Visitor Visa USA – B1/B2 US Visa

Do you dream about visiting the USA to see its beautiful national parks like Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon or go to the Californian beach as well as discover cities such as New York and Los Angeles? Whatever is your reason, business or tourism, there is a US visa created for visiting purposes. Read this article to get the right visa to the US!

What is the US Visitor Visa?

The US Visitor Visa allows its holder to fly and visit the United States for a limited time, usually no more than six months. There are two forms of visitor visas available in the United States, which are listed below.

Types of the US Visitor Visa

The B group includes two categories of tourist visas. They can be used in conjunction with both B1 and B2 visas, with the exception of those for particular purposes. Since it is scoured less often.

The most popular types of US visitor visas are:

• The B1 visa enables you to enter the United States to do business with a US corporation.
• The B2 visa allows you to access the United States for the purpose of travel, leisure, or to see friends and family.

Furthermore, there is no limit on the amount of visas that can be obtained in a given year, and those who follow the rules and regulations can obtain it as many times as they want.

How to Apply for the Visitor Visas?

The application procedure for visitor visas is straightforward and identical to that of other nonimmigrant visas in the United States. This means you can apply in your home country at a US Embassy or Consulate.

The application process requires:

• Filling in the DS-160 Form
• Paying the US visitor visa application fees
• Schedule a visitor visa interview
• Collect the required documents
• Attend your interview

Fill out the DS-160 Form

For a US visitor visa required is a standard form – the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160). It is critical to locate the section for visitor visas, either B1 or B2, and complete the required fields, as there are several sections depending on the type of US visa you are applying for. You must have personal details, background information, and the intent of your visit to the United States.

Finally, you will receive a confirmation page with a code that you must keep for future reference. The Consular Electronic Application Center allows you to fill out the DS-160 form online.

US B1/B2 visa application fee

An application for a B1/B2 visa in the United States costs $160. Aside from that, you may be required to pay visa issuance fees, which are dictated by your country’s relationship with the United States.

Booking visitor visa interview

Everyone who is between 14 and 79 years old and applies for a visitor visa in the USA is required to attend a US visitor visa interview with an authority from the US Embassy they are applying in. 

Required documents for the B1/B2 visas

When you go to the US Embassy, you need to support your case as to why the US Embassy has to give you a visa. To apply for a US visitor visa, you need to compile a document file that contains the standard required documents for every US visa as well as:

• Specific document requirements for the B1 visa:
  • The Form DS-160 confirmation page and code.
  • Valid for at least six months passport beyond your planned stay in the US.
  • A photograph that complies with the US Visa photo requirements. 
  • The interview confirmation page.
  • A letter which describes the purpose of your trip.
  • Financial or bank statements to prove you have the finances to stay in the US.
  • Ties to your home country such as family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return.
  • Criminal records or letters from authorities stating that you do not have prior convictions.
  • If you have visited the US before, bring documents relevant to your prior visits.
  • If you are a worker, bring a letter from your employer and payslips for the last three months.
  • A letter from the company detailing the purpose of the trip and your job position.
  • Details of your social media accounts. A list of the social media that you use, and the name of your account in each.

Some extra documents (besides the ones from the B1 category) for the B2 visa:

• Receipt of paid visa fees.
• Proof of financial means. 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.
• Optional US visitor visa invitation letter from friends or family in the US.
• Documents relevant to your prior visits. This only applies if you visited the US before.
• Photocopies of your relative’s status in the US.
• Letters from doctors on your diagnosis and treatment. If you are visiting for medical purposes.
• Transcripts or diploma (applies to students only).

Attend your interview

You have to attend your interview at the right time and on the right day with a document file and depending on the type of visitor visa you want to obtain. During the interview, the functionary will mostly concentrate on your intent to return to your home country. Many people try to go into the US with visitor visas and find employment illegally, so you must prove that you will return.

Limitations of the B1/B2 US Visas

Travelling to the US with a B1/B2 visa comes with some restrictions. The holder of a B1/B2 US Visa cannot:

• perform and get paid for it.
• look for permanent residence in the US.
• become a full or part-time student.
• work in press or journalism.
• take part in any form of employment.
• enter as a crewmember on an aircraft or ship.

The USA Visitor Visa Processing Time

The time of processing your US visitor visa application can vary from a few weeks to a few months. If there is a specific time you have to be in the US, try applying as early as possible that there is enough time for the visa to be processed.

US Visitor Visa Validity

The US B1/B2 visitor visas are given for a period from 1 month up to 10 years. However, The maximum stay on a visitor visa is six months, but make sure that you are not allowed to work during that time, so you must prove you have enough funds and can afford the whole time of staying for that period in the US.

Is a B1/B2 Visa extendable? 

If you want a B1/B2 visa extension, you must provide a valid reason why you need to stay and submit supporting documents. It is possible to try to change your status to a longer-term visa during the time that you are in the US with a visitor visa. However, in such cases, you need to inform the officials at the Embassy during your interview. Not providing the information means that you need to prove that you didn’t intend to change your status at the beginning of your trip and this just changed later.

Do I need to get health insurance before travelling to the US?

Purchasing health insurance is not a requirement of the US authorities to issue a visa. Even so, considering the high costs of the American healthcare system, we recommend getting health insurance before travelling to the United States. Staying at a US hospital for one night may cost, on average, over $10,000!

Can I apply for a Green Card with the Visitor Visas?

The Green Cards are the permit for permanent residence so it might be difficult considering that the visitor visas are temporary and require proving that you will return to your home country. However, if you can change your status to a longer-term visa that allows dual intent, marrying in the US, or applying to join your family then you can apply for the Green Card.

Dependents and a B1/B2 Visa

If you want to travel with your family, they must also get the appropriate visitor visas as the B1/B2 visas do not have dependent visas.