B1 B2 Visa
Tourist & Business Visitor Visa Applications
For Travel To The USA
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This page has been reviewed and verified by Michael Gibbons, Regulated Immigration Advisor. You can confirm appointment scheduling rules through Our U.S. Visa Guidance.
Important B1/B2 Information – Please Read
This page provides guidance on the B1/B2 U.S. Visitor Visa, including how to apply, eligibility, required documents, and what to expect during processing. This information is updated under the U.S. Department of State’s 2025 visitor visa policy. You can begin your application or find detailed guidance in the related resources below.
The authorized stay is up to 180 days per visit. This page provides applicants with detailed guidance on the B1/B2 Visa, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, supporting documentation, fees, timelines, and legal limitations.
B1/B2 Visa Eligibility Requirements (2025)
To qualify for a B1/B2 visa, you must demonstrate that:
- Your visit is temporary and for business, tourism, or medical reasons.
- You intend to return to your home country after your stay.
- You can financially support yourself during your visit.
- You have strong family, social, or economic ties to your home country.
- You have no intention of seeking employment or immigration to the United States.
Full eligibility details can be found in our guide on B1/B2 Visa Eligibility Requirements (2025).
To begin the B1 B2 Visa application process, please click the link below:
Start ApplicationThe B1 B2 Visa does not confer permanent resident status; it is a temporary visa; nevertheless, the bearer may apply for a green card. 180 days is the maximum duration permitted for a B1 B2 visa.
What Is a B1/B2 Visa?
The B1/B2 visa is a temporary, non-immigrant vistor visa that allows foreign nationals to travel to the United States for a limited period for business, tourism, or medical reasons. It merges two visa types — the B1 (Business) and B2 (Tourist) categories — into one convenient entry document. This combined visa is ideal for travellers who may wish to conduct business activities while also engaging in leisure or personal travel during the same trip.
The B1/B2 visa is one of the most commonly issued U.S. visas and is suitable for visitors who can demonstrate clear travel intent, sufficient financial means, and strong social or economic ties to their home country. It does not permit long-term residence, paid employment, or formal study in the United States, and holders must depart before their authorised stay expires.
B1: Business Visitor Visa
The B1 visa is designed for professionals or entrepreneurs who need to visit the U.S. temporarily for legitimate business activities. This may include attending meetings or trade events, negotiating contracts, participating in short-term training, or consulting with clients or partners. The visa enables engagement in commercial or professional functions that do not involve hands-on work, direct employment, or receipt of a salary from a U.S. organisation.
B1 visa holders are often representatives of international companies, independent consultants, or business owners exploring U.S. markets. It provides flexibility for short-term business visits without the administrative burden of applying for a U.S. work visa.
B2: Tourist Visitor Visa
The B2 visa is intended for those travelling to the United States for leisure, family visits, or medical care. Typical uses include holidays, visiting friends or relatives, attending cultural or social events, receiving medical treatment, or participating in short recreational courses not leading to a degree or qualification. It is strictly for temporary stays and must not be used for study or employment.
B2 visa holders often combine tourism with other short-term purposes, such as visiting relatives in the U.S. after attending a business conference on a combined B1/B2 visa. Each visit is reviewed at the border by Customs and Border Protection officers, who determine the permitted length of stay — typically up to six months.
B1 B2 Visa Documents Required (2025)
Applicants must provide evidence that meets Department of State standards, including:
Valid passport (must be valid for at least six months beyond intended stay).
Completed DS-160 application form and confirmation page.
Visa appointment confirmation letter.
Recent U.S. visa-compliant photograph
Proof of sufficient funds and home country ties.
B1 Visa
The B1 Visa specifically covers visits related solely to business activities. Frequently, the B1 Visa is issued in combination with the B2 Visa, allowing holders to participate in both business and tourism purposes. A previously issued B1/B2 Visa obtained for tourism purposes may also be valid for future business visits.
Activities permitted under the B1 Visa include:
- Contract negotiations
- Discussing or soliciting purchases and investments
- Making business-related purchases or investments
- Actively participating in business meetings or conferences
B2 Visa
The B2 visa is a standard nonimmigrant visa type intended for short-term tourism, leisure activities, or medical treatment in the U.S. If your ESTA application (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is denied, obtaining a B2 Visa is the recommended alternative. Applicants intending to pursue academic studies, employment, or crew-member positions must apply separately for the appropriate visa category.
Permitted activities under the B2 Visa include:
- Medical treatment
- Recreational activities
- Visiting relatives
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Volunteer service activities (without remuneration)
- Amateur participation in musical performances, sports events, or contests
Applicants should submit their completed visa application, including all supporting documents, at least 15 working days prior to their intended date of travel.
B1/B2 Visa Application Process
As part of the application process, you must attend an interview.
- Fill out our online form – ensure you choose ‘B1/B2 Visa’ from the list.
- Provide a photograph to be used for your visa.
- Print the DS-160 confirmation documentation we send to you by email.
- Schedule an interview with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country.
You must give digital fingerprint scans. A photograph must be provided for your visa application.
The consular officer may conclude that your application requires additional processing and inform you accordingly.
For detailed information on specific parts of the visa process, you can refer to the links in the table on the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
U.S. Visa Guidance & Resources (2025)
| How to Submit a U.S. Visa Application (2025) |
| U.S. Visas Overview (All Types) |
| B1/B2 Visa: Core Guides |
| U.S. Visa Application Process |
| U.S. Visa Fees & Decisions |
| U.S. Visa Interview & Preparation |
| Visa Applications Team |
USA Visa Types
Any foreign national wishing to travel to the United States must have a visa. If a B1/B2 visa is not suitable for your travel, there are several options depending on the purpose of your visit:
Entry To The United States
Processing times for visa interviews vary depending on jurisdiction, season, and the type of visa you require. Applicants should schedule visa appointments as early as possible to accommodate potential waiting periods.
The B1/B2 Visa authorizes entry to a U.S. port-of-entry, where the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials conduct entry assessments. Visa approval does not guarantee admission; final entry permission is determined exclusively by CBP officers upon arrival.
B1/B2 Visa Interview Questions
Applicants should anticipate a visa interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy where the application was submitted. Officers conducting the interview typically inquire about the applicant’s travel intentions, immigration history, and ties to their home country.
Commonly asked interview questions include:
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- Have you previously traveled to the United States?
- When is your intended date of travel?
- Have you booked return travel tickets?
- Which states do you intend to visit?
- Have you ever been denied a U.S. visa previously?
- Do you have relatives residing in the United States?
- Who will be your primary contact or sponsor in the U.S.?
- Where will you stay during your visit?
- Will you be traveling alone or accompanied?
- How long do you intend to remain in the United States?
- Can you demonstrate your strong connections to your country of residence?
- What is your current occupation?
- Do you intend to engage in employment within the United States?
- What is your annual income?
Additionally, general questions regarding personal finances, health conditions, or familial circumstances may arise during the interview. Applicants may bring supporting documents, such as recent bank statements, employment records, and property documents, to substantiate their responses.
Applicants aged over 80 or those renewing a recently expired B1/B2 visa may qualify for an interview waiver.