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U.S. nonimmigrant visa · United States

U.S. B-1/B-2 visitor visa

The B-1/B-2 is the standard U.S. visitor visa for business (B-1) and tourism or medical treatment (B-2), applied for with form DS-160 and an embassy interview.

Official application site Check my requirements

Short answer

Who needs the U.S. B-1/B-2?

Anyone visiting the U.S. temporarily who is not a Visa Waiver Program national or otherwise exempt.

Key takeaways

  • Government fee: about $185. Nonrefundable machine-readable visa application fee. Some nationalities also pay a reciprocity fee at issuance.
  • Typical processing: Interview wait times vary enormously by post — from days to over a year. Check the wait time for your embassy before booking travel.
  • Maximum stay: Usually up to six months per entry, set by CBP on the I-94.
  • Passport validity: At least six months beyond your intended stay, unless your country has an exemption agreement.
  • When to apply: As early as possible — the interview appointment, not the visa, is the bottleneck.

Forms and official links

  • DS-160

    DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

    Complete and submit before booking the interview; keep the confirmation barcode.

    Open the official form

  • Interview wait times

    Check appointment wait times by embassy

    Open the official form

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the DS-160

    Fill it on ceac.state.gov and save the confirmation barcode page.

  2. 2

    Pay the visa fee

    Pay through your country's designated bank or portal and keep the receipt.

  3. 3

    Book the interview

    Schedule at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

  4. 4

    Attend the interview

    Bring the DS-160 confirmation, passport, photo and evidence of ties.

  5. 5

    Track passport return

    Approved passports are returned by courier or pickup, typically within one to two weeks.

What to have ready

  • DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
  • Valid passport meeting the six-month rule
  • Visa fee payment receipt
  • Photo meeting U.S. visa photo standards
  • Evidence of ties to your home country — employment, property, family
  • Itinerary or invitation letter, when you have one

Watch out for

  • A B visa does not permit employment in the United States.
  • Only ceac.state.gov is official; agencies charging for 'DS-160 assistance' are not part of the process.

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