Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Basic concepts for B-2 visa application
• Part 2 of 2: The interrogation process
• Warnings
• Necessities

Foreign citizens planning to enter the United States temporarily for medical treatment, tourism, or pleasure will be required to obtain a non-immigrant visa B-2. Tourist visas are usually granted for six months, although an additional six-month extension can be granted. While the process for obtaining a B-2 visa can follow the same general path, requirements and issuance times can vary by country. Follow these steps to obtain your B-2 visa.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Basic concepts for B-2 visa application

1. Know who needs a US Tourist Visa B-2 form. Any citizen of another country wishing to visit the United States must obtain a visa. The B-2 visa is the tourist visa. Standard activities covered by the B-2 visa are:
   • Tourism, holidays (or holidays), visiting friends or family, taking a short training course that does not qualify as support for a degree (it simply has to be for recreational purposes only), medical treatment, participating in social events organized by fraternities, social or service organizations, and participating in sporting or musical events (as long as one is not paid for participation.)
   • If you are traveling to the United States (USA) for a period of 90 days or less and are a resident of a participating country, you may be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. Visit travel.state.gov to see if you qualify or if your country is one of the participating countries.
2. Contact the embassy or consulate of the United States for your visa. While you can contact any US consular post, it may be easier to obtain the visa from the office that has jurisdiction over your permanent home address. It is also important to apply well in advance of the start of your trip as waiting times to complete the application process can vary by country.
   • Be aware that some embassies and consulates will guide you through the visa process in a different order than indicated here. Follow the directions of your embassy if they deviate from what is on this page.
3. Make an appointment for an interview with the embassy or consulate. This is necessary for applicants between the ages of 14 and 79. Unless asked, people of other ages do not need to have an interview.
   • Be aware that you will be able to apply for a visa at any US embassy or consulate, but it may be more difficult to obtain a visa from an embassy that is not in the country where you are lives.
4. Complete the online application. This is the DS-160 Online Non-Immigrant Visa Application. This application is completed online and sent to the Department of State website for review. The application determines your authority to enter the US on a B-2 visa. You can find this form here.
5. Choose the right photo. You must upload a photo to the visitor visa application. This photo must meet specific guidelines. These include:
   • The photo must be in color. (Black and white photos are not allowed.)
   • Your head in the photo should be between 22 and 35 mm, or between 50% and 69% of the height of the photo, measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin.
   • Must not be older than six months. You should not have taken this photo more than six months before you applied for your visa. This is because your photo should reflect what you look like now.
   • May only have a plain white wall as a background.
   • Your face should be pointed straight at the camera.
   • You should have a neutral expression, with both eyes open, and wear the clothes you wear every day (don't wear a uniform, though.)

Part 2 of 2: The interrogation process

1. Know that there are fees for visa applications. You may have to pay the non-refundable fee before actually going in for the interview. As of October 2013, this amount has been $ 160. You may also have to pay a visa reciprocity amount if it relates to your nationality. Find out if these charges apply to you at: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html
2. Gather the things you will need for your interview. Those articles are listed below.
   • Passport: This must be a valid passport that allows you to travel in the US. It must have an expiration date that is at least six months after the end of your trip.
   • Your DS-160 Application Confirmation Page: The actual application will be virtually sent ahead to the office, but you must bring your printed confirmation page, which you will receive after you complete the application.
   • A receipt of your application amount: You only need to bring this if you have to pay the amount for your interview.
   • Your photo: only bring it with you if your attempt to upload your photo to your DS-160 form has failed.
   • Your embassy or consulate may request that you bring other documents with you to your interview. Check their website to see if you need to bring anything else. These other documents may include proof that you can pay for your trip, or proof of the purpose of your trip.
3. Prepare for the interview with the consular officer. You will have to overcome the prejudice that you intend to become an immigrant. Evidence that you intend to enter the US for medical treatment, tourism, or pleasure.
4. Prepare your documents. You must show that you will only be staying for a period of time and that you, or someone in your name, have the means to pay for your maintenance while in the United States. You will need to show that you have strong ties abroad, including a residence that will ensure that you will return to the country of your permanent residence. If you are seeking medical treatment, you may need to show a diagnosis from your doctor, explaining the treatment you are seeking in the United States, and the facility or doctor offering the treatment. It should also indicate the cost and length of the treatment and you may be required to prove how the cost will be paid.
5. Know that your fingerprints will be taken. A digital scan of your fingerprints will be taken during the interview.
6. Know that your application may need further processing. Some applications take longer to process than others. The officer you speak to at the embassy or consulate will tell you whether your application needs further processing.
   • If your visa has been granted, it may be that a visa issuance reciprocity amount will be added to your expenses.
7. Know that there are no guarantees that you will receive a visa. Since there can be no certainty in advance that your visa will be approved, you will either have to wait to buy tickets or buy refundable tickets.

Warnings

• Deliberately re-proposing an important fact may result in your permanent denial of entry into the United States.
• Staying in the United States longer than is allowed is a violation of United States immigration laws.
• Your B-2 visa will allow you to travel to the United States port of entry. At that point, you will enter the U.S. Immigration inspector requesting permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the United States. If you are allowed to enter, you will receive a Form I-94 documenting your stay.

Necessities

• Form DS-160, this is the online electronic application for the non-immigrant visa.
• Your passport valid for travel to the United States. This must be valid for at least six months after your planned period of stay, unless there is an exception.
• Your photo with a size of 51x51 mm.
• A proof of payment that shows that you have paid the costs for processing the visa application.