US Visitor Visa is on eof the most famous visa as the United States is the second most popular country for people to visit after France. Millions of people come to the United States for business or tourism every year.
If you’re from another country and want to come to the United States, you usually need to get permission, which is called a visa.
There are two main types of visas: one for temporary stays, called a nonimmigrant visa, and one for permanent residence, called an immigrant visa.
Below, we explain the types of visitor visa eligibility criteria and how to apply.
What is a US Visitor Visa?
Visitor Visa falls under the category of nonimmigrant visa. A visitor visa is also known as a B visa. Many visitors use a B visa to enter the United States.
With a visitor visa, people can visit the United States temporarily.
Types of US Visitor Visas:
There are two different categories of visitor visas, or B visas, available based on the purpose of the visit.
- B1 Visa (Business Travel)
B-1 visas are for short business trips, such as attending conferences or meetings, negotiating contracts, taking professional exams, or dealing with estate matters.
- B2 Visa (Tourism)
B-2 visas are for people visiting the United States for fun or tourism. Some other things you can do with a B-2 visa include getting medical treatment, participating in amateur entertainment or sports, or taking a short educational course.
How long can I stay in the US on a B-1/B-2 visa?
B-1/B-2 visas can be used multiple times to visit the US and can be valid for up to 10 years.
Within those 10 years, you can come and go to the US many times. But remember, the visa usually stops working when your passport does.
However, visitors with B-1 or B-2 will be permitted to stay in the United States for a maximum of 6 months.
Who Needs a US Visitor Visa?
Most of the time, if you’re from another country, you’ll need a US visitor visa unless you’re eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.
This program lets people from certain countries visit the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
What are the Eligibility Requirements for a US Visitor Visa
- Purpose of Trip: You need to have a valid reason for your visit, either for business (B-1) or pleasure (B-2).
- Short-Term Stay: You must convince the visa officer that your visit is temporary and you have a fixed return date.
- Financial Stability: You must show that you have enough money to cover your entire trip in the US.
- Home Ties: You need to demonstrate strong connections to your home country, such as having a job, property ownership, or family, to prove you don’t plan to stay permanently in the US.
- Admissibility: You must meet security checks and other immigration criteria to enter the US.
Additional Requirements for B-1 Visa (Business):
- Your business activities, such as attending conferences, negotiating contracts, or short-term training, must be temporary.
- A US company cannot employ you on a Visitor Visa during your visit.
What Documents are required for the US Visitor Visa
To make it easy for you to understand this, we have created a flow chart here:
- Valid passport
- Visa application fee receipt
- Evidence supporting your purpose of travel (business documents, itinerary)
- Proof of funds (bank statements)
- Documentation of ties to your home country (passport, application fee receipt, proof of ties to home country, etc.)
Application Process:
You go to the website of the US embassy in your home country. On the website, you find links to the visitor visa application form available in your language.
Here is the step by step process for application
- Fill out the application form (DS-160)
- Pay the application fee
- Schedule an Interview
- Gather Required Documents
- Attend the Interview
- Wait for Processing
- Receive Decision
- Travel to the US
US visitor visa processing time
You’ll typically hear back about your B-1 or B-2 visa application within a few days to weeks after your embassy interview, but the timeframe can vary depending on your country.
In some cases, processing can be as quick as 3 to 5 days, and you’ll receive your stamped passport shortly after.
However, with some embassies, it might take several months for your visa to be processed.
It’s a good idea to apply for your visa as early as you can to ensure it’s approved before your planned visit to the United States.
This way, you’ll have enough time to handle any potential delays in the application process.
Tips for a Successful Application:
Here are some tips for applicants to increase their chances of visa approval:
- Being honest and truthful in your application
- Providing clear and concise answers during the interview
- Demonstrating solid ties to your home country
Resources for More Information:
- US Department of State Travel.gov Visitor Visa Page (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html)
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Visitor Visas (https://www.uscis.gov/visit-the-us)
