The "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for pleasure, visiting relatives or children or friends, or for medical treatment (B-2), or combination of business and pleasure both (B-1/B-2) purposes.
B2 Visitor Visa, US Travel visa Qualifications
How to qualify for USA Visitor Visa : If the purpose of your trip to visit USA for a short duration for pleasure, tourism, meeting relatives, family or friend the visitor visa, B2 visa is the right visa for you.
The U.S. consular officer decides if the applicant is eligible to enter the United States or not.
The following is the qualification criteria by which the consular will grant the visitor visa.
A Visa applicant must demonstrate that :
The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment.
That they plan to remain for a specific and limited period.
Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;
Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and
That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.
You May not Need a USA Tourist Visa ... Foreign travelers who are citizens from certain eligible countries, may not need Visitor/Business visa to visit the U.S. They can enter USA without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. They can enter into the United States up to 90 days with the Visa Waiver Program.
The following countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra , Australia , Austria, Belgium , Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland , Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
However the travelers from these counties still need to get a pre authorization in order to enter to united states. This is authorization can be obtained electronically and known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization.)
All Visa Waiver Program travelers must present a machine-readable passport at the U.S. port of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa; otherwise a U.S. visa is required.
Your trip can be sponsored
1. Sponsored Trip:
Your trip/ visa can be sponsored. Applicant's child or relatives lies in USA, they can sponsor the visa for the applicant.
A sponsorship can helpful in case the applicant doesn't have sufficient funds/financial to support the expensive trip to USA. A sponsored trip is usually positive for parents visiting child or relative in America. ( Details and required documents for Sponsoring the US visitor visa)
Who can sponsor : Any US based person can sponsor visa for his/her parents, relatives, friends. Sponsor should provide affidavit of support ( form I134) , affirming that to take the liabilities of expenses required for applicant’s trip.
Sponsoring does not guarantee the visa grant. Individual applying for visa must meet the specific criteria, set for US visitor visa.
2. Self Sponsored:
You can be a self sponsor for your trip.
You must have sufficient funds and proof of financial capability that can justify your trip expenses.
Confirmation of US visa application form (DS-160), with CEAC Barcode printout. This is the document you will get once you complete US Visa application form DS-160 online. [ See a Sample ]
Receipt proof of the visa application fee payment.
Proof / Copy of Visa interview appointment letter.
Each applicant irrespective of their age , must possess and carry an individual passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.
Demand draft or cash for visa issuance fee.( If applicable in your case) Note : For certain country like India, the visa issuance fee is not applicable.
For current visa fees rates, mode of payment, and other details visit US Visa Fee page.
Other then aforementioned documents must have Supporting documents.
Other supporting documents to show your Ties with your home country.
You must demonstrate strong ties back to your home country, Visa officer at consulate should be convinced that applicant has enough reasons and bindings back home country and that the person will return back after his visit to USA.
Following documents, which are recommended and can be helpful for this purpose.
Sow your financially well position and that you can support the expenses and trip and will not become burden on US.
Show all possible financial documents like Savings, evidence of income, salary stub ( if employed), Tax returns, passbook, FDs.
- Original Bank statements/Passbook.
- Fixed Deposit/ Share/mutual funds statement.
- Tax returns statements if any.
Economic Ties :
Original property papers like house, shop or business ownership documents etc. which a person owns in India/home country. If no papers available make a notarized affidavit for the same.
Running any business or organization.
Family and Social Ties
Family bindings like unmarried children,old aged parents and other family responsibilities.
Other responsibilities :
If person is an employee, then show proof of employment and proof of leave grant from the office.
And any such document which shows that you have reasons to come back.
For Sponsored Trips, see the following additional documents list.
IF your trip is sponsored trip ( Any relatives, friends sponsoring your trip to USA, you also have to carry certain documents, that sponsor must provide)
Here is a list of documents for Sponsoring USA visitor Visa.
Applicants for visitor visas should generally apply at the American Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.
If the consular officer should find it necessary to deny the issuance of a visitor visa, the applicant may apply again if there is new evidence to overcome the basis for the refusal. In the absence of new evidence, consular officers are not obliged to re-examine such cases. Learn more about Visa Denials or Refusals
US visa extension
USA tourist visa can be extended by filing an application I539 along with applicable fee. Extension can be provided for eligible cases. Learn more about Visitor Visa Extension
Find out more about the USA Visitor Waiver Program
Find the nearest United States consulate to you
