Visit Places, Friends and Family in USA
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a non-immigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are non-immigrant 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). Visitor visas will not be issued for birth tourism (travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their child).
79
International Visitors (2019)
50
Total Number of States
9834000
Land Area in Square KM
USA Visitor Visa
USA Visitor Visa is a tourist visa to the United States of America. It is also known as B2 Visa. It is a non-immigrant visa issued to people entering the US temporarily for pleasure, tourism, or medical treatment. Any foreign citizen who wants to visit USA for tourism, visiting with family and friends, attending special events like family functions and ceremonies, or for medical treatment may qualify for and can apply for the Visitor Visa.
The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for people traveling to the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Generally, the B-1 visa is for travelers consulting with business associates, attending scientific, educational, professional or business conventions/conferences, settling an estate or negotiating contracts. The B-2 visa is for travel that is recreational in nature, including tourism, visits with friends or relatives, medical treatment and activities of a fraternal, social or service nature. Often, the B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued as one visa: the B-1/B-2.
Note: Citizens of certain countries may not require a visa if the trip is less than 90 days. This is known as US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
US Visitor Visa Requirements
If you apply for a visitor/business visa, you must submit the following:
- A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form.
- A passport valid for travel to the US with a validity date at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay in USA.
- Photo: You will upload your photo (5cmx5cm) while completing the online Form DS-160.
- Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay ($160) before your interview.
Quick Facts about USA Visitor Visa
- Visitor visa or tourist visa is also known as B1-B2 or B2 visa for USA.
- Visitor visa is subject to approval. You have to apply for and get the visitor visa stamped in your passport.
- Tourist visa is granted for a specific purpose only, like tourism, medical treatment, etc. Person entering the United States on visitor visa should not be involved in study, business, or work. If the purpose of your trip is business, you must apply for US Business Visa (B1 Visa) instead.
- Maximum length of stay in US on visitor visa is subject to grant at a US port of entry on arrival. An extension of maximum 6 months may be possible which is again subject to approval. To request an extension, you will need to submit a visitor visa extension application to USCIS with fee.
Eligibility Criteria for a Tourist Visa
To be eligible for a US Tourist visa, the purpose of your visit should be one of the following:
- Have a holiday in the United States.
- Tour various cities in the United States.
- Visit friends or family.
- Participate in social events hosted by various organizations.
- Visit for medical treatment.
- Participate in events or contests related to music or sports, for which you will not receive payment.
- Enroll in short study courses for which you will not receive credit (ex. cooking classes).
In addition, you will have to prove that you intend to return to your home country as soon as your visa expires.
Why Work With us to Ensure Your USA Visitor Visa is Successful
A visit to USA presents amazing experiences for any foreign citizen. Visiting the United States of America is high up there on most people’s bucket lists, and for a good reason. It is one of the world’s most popular destinations, with around 77 million tourists heading there every year to experience everything that the country has to offer. From theme parks to historical attractions, America has pretty much everything you can think of, and it is safe to say that it is a place like no other. If you want to ensure your best chances at getting an approval on your Visitor Visa application, then we recommend you consult with us before submitting. We have helped thousands and thousands of individuals and families successfully enter USA on a visitor visa, and we can help you too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find answers to commonly asked questions about visiting USA.
- Your passport.
- Proof of funds.
- Letters supporting your reason of visiting the US.
- Adequate insurance coverage.
- Details of who you are staying with and where.
- Air tickets.
- Evidence that you will return to your home country.
- Financial documents.
Business (B-1)
- Consult with business associates
- Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
- Settle an estate
- Negotiate a contract.
Tourism (B-2)
- Tourism
- Vacation (holiday)
- Visit with friends or relatives
- Medical treatment
- Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
- Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
- Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)
These are some examples of activities that require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a visitor visa:
- Study
- Employment
- Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
- Arrival as a crew member on a ship or aircraft
- Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
- Permanent residence in the United States
Visitor visas will also not be issued for birth tourism (travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their child).
The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190. K visas cost US$265 and the fee amount for E visas is US$205.
If you overstay by 180 days or more (but less than one year), after you depart the U.S. you will be barred from reentering for three years. If you overstay by one year or more, after you depart the U.S., you will be barred from reentering the U.S. for ten years.
B1 and B2 visas are generally referred to as “B visas”, and they are the most common types of visa issued for a wide range of uses in the United States. The B1 visa is issued mainly for short-term business trips, while the B2 visa is issued mainly traveling for tourism purposes.
Financial or bank statements to prove you have the finances to stay in the US of at least $266 for each day of your planned stay. Ties to your home country. Family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return.
A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.
If you are eligible, file Form I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS, including all supporting documents and fees. USCIS will review your application and schedule an interview with you. Once issued, your Green Card will be valid for 10 years.
Actualize Your Goal to Visit the United States
The first step towards visiting USA is getting an assessment of your case. Please click the "Get Started" button so we can determine your eligibility to move to a town or city within the United States of America.