In most cases, a visiting visa is required to enter the United States. Some nations are free from the visa requirement because their country of nationality is part in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
A visitor visa is required for Indians coming to the United States from India for a brief stay. If travelling to the United States for business, pleasure, or tourism, a B-2 US visa must be obtained.
What is the B-2 visa in the United States?
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A B-2 visa allows you to enter the United States and stay for a limited time. The visit must be for the purpose of tourism, visiting, or pleasure.
While all visitor visas fall under the B category of US visas, the precise visa to be filed for will depend on the reason for your travel.
Visas for US visitors
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| B-1: For Business | B-2: For Tourism | B-1/B2: A combination |
| · Negotiate a contract
· Attend a convention/conference · Settle an estate · Consult with business associates |
· Visit friends/family
· Tourism · Vacation · Medical treatment · Take part in events or contests · Be part of social events · Get enrolled in a short course of study |
Combines both purposes – business and pleasure – in a single visa.
B-1/B-2 brings together the purposes of B-1 and B-2, allowing you to conduct business while you visit, vacation, or sightsee in the US. |
What can I do in the United States with a B-2 visa?
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B-2 visitor visas for the United States are nonimmigrant visas for those visiting friends and family, for leisure, or for tourism. There are various more activities that may be carried out on the B-2 visa.
The following additional activities are permissible on the B-2 visa:
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Medical attention
If you seek medical treatment in the United States, you may be requested to provide extra documentation. These may include a medical diagnosis from a local physician, confirmation that all of your costs in the United States will be covered, and a letter from a medical institution or physician in the United States.
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A brief course of study
Your primary reason for visiting the United States must be tourism. You may also participate in a course of study for fewer than 18 hours per week during your visit. A B-2 visa can also be obtained if the academic programme is avocational (a hobby) or recreational in character.
Keep in mind that coming to the United States to attend conferences or seminars for credit toward a degree does not qualify you for a B-2 visa. Similarly, a student enrolled in an online study course is ineligible for a B-2 visa to travel to the United States for tests or academic consultations.
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Amateur sports
Amateur athletes or members of a team of athletes engaging in an athletic event may be eligible for a B-2 visa to visit the United States. They must not be receiving any money, other for incidental expenditures, to be eligible. A B-2 visa is not available to an athlete who is paid to perform.
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Amateur Performer
The B-2 visa may be granted to an amateur on their own, as a part of a group of amateur performers, or as a contestant in a contest or talent show. However, they will not be compensated for their efforts. A performer who is typically rewarded for their performance is ineligible for the B-2.
What can’t I do in the United States with a B-2 visa?
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Activities that normally need a certain another visa type cannot be undertaken while in the United States on a visiting visa. For example, before you can study in the US, you will normally need to get a US student visa, either an F-1 (for academic students) or an M-1 (for vocational students). To work in the US, you will also require a US work visa (visa categories H, L, O, P, Q).
Among the activities prohibited on B-2 visas are:
- Study,
- Employment, and
- Applying for permanent residence (US Green Card).
The B-2 visa cannot be used for birth tourism, which is defined as going to the US with the deliberate objective of giving birth in the nation so that the kid gains US citizenship by birth.
Who is eligible to apply for a B-2 US visa?
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If you want to visit the United States temporarily, you can apply for a B-2 foreign visitor nonimmigrant visa.
- Visiting friends and relatives,
- Medical treatment,
- Tourism,
- Taking part in social events,
- Participating as an amateur in an event/contest,
- Enrolling in a short recreational course of study, or
- Vacation (holiday).
How can I get a B-2 visa?
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STEP 1: Understand your visa.
Before you apply for a visiting visa, you must be certain of whether visa – B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 – is most suited to the purpose of your visit. If you are merely visiting friends and relatives or vacationing in the United States as a temporary residence, B-2 is the best option for you.
STEP 2: Fill out Form DS-160.
Begin by filling out Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. The confirmation page of the application form must be printed and taken to the visa interview.
STEP 3: Pay the visa application fees.
A visa application cost of USD 160 (about INR 12,480) is required for a B-2 Tourist visa.
STEP 4: Make an appointment.
You will need to schedule two separate visits –
Biometrics (fingerprints and a picture) will be taken at a Visa Application Center (VAC), followed by a visa interview at a US Embassy/Consulate.
Remember that your VAC appointment must be at least one day before your consular interview.
Remember to bring your (1) appointment confirmation sheet, (2) Form DS-160 confirmation page, and (3) passport to your VAC appointment.
STEP 5: Go to your visa interview.
Visa interviews at the Embassy/Consulate are normally required for visa applicants aged 14 to 79 years. In general, no visa interview is necessary if the visa applicant is 13 years old or younger, or 80 years old or older.
STEP 6: Obtain your visa
Your B-2 visa will be issued if you are accepted.
What documents are necessary for a B-2 visa application?
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Before attending your visa interview, you must obtain and prepare the following documents:
- Confirmation page for Form DS-160,
- receipt for application fee payment, and
- Valid passport for travel to the United States.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your anticipated stay in the United States.
Additional documentation may be required. These might contain evidence pertaining to your –
- the objective of the tour to the United States,
- ability to pay for all trip-related expenses, and
- After the trip, I want to depart the United States. Evidence of family links and work in your native country may be regarded sufficient to prove your intent to return.
To apply for a guest visa, you do not need a Letter of Invitation or an Affidavit of Support from your friends and family in the United States. Individuals seeking for a US guest visa must qualify based on their foreign presence and relationships, rather than guarantees from relatives and friends in the US.
How long is the validity of a B2 visa?
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The B-2 visa has a 10-year validity period and permits you to stay in the US for up to six months per visit.
The date of your approved stay in the United States is shown on Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record. A US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the US Port of Entry will determine the length of your stay in the US. The “Admit Until Date” will be imprinted on your Form I-94.
Can I prolong my B-2 stay in the United States?
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To prolong your tourist stay in the United States, fill out Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and submit it to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The request must be made before your allowed stay in the United States expires. Those who linger in the US beyond their allotted stay will be prohibited from returning and/or deported from the country.
A stay extension application should preferably be submitted at least 45 days before the expiration of your approved stay in the United States.
Can I work in the United States with a B-2 visa?
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No, you cannot take employment or work while in the United States on a B-2 visa.
Can I alter my visiting status while on a B-2 visa in the United States?
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If your plans change while in the US for whatever reason, such as marrying a US citizen or accepting a job offer, you may be entitled to request a change in your nonimmigrant status. A request for a change of status must be submitted to USCIS. You do not need to apply for a new visa.
| Going to the US to be married and get a Green Card? | |
| B-2 Visitor Visa
Maybe |
K-1 fiance(e) visa
✓ |
How much money do I need to present in order to obtain a B2 visa?
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To be granted a visitor visa to the United States, you must be able to convince the consular official that you will be able to cover your expenditures while in the nation as a tourist. You will be asked to produce your bank statements for this.
The bank balance required for application for a US tourist visa will be determined by the length of your desired stay in the US. You must have USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 in your bank account for a 15-day vacation to the United States.
What is the cost of a US B-2 visa?
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The cost of a US B-2 visa is USD 160. (around INR 12,480). This is the fee that must be presented with Form DS-160.
What is the processing time for a US B-2 visa?
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In most cases, B-2 visa applications to the United States are processed within two to three months. However, you must also consider the time it takes to obtain a visa appointment for your US tourist visa.
Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What are the different sorts of visiting visas for the United States?
Visitor visas to the United States are classified as ‘B’ visas.
- B-2 visa: For visiting friends and relatives in the United States.
- B-1 visa: For business travellers visiting the nation to attend meetings and conferences.
- B1/B-2: A B-1/B-2 visa for the United States permits you to blend business and pleasure.
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Are B-1 and B-2 visas interchangeable?
While both are eligible for US visitor visas, the distinction is in the purpose of the visit. A B-1 visa is required for business travel to the United States of America. Tourism is frequently the major reason for applying for a B-2 visa to the United States.
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Can I apply for a B-2 US visa in order to marry in the US?
It is best to apply for a K-1 US visa instead. A fiancé(e) K-1 visa for the United States permits a foreign-born fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry their sponsor (a US citizen) within 90 days of arrival.
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