Visitor Visa

Overview
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first
obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for
permanent residence. 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).

Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa:

Business (B-1)

Tourism (B-2)

Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Visitor Visas

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).

How to Apply
There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete
them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the U.S.
Embassy or Consulate website.

Complete the Online Visa Application

 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn more about
completing the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2)
print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
 Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your
photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

Schedule an Interview
Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below.
Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.

If you are age: Then an interview is:

13 and younger Generally not required
14-79 Required (some exceptions for renewals)
80 and older Generally not required

You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S.
Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside
of the country where you live. 

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you
should apply for your visa early. Review the interview wait time for the location where you
will apply: 

Appointment Wait Time

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S.
Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Embassies and Consulates may have a separate process for visa cases where the
in-person interview requirement is waived.  In general wait times for those cases are
shorter, but they are not reflected in the table below.  Please check the individual
Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-
person interview.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Wait Times for Embassy/Consulate

Nonimmigrant Visa Type Appointment Wait Time

Visitor Visa -- days
Student/Exchange Visitor Visas -- days
All Other Nonimmigrant Visas -- days
See details on appointment availability and processing times

Prepare for Your Interview

 Fees - Pay the non-refundable visa application fee, if you are required to pay it
before your interview. If your visa is approved, you may also need to pay a visa
issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. Fee information is provided below:
$160

Select your nationality to see Issuance Fee

All Fees

 Review the instructions available on the website of the U.S. Embassy or

Consulate where you will apply to learn more about fee payment.

Gather Required Documentation

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

 Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at
least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by
country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a
separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
 Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
 Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
 Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the
photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the
Photograph Requirements.

Additional Documentation May Be Required

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you
are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

 The purpose of your trip,

 Your intent to depart the United States after your trip, and/or
 Your ability to pay all costs of the trip. 
 

Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose
of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs
for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for
your trip.

Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad,
rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. 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.

Attend Your Visa Interview

A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a
visitor visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a
visa.  

Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. They are
usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location.

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires
further administrative processing.  The consular officer will inform you if this required.

After the visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable to your
nationality), and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you.  Review
the visa processing times to learn more.

Entering the United States

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and
request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United
States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United
States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an
admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about
admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products,
and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.

Extending Your Stay

See Extend Your Stay on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to
learn about requesting to extend your stay beyond the date indicated on your admission stamp
or paper Form I-94. 

Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being out of status. Under U.S. law,
visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided (Section 222(g) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act).  Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out
of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States. 

Failure to depart the United States on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas in
the future. Review Visa Denials and Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws to learn more.

Change of Status
If your plans change while in the United States (for example, you marry a U.S. citizen or
receive an offer of employment), you may be able to request a change in your nonimmigrant
status to another category through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
See Change My Nonimmigrant Status on the USCIS website to learn more.
While you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from USCIS does not require
you to apply for a new visa.  However, once you depart the United States you must apply for
a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the appropriate category for your travel.

Additional Information
 An individual on a visitor visa (B1/B2) is not permitted to accept employment or
work in the United States.
 There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy
tickets until you have a visa.
 A valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. Unless canceled or revoked, a
visa is valid until its expiration date. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport,
do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your
expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the
United States.