If you want to visit the US for business and tourism purposes, you need to apply for US Visitor Visa online, but it can be difficult to get. There are so many guidelines and eligibility criteria that we need to take care of. That's the reason, we are here to solve your query about How To Apply For US Visitor Visa.
In this comprehensive guide, we include eligibility criteria, a document list, and the fees to apply for US Visa.
There are two types of Visitor Visas B-1 and B-2, generally B-1 visa applicable for traveling in the United States, and B-2 visa for medical treatment in the US.
The B-1 Visa is applicable for temporary business meetings, attending scientific, and business conferences, and for professional purposes.
The B-2 is for travel including medical treatment, visits with relatives, and tourism. Apart from that, B-1 and B-2 are combined and issued as B-1/B-2 visas.
To further proceed, you may need to know how to renew OCI Card in the USA.
B-1 Visa-Travel Purpose Permitted | B-2 Travel Purpose Visitor Visa Permitted | Not-Permitted By US Visitor Visa |
1. Business Conferences | 1. Tourism & Vacation Visa | 1. Work |
2. Attending a Business Meeting | 2. Visiting Friends & Family Home | 2. Studies |
3. Business/Professional conferences. | 3. Medical Emergency | 3. Arrived as a Crew Member of an aircraft or a ship. |
4. Attending Scientific Conferences | 4. Participating in any Social Events and cultural events | 4. If the person was a permanent resident in the United States. |
If you want to apply for a B-1/B-2 Visa, you need to explain to a consular office that you qualify for the US Visitor Visa. Here are the details, you need to show to the visa consular, while if you apply for the B-1/B-2 Visa.
1. First thing you need to tell them the purpose of your trip. It's a business, medical, or other temporary visit.
2. You need to specify the particular time period.
3. Submit your evidence of funds, travel bookings, and other things.
If you're applying for a US Visitor Visa, you need to gather all these documents to begin the application. The documents can be divided into two parts first is required documents and the other one is supporting documents.
The required documents are required to fill the application form and in the supporting documents, we need to show US officials that we not traveling in the United States for immigration.
Note: If you want to check location-specific documents visit the US Embassies Directory.
If you have friends and family living in the United States, so don't need a Visa to travel to India, just need an OCI Card in USA.
1. Passport: You need to show a valid passport and it must be valid beyond the date you plan to leave the United States. If your passport expires in the United States, you need to apply for Indian Passport Renewal in USA.
2. Travel Itinerary: Show all the arrangements and bookings where you plan to stay in the US.
3. If you previously traveled to the US, so show the last five visits and trips.
4. You may need to show your resume, it's all about your current work history and previous.
5. DS-160 Application Form.
6 One passport-size photo 2"x2" (5cmx5cm) is required and it should be taken within the last six months.
7. Fee receipt, that you paid in the local currency.
8. Visiting Relative: Show your relative identity proof like a Green Card, Valid Visa, Naturalization Certificate, etc.
The supporting documents are required to show the consular officer at the time of the interview. So please do not submit any false documents, it may result in permanent visa ineligibility.
Here is a list of documents, you should bring to the US Embassy in an envelope.
1. Current Income Proof.
2. Explanation of trip and travel itinerary.
3. A letter from your office, which shows your current salary, employment, position, and how long you have been employed.
You need to bring 10, 12th certificate, graduation, and post-graduation degree. Bring evidence of finances like bank statements, FD, property papers, and other documents.
Bring your employment letter, and pay slips for the last three months.
Evidence of your company position and remuneration.
1. In this, a Doctor who treated you needs to explain everything and the valid reason you requested treatment in the United States.
2. A Mail or a letter from the medical facility or from the hospital to the United States, expressing a treatment in the US.
3. Financial and bank statements of the individuals.
If you're planning to apply for a B-1/B-2 US Visitor Visa, so you should follow all the steps provided below.
Step 1: Complete DS-160 Form
You need to fill out the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application form in English only. If you want to apply OCI Card, so you need to fill OCI Card Application at the VFS Site.
Step 2: Do Research
Each country has its requirements, so use the directory of U.S. embassies in the starting.
Step 3: Double Check The Application
After completing the DS-160 application form, you need to double-check all the details you filled in. Sometimes, we missed the information and left out important points.
Step 4: Pay Application Fee
Now, you need to pay the required fee.
Step 5: Schedule Your Appointment
After that, you can schedule your appointment with this information;
1. CGI Reference Number in the Visa Fee.
2. Your current passport number
3. Your D-160 ten-digit bar code number.
Step 6: Prepared For Your Interview
Keep track of everything, and at the time of the interview make sure you gather all the documents whether (supporting and required) and copies of the documents.
Here is the list of photo requirements, you should look into this;
1. The photo you carry for the interview and on the of filling out the application. So it should be in color.
2. The measurement of the photo is 2"x2" (5cmx5cm).
3. Recent Photos ( less than 6 months old).
4. The photo should be clicked on a white background.
5. Don't use any earphones, or headphones at the time of the picture.
The fee for a US Visit Visa varies depending on your current nationality. Applicants need to pay the fees at the application filling or your interview.
The fees paid for the application are non-refundable. Always be prepared to pay the fees in USD or its equivalent to local currency.
The Fee for a US Visitor Visa (B1/B2) is $185.
S.No |
Visa Type |
Visa For |
1. |
B-1 |
Business |
2. |
B-2 |
Tourism, Medical Treatment |
3. |
Transit C |
Transit |
4. |
Transit C-1 |
Transit |
5. |
D, C-1/D |
Crewmember |
6. |
H-1B, L1 |
For Work |
7. |
H-1B Dependents |
Family, Spouse who is H-1B visa holders. |
8. |
J1 |
Exchange |
In conclusion, to apply for a US visa you need to fill out an application for issuing a Visitor Visa. A visitor visa in the US is in the name of a B-1 and B-2 Visa, where a B-1 is mainly issued if you are going on a business trip whereas a B-2 is issued in case you are going for tourism and meeting someone. A visitor Visa is for a limited period only, generally, it is for 6 months and can be extended for 1 year. The fee that needs to be paid while issuing the Visa is $185 but this depends on the Country you belong. When applying for a US visitor visa most important thing is to fill your application perfectly so that there should be no delay, generally, you get your Visa within 21 working days from the date you applied.
B-1/b-2 visa is a visitor visa only, that allows non-immigrant foreign citizens to visit the US for a limited time period.
B-1 visas are generally issued for short-period business trips, while b-2 are generally issued for tourism or to meet a friend or family.
Generally, a visitor visa is allowed for 6 months on a b-visa, in case you want to live for a longer period this can be expandable to 1 year.
No, you can not join any office or work while being on a visitor visa, you can visit for business purposes, tourism, and or a combination of both.
The fee for a visitor visa is $185.00, but this price may vary for the nationality you hold, the fee is different for some other countries.
Visitor processing time is around 21 working days, you will have your us visitor visa within 21 working days from the time you applied.