How To Apply For a US B2 Visa – Extreme Guide

Short-term Indian visitors to the United States are required to obtain a visitor visa. If traveling to the United States for visiting, leisure, or tourism, a B-2 visa must be applied for. Generally speaking, a visitor visa is required to enter the United States. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) exempts nationals of certain nations from the need to obtain a visa to enter the United States.

What is US B-2 visa?

With a B-2 visa, you can enter and remain in the United States for a limited time. The visit must be for tourism, pleasure, or visiting purposes.

While all visitor visas fall under the B category of US visas, the specific visa required will vary based on the purpose of your visit.

Visitor visas for US:

What can I do in US on a B-2 visa?

B-2 visitor visas for the United States are nonimmigrant visas for individuals traveling temporarily to the United States to visit friends and family, tourism, or leisure. Additionally, the B-2 visa may be utilized for a variety of other activities.

The following are additional activities permitted with a B-2 visa:

• Medical treatment: When seeking medical treatment in the United States, you may be required to provide additional documentation. These may include a medical diagnosis from a local doctor, evidence that all of your expenses in the United States will be covered, and a letter from a medical facility or doctor in the United States.
• Short study program: Your primary reason for visiting the United States must be tourism. During your visit, you may also engage in less than 18 hours per week of study. You can also obtain a B-2 visa if the study program is of a recreational or avocational nature. Keep in mind that traveling to the United States to attend conferences or seminars for academic credit does not qualify you for a B-2 visa. Similarly, a student enrolled in an online study course is not eligible for a B-2 visa to travel to the United States for academic consultations or examinations.
• Amateur athletics: A B-2 visa may be issued to amateur athletes or members of a group of amateur athletes competing in an athletic event. To be eligible, they must not receive any payment other than for incidental costs. Athletes who are routinely compensated for their performances are ineligible for a B-2 visa.
• Amateur Entertainer: A B-2 visa may be available to an amateur performing solo, as a member of an ensemble of amateur performers, or as a competitor in a contest or talent show. However, they will not be compensated for their performance. A performer who is ordinarily compensated for their performance is ineligible for the B-2 visa.

What I can’t do in US on a B-2 visa?

On a visitor visa, it is not possible to engage in activities that ordinarily require a different visa category. Before you can study abroad in the United States, you will typically need an F-1 (for academic students) or M-1 (for vocational students) student visa. Similarly, you will need a US work visa – H, L, O, P, or Q – to work abroad in the United States.

Among the activities that are prohibited on B-2 visas are the following:

• Study,
• Employment,
• Permanent Residency (US Green Card) Application.

The B-2 visa cannot be used for birth tourism, which is coming to the United States to give birth so that the infant acquires US citizenship at birth.

Who can apply for a B-2 US visa?

You may petition for a B-2 nonimmigrant visa as a foreign visitor to the United States if you intend to visit temporarily for:

• Visiting with colleagues and family,
• Tourism and Medical Care
• Participating in social functions,
• Participating in an event or contest as an amateur,
• Enrolling in a brief course of study for recreation or vacation.

How to apply for a B-2 visa?

STEP 1: Know your visa

Before you can register for a visitor visa, you must be certain which visa – B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 – is most appropriate given the purpose of your trip. B-2 is the correct option if you are a transient resident who is only visiting friends and family or vacationing in the United States.

STEP 2: Complete Form DS-160

Start the procedure by completing Form DS-160, Online Application for a Nonimmigrant Visa. The confirmation page of the application must be printed out and carried with you to the visa interview.

STEP 3: Pay the visa fees 

A visa application fee of USD 160 (approximately INR 12,480) is required for a B-2 Tourist visa.

STEP 4: Schedule your appointment

There are two distinct appointments that you must schedule –

• Biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph) must be provided at a Visa Application Center (VAC), as well as a visa interview at an embassy or consulate of the United States.
• Remember that your VAC appointment must occur at least one day before your consular interview.
• Remember to bring your – card to your VAC appointment. (1) appointment confirmation page, (2) Form DS-160 confirmation page, and (3) your passport

STEP 5: Attend your visa interview

Visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 are typically required to attend visa interviews at the Embassy/Consulate. Visa applicants younger than 13 years of age or older than 80 years of age are typically exempt from the interview requirement.

STEP 6: Get your visa 

If authorized, you will be granted a B-2 visa.

Documents required For a US B2 Visa:

You must collect and prepare the following documents before attending your visa interview:

• Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fee receipt
• legitimate U.S. passport.
• The validity of your passport must extend at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.

Additional documentation may be necessary. These may consist of evidence relating to your –

• The purpose of the journey to the United States,
• the ability to cover all costs associated with the trip, and the intent to depart the country upon completion of the trip are all required.
• Evidence of family ties and employment in your native country may be sufficient to establish your intention to return.
• The application for a visitor visa does not require a Letter of Invitation or an Affidavit of Support from acquaintances or family in the United States.
• A person applying for a US visitor visa must qualify based on their overseas residence and ties, as opposed to assurances from family or acquaintances in the United States.

Check Also: How to Find Visa Sponsorship Jobs in USA – Complete Guide

Benefits of US B2 Visa:

• Tourism and Travel: For tourism-related reasons, such as sightseeing, visiting family or friends, participating in cultural or athletic events, or investigating well-known tourist locales, the B2 visa grants entry to the United States.
• Duration of Stay: Per visit, individuals with a B2 visa are ordinarily permitted to remain in the United States for a maximum of six months. This affords travelers sufficient time to delve into diverse regions of the nation and encounter a multitude of attractions.
• Family Visits: Visits to family members residing in the United States are permitted with the B2 visa. This is especially advantageous when it comes to family reunions, festivities, or quality time spent with cherished ones.
• Medical Treatment: A B2 visa is available to individuals seeking medical treatment in the United States. This grants them entry to hospitals, healthcare facilities, and specialized medical care within the nation.
• Education and Short Courses: Although tourism is the principal objective of the B2 visa, it may also be utilized to enroll in non-credit-bearing educational programs or short recreational courses.
• Adaptability: The B2 visa provides the traveler with greater flexibility. During their authorized stay, visitors are generally permitted unrestricted movement throughout the United States, which allows them to investigate various states and localities.
• Multiple Entries: B2 visas are customarily granted in the form of multiple-entry visas, which authorize holders to enter the United States on an unlimited number of occasions during the visa’s validity period. This is practical for tourists and family members who may be required to travel to the United States on multiple occasions.
• Business Objectives: Although the primary purpose of the B2 visa is tourism, it also grants authorization for specific business activities, including conference attendance, business meeting attendance, and contract negotiations. Nonetheless, it prohibits individuals from engaging in gainful labor or employment within the borders of the United States.
• Cultural Exchange: Cultural exchange is facilitated through the B2 visa, which grants holders the opportunity to directly encounter American festivals, events, cuisine, and way of life. This cultural exchange has the potential to increase mutual comprehension and broaden perspectives among individuals of various nations.
• Prospective Extension: Under specific conditions, holders of B2 visas may qualify to prolong their sojourn in the United States for a legitimate reason, including unexpected events or medical treatment. This feature offers enhanced flexibility to tourists who require an extended duration of stay in the nation.

How long is a B2 visa valid?

The B-2 is a multiple-entry visa with a 10-year validity that allows you to reside in the United States for up to six months per visit.

Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record indicates the date your authorized stay in the United States expires. At the US Port of Entry, a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will determine the length of your stay in the country. This is the “Admit Until Date” that will be imprinted on your Form I-94.

Can I extend my B-2 stay in US?

• To extend your stay as a visitor, you must submit Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• The request must be made before the authorized period of stay expires. Those who overstay their authorized extend in the United States will be barred from returning and/or deported from the country.
• Ideally, a request for a stay extension should be submitted at least 45 days before the expiration of your authorized stay in the United States.

Can I work in US on a B-2 visa?

No, you cannot accept employment or work in the United States on a B-2 tourist visa.

Can I change my visitor status when in US on a B-2 visa?

If, while in the United States, your intentions change for any reason, such as marrying a U.S. citizen or receiving a job offer, you may be able to request a change in your nonimmigrant status. The proposal for a status change must be submitted through USCIS. You are not required to register for a new visa.

Money Required For a US B2 Visa:

To obtain a US visitor visa, you must demonstrate to the consular officer that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay. You will be required to submit your bank statements for this.

The minimum bank balance required to register for a US tourist visa will depend on the length of your intended stay in the country. For a 15-day journey to the United States, you must have between $5,000 and $10,000 in the bank.

Visa fee For a US B2 Visa:

The fee for a US B-2 visa is USD 160 (approximately INR 12,480). This is the charge that must accompany Form DS-160.

Processing time For a US B2 Visa:

Generally, the processing time for US B-2 visa applications is between two and three months. Nonetheless, you must also consider the time required to secure a visa appointment for your US visitor visa.

Conclusion:

Getting a US B2 visa is a complicated process that needs careful planning and attention to detail. By following this extreme guide, applicants can feel confident at every step, which increases their chances of getting a visa.

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