US B-2 Tourist Visitor Visa

Who is this visa for?

• Tourists and holidaymakers sightseeing across the United States
• People visiting family members, relatives or friends
• Patients travelling for private medical treatment at a US hospital or clinic
• People attending social, cultural or recreational events, festivals or reunions
• Amateur enthusiasts taking a short recreational course that earns no academic credit

What you can do with a B-2 visa

• Take a holiday, go sightseeing and travel for tourism
• Visit family members, relatives or friends who live in the United States
• Receive private medical treatment, and travel with a patient as a companion where appropriate
• Attend social events hosted by fraternal, social or service organisations
• Take part in music, sports or similar events or contests as an amateur, provided you are not paid
• Enrol in a short recreational course of study that is not for credit toward a degree (for example a short cookery or craft class taken while on holiday)

Requirements

A consular officer must be satisfied that your trip is genuine, temporary and for tourism, family or medical reasons. You will generally need to show:

• Your visit is temporary and for tourism, visiting family, or medical treatment
• You intend to leave the United States at the end of your stay
• You have funds to cover your trip, or a host or family member who will support you
• For medical travel, a diagnosis and a US provider willing to treat you, plus how the costs will be paid
• You have strong family, social or economic ties to your home country that will draw you back
• You do not intend to work, study for credit, or settle in the United States

How to apply

• Complete the online DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form and print the confirmation page
• Pay the MRV visa application fee (currently around US$185 for a B visa — confirm the latest amount)
• Schedule and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate (required for most applicants aged 14–79)
• Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, a compliant photo and evidence of your trip and ties home
• For medical trips, bring letters from your local doctor and the US provider, and proof you can pay for treatment and living costs

B-2 vs B-1: which do you need?

The B-2 and B-1 are the two halves of the US visitor visa, and the difference is the purpose of your trip.

Choose B-2 if your visit is entirely for tourism, family or medical reasons. Choose B-1 if you are travelling for business activities such as meetings, conferences or negotiations. If your single trip mixes both, most applicants are issued the combined B-1/B-2 rather than a pure B-2. Neither visa allows paid employment or study that earns academic credit.