U.S. tourist / business visa application
Foreigners who wish to visit the United States for tourism or business purposes must normally obtain a U.S. tourist/business visa that authorizes their travel to the country.
This travel permit falls under the category of non-immigrant visitor visas for temporary business visits (B1 visa) or tourism (B2 visa) which is offered by the U.S. Department of State.
The B1/B2 tourist and business visa groups together both categories.
Apply for a U.S. VisaApply for a U.S. tourist/business visa
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Fill out our 100% official compliance DS-160 form. -
Payment for our service (159 USD) and visa application fee (185 USD). -
We schedule your interview appointment for you at the embassy / consulate. -
Go to your interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. -
Retrieve your passport with the visa and travel to the United States.
Who can apply for a U.S. visa?
Travelers from countries not listed in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and who are traveling to the United States for tourism or business purposes must apply for a B1/B2 non-immigrant U.S. visa.
However, there are other cases in which a foreign citizen must process a visitor visa for the United States:
- Travelers from countries included in the VWP but whose ESTA electronic authorization applications have been rejected
- Visitors from VWP countries who have traveled to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Somalia or Yemen after March 2011
- Dual citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria
What can I do with a U.S. tourist / business visa?
Apply for a B1/B2 U.S. visa if your reason for traveling to the United States is one of the following:
- Vacation
- Visiting friends or family
- Medical treatment
- Participation in social or service events of organizations and others, events, sports or uncompensated musical contests
- Short and recreational study course that does not lead to an official degree
Business:
- Meetings with business partners
- Attend scientific, educational, professional or business conventions or conferences
- Settle an inheritance
- Negotiate a contract
Requirements to obtain your U.S. tourist / business visa
To process your American tourist and business visa you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of intended stay in the United States. You will also need to present previous passports in case you already have a visa assigned
- Confirmation page of the U.S. visa application form DS-160
- Proof of payment of the visa application fee
- A 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inch) color photograph no more than 6 months old.
Other documentation is not required unless you are traveling for medical reasons.
Additionally, at the time of the consular interview at the United States Embassy in your country, you may be required to present additional documents that provide evidence of:
- The reason for your trip to the United States
- Your intention to leave the country once your visit comes to an end
- Financial resources to cover the expenses of your trip to the country
- Employment or family ties that support the purpose of the trip and of your intention to return to your country of origin
- A third party can pay for your travel expenses if you are unable to do so yourself
How much is the fee for a tourism and business visa?
Processing your B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa application requires visa application fee payment. This covers the costs of processing the document by the U.S. authorities.
The fee amount depends on the visa you apply for. When it comes to the tourism/business visa, the cost is 185 USD.
Note: this amount is non-refundable.
How to apply for your U.S. visa step by step
The process for obtaining your U.S. tourist/business visa includes the following steps:
- Complete the DS-160 form] for non-immigrant visa online applications.
- Start the application by registering on the website of the online application center of the U.S. Department of State.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Schedule your consular appointment at the United States embassy in your country. Note: for some countries you will also need to schedule an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) for your digital fingerprinting and photograph (biometric data)
- Attend the consular interview at the U.S. embassy. Note: you will need to prepare the necessary documentation, i.e., the printed confirmation page of your appointment.
- Follow the instructions of the consular officer to pick up or receive your passport with the approved visa
We simplify the processing of the U.S. tourist/business visa
Here are the main benefits of working with us:
- DS-160 application form simplified and 100% official compliance
- Retrieve your form whenever you wish
- Detailed instructions to pay the visa application fee
- We schedule the appointments for you (VAC/embassy interview)
- We send you a guide to prepare you for your interview
- Assistance from our agents
Keep in mind that when processing the tourist / business visa with USVisaWizard you must pay the cost of our service plus the visa application fee of the U.S. Department of State.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I remain in the United States with a tourism or business visa?
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The length of stay granted on your U.S. visa will be determined by the Customs and Border Protection immigration officer upon arrival and may vary from applicant to applicant.
In most cases, tourists holding an American visitor visa are allowed to stay in the United States for up to 90 days. The length of stay allowed will be indicated on the Form I-94 that the traveler will present upon arrival in the country.
How long must my passport be valid to apply for a visa?
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A visa applicant's passport must remain valid throughout their stay and 6 months after their estimated date of departure from the United States.
How long is the tourism or business visa valid?
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The period of validity of an American visitor visa is determined in the interview with the consulate. Most of the time, a tourist or business visa will be valid for up to 10 years. However, this may vary depending on the information provided by the applicant.
The validity of the U.S. visa does not represent the time you are allowed to stay in the United States but the total duration of the visa, which can cover multiple temporary entries to the country.
How long does it take to get the visa?
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After the interview, the consular agent will retain your passport if your U.S. visa is approved, and it will be returned to you, along with the visa, after approximately 7 working days.
You will receive an email with detailed information about the delivery of your passport when it is ready to be picked up.
Can I renew my visa for the United States?
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If you have a visa for the United States that expired no more than 12 months ago, you can apply to renew it.
To renew your U.S. visa, fill out the visa renewal application form with your personal, passport, contact information, as well as your purpose of travel. Some visa renewal applicants are eligible for a consular interview waiver.
How can I apply for visas for a family / group?
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It is possible to make a joint visa application for a group or family traveling together.
When making a family / group application you can benefit from a reduced fee from the second applicant, as well as save time and effort by making a single application and coordinating appointments at the embassy.
Once the requested visas are approved, you will receive your passports and will be able to travel to the United States.