will take 14 business days to complete.
When can I apply again after b1 b2 visa rejected? ›As per some immigrant department of certain countries, you cannot reapply immediately after your visa application was rejected was because the conditions due to which it was refused will not change overnight. Hence, you can only reapply in most cases six months after the refusal of your visa application.
Do visa officers know your travel history? ›Our visa officers are very well trained to evaluate all aspects of a case, such as an applicant's financial and family situation in India, stated intent in visiting the United States, travel history, and many other factors.
What disqualifies you from getting a visa? ›Being affiliated with terrorism, Nazism, Communism, or any form of anti-government activity can disqualify you for a visa. Prior violation of immigration law. If you were deported previously, you are most likely ineligible for a visa.
Which US visa does not require interview? ›The Department of State has also authorized consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for travelers applying for F, H-1, H-3, H-4, non-blanket L, M, O, P, Q, and academic J visas who were previously issued any type of visa, if they are applying for a visa in their country of nationality or ...
How can I fail my US visa interview? ›- Financial Instability. ...
- Selecting the wrong type of Visa. ...
- Validity of your Passport. ...
- Reason to return back to home country not strong enough. ...
- Insufficient or Incorrect Information. ...
- Overstay or violated US visa conditions on your previous visit. ...
- Visa Denials Based on Criminal Record.
The U.S. embassy/consulate will conduct visa interviews, a background check, and require a medical examination performed in the country where the individual is applying for the visa.
Is B1 B2 visa same as B2? ›Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
Which is better B1 or B2 visa? ›B1 visa is for business and B2 is for pleasure. B2 visa is most commonly provided for the applicant's spouse or children. However the visa is issued as "B1/B2 visa". (For business or pleasure or a combination of both).
What form should I fill for B2 visa? ›Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant's eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
How long does it take to get a B1 or B2 visa? ›
As of November 2022, the median worldwide wait time for a tourist visa (B1/B2) interview appointment is about two months, and applicants with urgent travel needs who meet certain criteria can apply for an emergency appointment, usually available within days.
How long can a B1 B2 visa stay in the US? ›While B-1 or B-2 visas may be valid up to 10 years, visitors on B-1 or B-2 will only be permitted to stay in the United States for a short duration (maximum 6 months), as granted by US Customs and Border Protection upon arrival.
How much bank balance is required for US tourist visa? ›The amount of bank balance you should have for applying to the US tourist visa depends on the duration. If it is a 15-day trip, you must have $ 5,000-10,000 in your bank. Is travel insurance compulsory for the US travel visa? No, travel insurance is not compulsory for the US travel visa.
How much does a B1 B2 visa cost? ›What Does a Tourist Visa Cost You? TheUS Tourist visa fee (B1/B2) costs USD $160.00. This amount is dependent on the nationality and can be paid at the time of the interview or during the application process. The application fee receipt is required for the interview.
Can I marry a US citizen on a B1 B2 visa? ›Can I Marry A US Citizen on A Tourist Visa? The short answer is: yes, you can get married in the US while on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or on a visa waiver program. There is nothing in the regulations that say individuals who are in the US as visitors cannot get married.
Can I renew my B1 B2 visa without interview? ›You may also use the interview waiver program if you are renewing any visa (including B1/B2 visas) within 48 months of expiration. Please note that the Embassy or Consulate to which you apply may require an interview after reviewing your application.