How to Apply for a Tourist Visa to The United States Of America(USA)
In general, a foreign citizen seeking to enter the United States must first get a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.
Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas that allow individuals to enter the United States briefly for business (visa category B-1), tourism (visa category B-2), or a combination of the two (B-1/B-2).
Here are some examples of activities allowed with a visiting visa.
Business (B-1).
I) Consult with business associates.
II) Attend scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions.
III) Settle an estate.
IV) Negotiate contracts.
Tourism (B-2).
I. Tourism II. Vacation III. Visits with friends and family IV. Medical treatment.
V) Attending social gatherings held by fraternal, social, or service organizations.
VI) Amateur participation in musical, sporting, or other such activities or contests without compensation.
VII) Enrollment in a short recreational course of study that does not count toward a degree.
Travel Purposes Not Allowed on Visitor Visa
Here are some examples of activities that require different types of visas and cannot be done while on a visiting visa:
I) Study.
II. Employment.
III) Paid performances refer to any professional performance before a paying audience.
IV) Arrival as a crew member aboard a ship or aircraft.
V) Work in the foreign press, radio, film, print journalism, or other forms of media.
VI) Permanent Residence in the United States.
VII) Visitor visas shall not be provided for birth tourism (travel to the United States with the sole goal of giving birth to seek citizenship for their child).
How To Apply
There are various processes for applying for a visa. The order and method of completing these tasks may differ depending on the US Embassy or Consulate.
Please refer to the directions on the US Embassy or Consulate website.
Complete the online visa application.
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn more about finishing the DS-160. You must:
1) Fill out the online visa application.
2) Print the application form confirmation page and bring it to your interview.
Photo – When completing the online Form DS-160, you will be required to add a photo. Your photo must follow the format specified in the Photograph Requirements.
Schedule an interview.
Interviews are normally necessary for visa applicants, with the exceptions listed below. Consular authorities may request an interview with any visa applicant.
You should make an appointment for your visa interview with the US Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live.
You can schedule your interview at another US Embassy or Consulate, but keep in mind that obtaining a visa outside of your home country may be more challenging.
Wait times for interview appointments vary depending on location, season, and visa category, so apply for your visa early.
| AGE BRACKET | REQUIRED INTERVIEW |
| 13 and younger | Generally not required |
| 14-79 | Required(Some exceptions for renewals) |
| 80 and older | Generally not required |
Prepare for your interview. Fees – Pay the non-refundable visa application fee, if applicable, prior to your interview.
If your visa is approved, you may additionally be required to pay a visa issuance fee, depending on your nationality. Fee details are supplied below:
Gather the required documentation.
Gather and prepare the needed documents for your visa interview:
Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your stay there (unless exempt by country-specific accords).
Each person who requires a visa, including any family members indicated in your passport, must file a separate application.
Nonimmigrant Visa Application: Form DS-160 Confirmation Page.
If you are required to pay an application fee before your interview, please obtain a receipt.
Photo – When completing the online Form DS-160, you will be required to add a photo. If the photo upload fails, please bring one printed photo in the format specified in the Photograph Requirements.
Additional Documentation May Be Required.
Review the instructions for applying for a visa on the website of the US Embassy or Consulate where you will apply.
Additional documentation may be asked to determine your qualifications. For example, extra requested documentation could contain evidence of:
1) Explain the purpose of your vacation.
2) Your intention to leave the United States following your trip.
3) Your capacity to cover the whole cost of the vacation.
Evidence of your employment and/or family ties may be sufficient to demonstrate the reason for your journey and your intention to return to your native country.
If you are unable to fund all of the costs of your trip, you may provide evidence that another individual will cover some or all of them.
NOTE: Visa applicants must qualify based on their location and links overseas, not on assurances from relatives and friends in the United States. A letter of invitation or an affidavit of support is not required to apply for a visiting visa. If you want to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please keep in mind that it is not one of the considerations utilized to determine
How to Apply for a Tourist Visa to The United States Of America(USA)
