How To Get a US Tourist Visa

The U.S. tourist visa, also known as a B2 visa, is a short-term, non-immigrant visa meant for visitors coming into the United States (U.S.) for the purpose of leisure travel or personal reasons. Essentially, a tourist visa is meant for those who are intending to:

Vacation in the United States
Visit family and friends in the U.S.
Participate in a musical, sports, or similar event if theyâre not being paid for participation
Receive medical treatment

Who's Eligible For A B2 Visitor Visa?

According to Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), if youâre the B2 applicant, itâs your responsibility to prove that youâre visiting the U.S. on a temporary basis and will return to your home country. To be eligible for a B2 visitor visa, you should be able to prove the following:

Your visit is for a specific purpose, such as visiting family or seeing places within the U.S.
Your trip is temporary and you will return to your home country on the completion of your purpose
You can afford to pay for the trip for the duration of your stay in the U.S.
You can show strong ties to your home country in the form of a home, employment, etc.
You have no reasons for inadmissibility to the U.S., such as an arrest or documentation of an unlawful activity

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a U.S. Tourist Visa?

One of the first steps in applying for a B2 visitor visa is to collect all the required documents and pay the necessary filing fees. There are specific documents that are required at the initial submission, and further documents that need to be taken with you for your visa interview.

Initial documents required for submission

File form DS-160. This can be completed online. Each applicant including children are required to fill out this form
A valid passport with at least a six monthâs validity
A passport size photograph, with certain specifications.

Supporting documents (to bring to the visa interview)

Current proof of income, tax payments, property or business ownership, or documentation of assets
Your travel itinerary
Additional documents (if any) pertaining to your planned trip to the U.S. (such as a doctorâs note for medical treatment, an invitation to a family event, wedding, graduation, etc.)
A letter from your employer detailing your position, salary, how long you have been employed, any authorized vacation, and the business purpose, if any, of your U.S. trip

Whatâs the Process for Getting a Tourist Visa?

Forms: Submit all additional documents as outlined above.
Confirmation: After filing the DS-160 online, you will receive an alpha-numeric barcode number on the Form DS-160 confirmation page. Please print this and carry it for your interview at the Visa Application Center and/or Embassy/Consulate.
Fees: Pay the filing fees of $160.
Visa Application Center (VAC): Book your biometrics appointment at the VAC where your fingerprints and photographs will be taken.
Visa Interview: Schedule your interview at the nearest U.S. Consulate. You may have to wait for your interview date to come through depending upon the wait times at each consulate. Calculate your visa appointment wait times here. Youâll need your passport number and DS-160 confirmation number for this. On the scheduled date, attend your visa interview, answer all questions truthfully and submit all supporting documents as listed above.
Note on Minors: Children under 14 years of age are not required to attend the appointment at the Visa Application Center or visa interview at the Embassy/Consulate. Accompanying guardians and parents can carry the above documents.
Approval: If the consular officer approves your visa, youâll be notified about the duration of your stay in the U.S. and the visa will be stamped accordingly. Your visa duration may be anywhere between two to six months, and extendable by another six months. Check out this guide to extending your U.S. visa.

Once you have your B2 visitor visa approved, you can book your tickets to the U.S.

Health and Travel Insurance for your trip to the U.S.

While itâs not mandatory for foreign visitors to purchase travel insurance for their visit to the U.S., itâs highly advisable to purchase suitable travel medical insurance. Even if youâre only visiting for a short period of time, purchasing travel medical insurance will provide you with the peace of mind that your health and trip costs are covered in the event of an accident.

If you decide to purchase a travel insurance policy, youâll be pleased to know that there are several options and customizations available. If you have specific underlying health conditions or you want insurance that will provide Covid coverage, for example, you can build an insurance plan that will fit your specific needs.

View Travel Medical Plans for the U.S.