B1 B2 Visa
Tourist & Business Visitor Visa Applications
For Travel To The USA
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Important B1/B2 Information – Please Read
The B1 B2 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued to applicants planning short-term travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes. The visa is affixed directly into the applicant’s passport and combines the B1 Visa for business activities with the B2 Visa for tourism purposes.
Applicants holding a B1/B2 Visa are permitted to travel for vacations, business meetings, family visits, medical treatments, or attending conferences. It remains one of the most frequently issued visas for entry into the United States but is also subject to one of the highest rates of refusal. Employment, academic studies, or long-term stays in the United States are not authorized under this visa category.
Other USA Visa Options:
To begin the B1 B2 Visa application process, please click the link below:
Start ApplicationThe B1 B2 Visa does not confer permanent resident status; it is a temporary visa; nevertheless, the bearer may apply for a green card. 180 days is the maximum duration permitted for a B1 B2 visa.
What is a B1 B2 visa?
The B1/B2 Visa is a combined nonimmigrant visa placed within the applicant’s passport, authorizing short-term entry to the United States for either business or tourism purposes.
Activities permitted under the B1/B2 Visa include business meetings, attending professional conferences, family visits, vacations, or receiving medical treatment. This visa is the most frequently issued for entry into the United States; however, it also experiences the highest rate of refusal. Visa holders are not permitted to engage in employment or study while in the United States.
The standard validity of a B1/B2 Visa is 10 years, allowing multiple visits lasting up to 6 months each. If your passport expires before the visa does, your visa remains valid—simply travel with both the expired and the new passports.
Difference between the B1 and B2 Visa
The B1 Visa is specifically intended for applicants traveling to the United States on business-related visits. Such business activities include contract negotiations, attending meetings or training, participating in conferences, or similar professional engagements.
The B2 Visa is exclusively for individuals traveling for tourism, leisure, or medical treatment.
Permitted Activities under the B1/B2 Visa
Applicants traveling on a B1/B2 Visa are authorized to participate in activities such as, but not limited to:
- Business meetings or contract negotiations
- Attendance at educational, professional, or business conferences
- Handling matters related to a relative’s estate
- Tourism and leisure activities
- Visiting family members
- Receiving medical treatment
- Participating in events like concerts or classes (provided no payment or remuneration is received)
B1 B2 Visa Required Documents
Applicants must explicitly demonstrate:
- That the visit to the U.S. is temporary
- They possess adequate funds to independently finance the entire trip
- No intention to seek extended stay or permanent residence in the U.S.
- Continued maintenance of a primary residence outside the United States
To qualify for a B1 Visa or B2 Visa, applicants must clearly demonstrate eligibility by providing evidence of their temporary intent and financial ability to cover travel-related expenses.
In addition, they must demonstrate that they do not intend to extend their stay in the United States and have not abandoned a residency outside the United States.
Applicants must explicitly demonstrate:
- That the visit to the U.S. is temporary
- They possess adequate funds to independently finance the entire trip
- No intention to seek extended stay or permanent residence in the U.S.
- Continued maintenance of a primary residence outside the United States
Before applying for a B1 B2 Visa, you must ensure that you have the following documents:
A passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from the U.S.
One recent digital photograph meeting specified visa standards
Documentation of your five most recent visits to the U.S. (if applicable)
Evidence of sufficient finances covering the entire cost of your trip, including airfare
Proof of binding ties to your home country, such as employment contracts, family obligations, or property ownership, demonstrating an intention to return after your visit
B1 Visa
The B1 Visa specifically covers visits related solely to business activities. Frequently, the B1 Visa is issued in combination with the B2 Visa, allowing holders to participate in both business and tourism purposes. A previously issued B1/B2 Visa obtained for tourism purposes may also be valid for future business visits.
Activities permitted under the B1 Visa include:
- Contract negotiations
- Discussing or soliciting purchases and investments
- Making business-related purchases or investments
- Actively participating in business meetings or conferences
B2 Visa
The B2 visa is a standard nonimmigrant visa type intended for short-term tourism, leisure activities, or medical treatment in the U.S. If your ESTA application (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is denied, obtaining a B2 Visa is the recommended alternative. Applicants intending to pursue academic studies, employment, or crew-member positions must apply separately for the appropriate visa category.
Permitted activities under the B2 Visa include:
- Medical treatment
- Recreational activities
- Visiting relatives
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Volunteer service activities (without remuneration)
- Amateur participation in musical performances, sports events, or contests
Applicants should submit their completed visa application, including all supporting documents, at least 15 working days prior to their intended date of travel.
B1/B2 Visa Application Process
As part of the application process, you must attend an interview.
- Fill out our online form – ensure you choose ‘B1/B2 Visa’ from the list.
- Provide a photograph to be used for your visa.
- Print the DS-160 confirmation documentation we send to you by email.
- Schedule an interview with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country.
You must give digital fingerprint scans. A photograph must be provided for your visa application.
The consular officer may conclude that your application requires additional processing and inform you accordingly.
For detailed information on specific parts of the visa process, you can refer to the links in the table on the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
USA Visa Types
Any foreign national wishing to travel to the United States must have a visa. If a B1/B2 visa is not suitable for your travel, there are several options depending on the purpose of your visit:
Entry To The United States
Processing times for visa interviews vary depending on jurisdiction, season, and the type of visa you require. Applicants should schedule visa appointments as early as possible to accommodate potential waiting periods.
The B1/B2 Visa authorizes entry to a U.S. port-of-entry, where the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials conduct entry assessments. Visa approval does not guarantee admission; final entry permission is determined exclusively by CBP officers upon arrival.
B1/B2 Visa Interview Questions
Applicants should anticipate a visa interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy where the application was submitted. Officers conducting the interview typically inquire about the applicant’s travel intentions, immigration history, and ties to their home country.
Commonly asked interview questions include:
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- Have you previously traveled to the United States?
- When is your intended date of travel?
- Have you booked return travel tickets?
- Which states do you intend to visit?
- Have you ever been denied a U.S. visa previously?
- Do you have relatives residing in the United States?
- Who will be your primary contact or sponsor in the U.S.?
- Where will you stay during your visit?
- Will you be traveling alone or accompanied?
- How long do you intend to remain in the United States?
- Can you demonstrate your strong connections to your country of residence?
- What is your current occupation?
- Do you intend to engage in employment within the United States?
- What is your annual income?
Additionally, general questions regarding personal finances, health conditions, or familial circumstances may arise during the interview. Applicants may bring supporting documents, such as recent bank statements, employment records, and property documents, to substantiate their responses.
Applicants aged over 80 or those renewing a recently expired B1/B2 visa may qualify for an interview waiver.