If you are looking to travel to the U.S. for a short stay of up to 90 days you will need to apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa if you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. Here we outline the rules and requirements for the B-1 and B-2 visa and how to apply.
Written by Nigel Ayres, CEO of Expat Network
There are two Nonimmigrant Visas for short term stays of up to 90 days. Here are the permitted purposes of travel under the Nonimmigrant Visas:
- B-1 Visa – Business
- Consult with business associates
- Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
- Settle an estate
- Negotiate a contract
- B-2 Visa – Tourism
- 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)
Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Visitor Visas
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 crewmember on a ship or aircraft
- Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
- Permanent residence in the United States
- 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 for a B-1 or B-2 Visa
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 identify your local embassy or consult for instructions on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.
- Complete the Online Visa Application
- Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Complete Form DS-160 online and then print a copy to take to your interview – Learn more about completing the DS-160.
- Photo – Your photo will need to be uploaded as you complete Form DS-160 online. Your photo must meet the Photograph Requirements.
- Schedule an Interview
You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You can arrange an interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate but in some cases it may be more difficult to demonstrate your qualifications 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.
Prepare for Your Interview
Fees
You will need to pay the non-refundable visa application fee and you may also need to pay a visa issuance fee on approval of your application, if applicable to your nationality.
Documentation
You should obtain and prepare the required documents before your visa interview:
- Passport valid for travel to the U.S. – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the U.S. (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). A separate application is required for each individual who needs a visa, including any family members listed in your passport.
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160.
- Application fee payment receipt.
- You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160.
Additional documents may be requested by some embassies and consulates to establish if you are qualified. This may include evidence of:
- The purpose of your trip,
- Your intent to depart the U.S. after your trip, and/or
- Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.
Visa Interview
You will be interviewed by a consular officer to determine whether you are qualified for a visitor 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.
You will be informed if your application requires further administrative processing to obtain evidence from other sources to support your application.
Entering the United States
A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have the authority to permit or deny admission to the U.S.. If you are permitted to enter the U.S., the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
Extending Your Stay
Failure to depart the U.S. on time will result in being out of status. Visas of anyone out of status are automatically voided. Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the U.S..
Failure to depart the U.S. on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas in the future. See Visa Denials and Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws.
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.
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. See Change My Nonimmigrant Status on the USCIS website.
While you are in the U.S., receiving a change of status from USCIS does not require you to apply for a new visa. However, once you depart the U.S. you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the appropriate category for your travel.
