B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa — United States

The B-1/B-2 visa is for those who want to enter the United States temporarily for business, tourism, or both. It’s nonimmigrant, meaning you’re expected to leave when your visit ends.

Permitted activities

Your activities must match what you list on your visa application, including the Form DS-160 submitted to the U.S. Department of State.

You may qualify if you plan to:

• Travel to the United States for temporary business purposes (B-1)
• Visit for tourism or personal travel (B-2)
• Combine both business and tourism during the same trip (B-1/B-2)

This visa doesn’t offer permanent residence or immigrant benefits. It’s strictly for temporary visits.

If you’re a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country, you may be able to visit for up to 90 days for business or tourism using an approved ESTA authorization instead of a B-1/B-2 visa. Travelers who plan to study, work, or stay longer usually need a different category — such as an F-1 student visa, M-1 vocational student visa, or J-1 exchange visitor visa.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) manages immigration benefits inside the U.S., but the U.S. Department of State issues visas. CBP makes the final call at the port of entry.

You’ll need to state your purpose as a visitor or tourist clearly on your DS-160 and at your visa interview.

Visa categories

The visitor visa includes three related classifications, each tied to your trip’s purpose.

All three fall under the nonimmigrant visitor visa category.

You select the classification when filling out Form DS-160. The consular officer from the U.S. Department of State decides which visa category you’ll get based on your purpose and eligibility.

No matter the category, you need to show your visit is temporary and limited to approved visitor activities.

The U.S. Department of State manages the B-1/B-2 application, interview, and visa-issuance process. USCIS is relevant only when a separate petition or immigration benefit is involved; it does not provide or process Form DS-160.

Complete Form DS-160

Complete Form DS-160 through the State Department’s Consular Electronic Application Center. Enter information that matches your passport and travel plans, save the application ID, review the form, and submit it electronically.

After submission, print and bring the DS-160 barcode confirmation page to the interview so the consular post can retrieve the application. You do not need to print the full application.

Pay the fee and schedule the interview

Follow the country-specific instructions from the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply:

1. Pay the nonrefundable visa application processing fee using the post’s approved payment method.

2. Schedule the interview through the appointment service linked by that embassy or consulate.

3. Check the post’s document, photo, and delivery instructions.

Appointment availability varies by location. Use the State Department’s Global Visa Wait Times page for current estimates, then confirm details with the specific post.

Attend the interview

Bring your passport and any location-specific documents listed by the embassy or consulate, along with the barcode page described above. A Department of State consular officer reviews the application and decides whether to issue the visa.

There is no separate B-1/B-2 form to download from USCIS. Use the official State Department visitor-visa guidance and DS-160 instructions for this consular process.

The U.S. Department of State sets B-1/B-2 visa fees and publishes interview appointment estimates. These are separate from USCIS filing fees for immigration benefits handled inside the United States.

Application and issuance fees

The State Department’s current public fee schedule lists the B-category application fee as $185. Check the official Fees for Visa Services page and your post’s payment instructions immediately before paying.

Interview appointment wait times

Form DS-160 does not have a months-long “processing time.” The useful pre-interview measure is the appointment wait at the embassy or consulate where you apply. The State Department updates its Global Visa Wait Times table monthly with:

• The average B-1/B-2 interview wait during the previous month, where reported
• The estimated time until the next available B-1/B-2 appointment

These figures are estimates, not guarantees. Posts add appointment slots regularly, and the published wait does not include administrative processing after the interview or passport delivery time.

Do not buy nonrefundable tickets based only on an appointment estimate. Confirm the current process and availability with the embassy or consulate where you will apply.

Follow the document instructions for the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will interview. Requirements can vary by post and by the circumstances disclosed in your application.

Core interview documents

You do not need to print the complete DS-160 application.

Evidence related to the trip

The State Department says additional documents may be requested to establish:

• The purpose of the trip
• Your intent to leave the United States after the temporary visit
• Your ability to pay the trip’s costs

Useful evidence depends on the application. It may include an itinerary, an employer letter for a business visit, proof of available funds, or records showing ongoing employment, study, family, or other commitments outside the United States. No single document guarantees approval.

Bring prior USCIS notices only when they are relevant to your immigration history or the information disclosed in the application. USCIS does not issue the B-1/B-2 visa.

Keep originals and copies organized, and make sure every supporting document is consistent with the application and the answers you plan to give at the interview.

A strong B-1/B-2 application is accurate, internally consistent, and clear about the temporary purpose of the trip. Extra paperwork cannot cure an application that gives conflicting answers or does not fit permitted visitor activities.

Before submitting

• Use the name, passport details, travel history, and employment information exactly as they appear in your records.
• Save the application ID so you can return to an unfinished application.
• Review every answer before submission; after submission, corrections may require a new application and post-specific instructions.
• Use a recent photograph that meets State Department requirements.

Common avoidable mistakes

If a material answer is wrong after submission, follow the embassy or consulate’s instructions rather than attempting to conceal or improvise around the error. Prior refusals, arrests, overstays, misrepresentation concerns, or uncertain eligibility can justify advice from a qualified U.S. immigration attorney.

A B1/B2 visitor visa lets you request entry to the United States for business (B1) or tourism (B2). The actual period of stay depends on what happens at the port of entry and what’s listed on your admission record.

Entry records & arrival

A B1/B2 visa doesn’t guarantee admission. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) decides whether to admit you when you arrive.

If CBP admits you, the officer issues proof of admission in one of these forms:

• An admission stamp in your passport
• A paper Form I‑94, Arrival/Departure Record

Your Form I‑94 is the official evidence of:

• Your immigration classification (B1, B2, or B1/B2)
• The date you were admitted
• The date your authorized stay ends

Review your admission record immediately after entry. If the classification or dates are wrong, address the issue promptly through the appropriate government agency, such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), if needed.

Your Form DS-160 confirmation and visa issuance by the U.S. Department of State only allow you to travel to a U.S. port of entry. CBP determines how long you can remain.

Passport validity

You must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.

Some countries have agreements with the United States that provide exceptions to the six‑month validity rule. If your country qualifies, your passport may be considered valid for a longer period than the expiration date printed in it.

Before traveling, check:

• Your passport expiration date
• Whether your country has a six‑month validity exemption
• That your passport will not expire during your authorized stay

If your passport expires too soon, CBP may limit your admission period to match your passport’s validity. Renew your passport before travel if it doesn’t meet the required period.

Duration and limits

Your authorized stay as a visitor does not automatically match your visa’s expiration date. The visa is for travel; your Form I‑94 controls how long you may remain.

As a general rule, CBP admits B-2 tourists for up to six months per entry. B-1 business visitors are usually admitted for a shorter period that matches the business purpose of the trip — often just the weeks needed for meetings or a specific activity, rather than a full six months. The exact period is set by the CBP officer and recorded on your Form I‑94.

You must:

1. Enter the United States in B1 or B2 status.

2. Remain only until the date listed on your admission record.

3. Depart the United States on or before that date.

If you need more time, you can request an extension of stay by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS before your authorized stay ends. Filing does not guarantee approval, and you generally should not assume you can remain past your I‑94 date while a request is pending unless USCIS instructs otherwise.

Staying beyond the authorized period on your admission record violates your status. Your Form I‑94 is always the controlling document.

Keep copies of your admission stamp and any paper Form I‑94 with your travel records. These documents are your proof that you maintained lawful visitor status during your stay.

A B1/B2 visitor visa application requires accuracy and preparation. Filing the application doesn’t guarantee approval.

When to seek expert help

Consider professional help if you feel unsure about any part of the Form DS-160 or your supporting documents. Even small inconsistencies can affect how a consular officer sees your application.

Seek help if:

• You struggle to complete the DS-160 accurately
• Your travel purpose isn’t clearly business (B1) or tourism (B2)
• You’re uncertain about how to present your visitor/tourist plans
• You previously applied and didn’t receive approval
• You worry that your application may raise questions

Submitting Form DS-160 and attending an interview through the U.S. Department of State process doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive a visa.

If you’re unsure, don’t guess. Errors can create avoidable problems.

What a professional can help with

A qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative can review your DS-160 before you submit it. They’ll check for inconsistencies, missing details, and unclear answers.

They can also:

1. Clarify whether your trip fits the B1 (business) or B2 (tourist) category

2. Help you describe your travel purpose in clear, specific terms

3. Prepare you for the visa interview conducted by the U.S. Department of State

4. Identify weak points in your application and address them directly

Professionals do not control visa decisions. The U.S. Department of State issues visas, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines admission at the port of entry.

You remain responsible for your application, but informed guidance helps you submit it with more confidence and accuracy.

You must confirm that your purpose for travel matches the B1 or B2 visitor classification and follow the correct application steps. Careful review of instructions reduces delays and prevents avoidable denials.

Who can apply

You may apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa if you plan to travel to the United States temporarily as a Visitor/tourist and you follow the required process.

You must:

• Select the correct visa classification (B1, B2, or combined B1/B2).
• Complete the Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
• Follow the application procedures issued by the U.S. Department of State.
• Provide information that matches the purpose of your trip.

The U.S. Department of State manages visa applications and interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) handles immigration benefits inside the United States, not visa issuance abroad.

Apply under the category that fits your travel purpose.

Review category instructions

Before starting your application, review the instructions for your specific visitor category.

Each visa classification has its own requirements and procedural steps. Read the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of State for consular processing and confirm that you’re using the correct form and classification.

Focus on:

• Category definitions (B1 vs. B2).
• Required application steps.
• Interview procedures.
• Supporting documentation instructions.

Don’t rely on general summaries. Use agency instructions to confirm current procedures before submitting your DS-160 or scheduling an appointment.

A consular officer from the U.S. Department of State decides whether you qualify for a B1/B2 Visitor/Tourist visa. The central issue is whether you intend to return to your home country after your temporary stay.

Your application and interview must show clear, credible intent to depart the United States when your visit ends.

Evidence of ties to home country

You must prove that you plan to return home after your trip. If you can’t demonstrate this, the officer will refuse your visa.

Strong ties connect you to your country of residence in ways that make overstaying unlikely. Weak or unclear ties raise concern about immigrant intent.

Use documentation that supports the information listed in your Form DS-160 form.

Each document should match your stated purpose of travel. Inconsistencies between your DS-160 and supporting evidence can undermine your credibility.

If your situation doesn’t clearly require you to return home, the officer may conclude that you failed to demonstrate nonimmigrant intent.

Interview consistency & red flags

The interview tests whether your answers align with your DS-160 and supporting documents. Officers look for clear, direct responses about your travel purpose and return plans.

Inconsistent or vague answers create doubt. Changing details about your employment, trip duration, or who will pay for your visit raises concern.

Common red flags include:

• Unclear explanation of why you must return home
• Contradictions between your DS-160 and oral answers
• Hesitation when discussing your job or residence abroad

You must answer truthfully and consistently. If the officer believes you may not return to your home country, they will refuse the B1/B2 visa.