Overview

The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for people traveling to the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or
medical treatment (B-2) !enerally" the B-1 visa is for travelers consulting #ith business associates" attending
scientific" educational" professional or business conventions/conferences" settling an estate or negotiating contracts
The B-2 visa is for travel that is recreational in nature" including tourism" visits #ith friends or relatives" medical
treatment and activities of a fraternal" social or service nature $ften" the B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued
as one visa% the B-1/B-2
Qualifications
&f you apply for a B-1/B-2 visa" you must demonstrate to a consular officer that you 'ualify for a US visa in
accordance #ith the US &mmigration and (ationality )ct (&()) Section 21*(b) of the &() presumes that every B-1/B-
2 applicant is an intending immigrant +ou must overcome this legal presumption by sho#ing%
That the purpose of your trip to the US is for a temporary visit" such as business" pleasure" or medical
treatment
That you plan to remain in the US for a specific" limited period of time
,vidence of funds to cover your e-penses #hile in the United States
That you have a residence outside the US" as #ell as other binding social or economic ties" that #ill ensure
your return abroad at the end of your visit
Personal or domestic employees and crew members #or.ing aboard vessels #ithin the $uter /ontinental Shelf
may 'ualify for B-1 visas under certain circumstances
Some foreign nationals may be ineligible for visas according to The &mmigration and (ationality )ct +ou can read
more about The &mmigration and (ationality )ct and visa ineligibility here
Application Items
&f you apply for a business/tourist visa" you must submit the follo#ing%
) (onimmigrant 0isa ,lectronic )pplication (1S-123) 4orm 0isit the DS-16 webpa!e for more information
about the 1S-123
) passport valid for travel to the United States #ith a validity date at least si- months beyond your intended
period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific a!reements provide e-emptions) &f more than one
person is included in your passport" each person desiring a visa must submit an application
$ne (1) 25-25 (6cm-6cm) photograph "his pa!e has information about the re'uired photo format
) receipt sho#ing payment of your US7123 non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee"
paid in local currency "his pa!e has more information about paying this fee &f a visa is issued" there may be an
additional visa issuance reciprocity fee" depending on your nationality The 1epartment of State8s website can help
you find out if you must pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and #hat the fee amount is
&n addition to these items" you must present an intervie# appointment letter confirming that you boo.ed an
appointment through this service +ou may also bring #hatever supporting documents you believe support the
information provided to the consular officer
#ow to Apply
Step 1
9ay the visa application fee
Step $
/omplete the (onimmigrant 0isa ,lectronic )pplication (1S-123) form
Step %
Schedule your appointment on this web pa!e +ou #ill need three pieces of information in order to schedule
your appointment%
+our passport number
+our :;0 fee payment receipt number
The ten (13) digit barcode number from your 1S-123 confirmation page
Step &
0isit the '(S( )mbassy*+onsulate on the date and time of your visa intervie# +ou #ill need to bring a printed
copy of your appointment letter" your 1S-123 confirmation page" one recent photograph" your current passport
and all old passports )pplications #ithout all of these items #ill not be accepted
Supportin! Documents
Supporting documents are only one of many factors a consular officer #ill consider in your intervie# /onsular
officers loo. at each application individually and consider professional" social" cultural and other factors during
ad<udication /onsular officers may loo. at your specific intentions" family situation" and your long-range plans and
prospects #ithin your country of residence ,ach case is e-amined individually and is accorded every consideration
under the la#
+aution, Do not present false documents 4raud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility &f
confidentiality is of concern" the applicant should bring the documents to the ,mbassy in a sealed envelope The
,mbassy #ill not ma.e this information available to anyone and #ill respect the confidentiality of the information
+ou should bring the follo#ing documents to your intervie# $riginal documents are al#ays preferred over
photocopies and you must bring these documents #ith you to the intervie# 1o not fa-" email or mail any supporting
documents to the ,mbassy
/urrent proof of income" ta- payments" property or business o#nership" or assets
+our travel itinerary and/or other e-planation about your planned trip
) letter from you employer detailing your position" salary" ho# long you have been employed" any authori=ed
vacation" and the business purpose" if any" of your US trip
/riminal/court records pertaining to any arrest or conviction any#here" even if you completed your sentence
or #ere later pardoned
)dditionally" based on your purpose of travel" you should consider bringing the follo#ing%
Students
Bring your latest school results" transcripts and degrees/diplomas )lso bring evidence of financial support such as
monthly ban. statements" fi-ed deposit slips" or other evidence
-or.in! adults
Bring an employment letter from your employer and pay slips from the most recent three months
/usiness visitors and company directors
Bring evidence of your position in the company and remuneration
0isitin! a relative
Bring photocopies of your relative8s proof of status (eg !reen /ard" naturali=ation certificate" valid visa" etc)
Previous visitors to the '(S(
&f you #ere previously in the United States" any documents attesting to your immigration or visa status
Supportin! Documents for Applicants See.in! 1edical +are
&f you #ish to travel to the US for medical treatment" then you should be prepared to present the follo#ing
documentation in addition to the documents listed above and those the consular officer may re'uire%
) medical diagnosis from a local physician e-plaining the nature of your ailment and the reason you re'uire
treatment in the United States
) letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States e-pressing a #illingness to treat this specific
ailment and detailing the pro<ected length and cost of treatment (including doctors8 fees" hospitali=ation fees" and all
medical-related e-penses)
) statement of financial responsibility from the individuals or organi=ation paying for your transportation"
medical and living e-penses The individuals guaranteeing payment of these e-penses must provide proof of their
ability to do so" often in the form of ban. or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income ta-
returns
1ore Information