The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for people traveling to the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Generally, the B-1 visa is for travelers consulting with business associates; attending scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions/conferences; settling an estate; or negotiating contracts. The B-2 visa is for travel that is recreational in nature, including tourism; visits with friends or relatives; medical treatment; and activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature. Often, the B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued as one visa: the B-1/B-2.
If you apply for a B-1/B-2 visa, you must demonstrate to a consular officer that you qualify for a U.S. visa in accordance with the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Section 214(b) of the INA presumes that every B-1/B-2 applicant is an intending immigrant. You must overcome this legal presumption by showing the following:
Personal or domestic employees and crew members working aboard vessels within the Outer Continental Shelf may qualify for B-1 visas under certain circumstances.
Some foreign nationals may be ineligible for visas according to The Immigration and Nationality Act. You can read more about The Immigration and Nationality Act and visa ineligibility here.
If you apply for a business/tourist visa, you must pay your $160 application fee and submit the following:
In addition to these items, you must present an interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service. You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.
Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.
Pay the visa application fee.
Schedule your appointment on this web page. You need the following three pieces of information in order to schedule your appointment:
Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General on the date and time of your visa interview. You must bring a printed copy of your appointment letter, your DS-160 confirmation page, one photograph taken within the last six months and your current and all old passports. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.
Supporting documents are only one of many factors a consular officer will consider in your interview. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural, and other factors during adjudication. Consular officers may look at your specific intentions, family situation, and your long-range plans and prospects within your country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.
Caution: Do not present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is of concern, the applicant should bring the documents to the Embassy or Consulate General in a sealed envelope. The Embassy or Consulate General will not make this information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of the information.
You must bring the following documents to your interview. Original documents are always preferred over photocopies and you must bring these documents with you to the interview. Do not fax, email or mail any supporting documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General.
Additionally, based on your purpose of travel, you should consider bringing the following:
Bring your school results, transcripts, and degrees/diplomas. Also bring evidence of financial support such as monthly bank statements, fixed deposit slips, or other evidence.
Bring an employment letter from your employer and pay slips from the most recent three months.
Bring evidence of your position in the company and remuneration.
You should provide proof that you have a genuine, ongoing relationship with the person inviting you, and provide information about his/her immigration status in the United States. The following documentation may be helpful: Household registration or other proof of genuine family relationship, photos with the U.S. family members in recent years, a copy of his/her U.S. passport or green card, a copy of his/her passport and U.S. visas, etc. If you previously stayed in the United States longer than the period granted at the U.S. port of entry, you should present the original letter of extension issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
If you were previously in the United States, any documents attesting to your immigration or visa status, particularly all previous U.S. visas, even if expired.
APEC travel card holders
Applicants with APEC travel cards are not exempt from the online scheduling requirement. To schedule an appointment online, please click here.
If you wish to travel to the United States for medical treatment, then you should be prepared to present the following documentation in addition to the documents listed above:
For more information about business and tourist visas, visit the Department of State's website.