Renewal of your U.S. tourism and business visa
If your B1/B2 tourism and business visa is expired or is nearing its expiration date, you must begin the process of renewing your U.S. visa.
You will need this valid document to travel to the United States and to freely participate in the activities authorized by your approved visa.
Find out who can renew a U.S. visa and how to carry out this process, as well as other useful information to obtain your new document.
Who can request a U.S. visa renewal?
Anyone who has a U.S. tourist/business visa, whether it has already expired or will expire soon, is eligible to renew the visa.
In either case, you will need to start a United States visa application.
Please note: some U.S. visa renewal applicants may meet certain criteria that make them eligible for an interview waiver.
Requirements to renew a U.S. visa
These are the requirements to renew a U.S. tourist/business visa:
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The visa you intend to renew must still be valid or have expired within the last 12 months. -
You must renew the same type of visa as the one you currently hold, which in this case is a U.S. tourist/business visa. If you need a different U.S. visa, you must start a new process.
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The renewal must be processed from the same country from which the visa was originally authorized. The application must be submitted to the embassy that issued the visa.
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You must have a valid passport.
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You must not have been arrested or convicted of any type of crime.
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You must not have been deported from U.S. territory
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You must have an e-mail address
Please remember: It is not possible to renew an U.S. visa from the United States. A U.S. visa cannot be renewed if a new one has previously been requested and it has been denied. In this case, you must reapply for the first visa again.
How to renew your U.S. visa step-by-step
The process to renew your B1/B2 tourist or business visa is similar to the one that must be carried out when applying for this document for the first time. The steps may vary according to the consulate or embassy from which the request is made. However, these generally include:
- Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160) on the Department of State site
- Upload a photograph that meets the characteristics established by the U.S. authorities
- Print the form confirmation page
- Access and create a user account on the web site of the official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service
- Schedule an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) to have your biometric data collected, if applicable, and/or at the U.S. embassy for the consular interview (in case you do not qualify for an interview waiver)
- Attend the interview at the embassy or consulate
The appointment to renew a visa is not a mandatory requirement and depends on the situation of each applicant. However, you may have to visit the embassy or consulate with your DS-160 form and supporting documentation.
Who is eligible to have the interview requirement waived?
Applicants who meet the following conditions may qualify for an interview waiver when applying for the renewal of their B1/B2 tourist and business visa:
- Applicants who are under the age of 14. Please note: at least one of their parents must have a valid document to travel to the U.S. (visa, ESTA or U.S. passport)
- Applicants are over 80 years of age
- Applicants who have a valid B1/B2 tourist and business visa, or which expired less than 1 year ago
However, eligibility for a visa interview waiver is determined based on the answers you provide during the appointment scheduling process.
This option gives you the possibility of requesting the digital renewal of your U.S. tourist/business visa. To do this, you will have to mail the required documents to the embassy or consulate. Keep in mind that each country works with its own provider of this service.
It is advisable to contact the U.S. consular representative in your country to find out the specifications regarding the provider and other details that you should consider.
Important: Consular officers reserve the right to request an interview for any visa applicant, regardless of whether or not they qualify for a waiver.
How much does it cost to renew your B1/B2 tourism and business visa?
The cost of the U.S. tourist/business visa renewal application is exactly the same as when applying for the visa for the first time. In other words: 185 USD, which correspond to the visa application fee.
This amount must be paid according to the instructions of the United States embassy in each country.
Renew your U.S. visa in the easiest way possible
If you wish to renew your B1/B2 tourist and business visa, USVisaWizard offers an alternative to make the application process more friendly. To do this, we feature the following benefits:
- Simplified and accessible DS-160 form
- Instructions to pay the MRV fee: you will receive specific instructions to pay the MRV fee to renew your U.S. visa in your country.
- Instructions on how to request the interview waiver: we will notify you if you are eligible to apply for your U.S. visa without having to attend an interview and we will give you the relevant instructions to proceed
- We schedule the appointment at the VAC and/or the embassy in case the interview waiver is not granted. We will do so based on the available day and time that best suit your convenience
Keep in mind: when using USVisaWizard services you must pay our service fee (159 USD) in addition to the U.S visa application fee (185 USD).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an U.S. visa valid?
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B1/B2 business and tourist visas—which rank among the most sought-after nonimmigrant visas—are usually valid for up to 10 years.
However, it is the consular officers who establish the final duration of this document during the processing procedure.
How long can my visa be expired before I renew it?
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Your current B1/B2 U.S. tourist or business visa must have been expired for less than 12 months to apply for a visa renewal.
Can I renew my visa before it expires?
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Yes. If your visa is about to expire, you need to renew it. It will be necessary to follow an U.S. visa renewal process.
The U.S. consular section accepts renewal applications for many visas without the need for a personal interview.
How long will it take for my new visa to arrive?
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The time in which you receive your visa renewal may vary. In some cases, it can take about four weeks to receive your new document.
Other consular representations indicate that the process "can be extensive." It is advisable to contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country to find out the estimated times in your area.
Do I need an appointment to renew my visa?
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In some cases you may need an appointment to renew your U.S. visa.
Applicants who are renewing their visa for the United States, or who meet certain age requirements, are usually exempt from an interview. Being eligible for the interview waiver depends on the answers given to the questions on the application form.
Consular officers reserve the right to request an interview for any visa applicant.
Do I need to renew the visa if my passport has expired, but the visa is still valid?
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It is not necessary. If you have a valid visa, which is not damaged and is appropriate according to the reason for the trip, you must travel with both the expired passport and the new one.
Important: the name and other personal information must be the same in both passports. The nationality of the new passport must match the one shown on the travel document containing the visa.