US Visitor visa (B-1/B-2)

Which countries can I visit with US B1 B2 visa?

You are peermitted to visit a number of countries with US B1 B2 visa. However your options are limited based on your nationality. For example, only Brazilian passport holders can enter Canada with a valid US visa. Also, if you have a passport issued in Kosovo, you will be unable to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina with a US tourist visa.

*If you have a passport issued by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameron, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan, or Yemen, you are not eligible for a visa exemption.

Fortunately, many countries have visas that allow you to visit many countries simultaneously, such as the b1 b2 Visa.

B1 B2 Visa

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.

B Visas

B visas are a type of non-immigrant visa issued to individuals who wish to travel temporarily to the United States. Travel with a B-Visa can be for tourism or business. Business activities include contract negotiation or participation in scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences, and seminars.

The B visa covers almost all reasons for short-term travel, except for travelling for educational purposes. The B-1 visa is for those travelling for business, while the B-2 visa is for those travelling for tourism, such as going on vacation or seeing family.

If you are unsuitable for an ESTA visa waiver or require a longer-term visa for the USA, a B-Visa is likely the correct visa for you. If, however, you are a citizen of a visa waiver country, please apply for an ESTA.

Who is this visa for?

• Tourists and people visiting family or friends
• Business travellers attending meetings, conferences or negotiations
• People coming for private medical treatment

What you can do with a B-1/B-2 visa

• Attend business meetings, conferences or trade events, or consult with associates (B-1)
• Negotiate contracts or settle an estate (B-1)
• Visit for tourism, or to see family or friends (B-2)
• Receive private medical treatment (B-2)
• Take a short recreational course of study not for credit toward a degree (B-2)

Requirements

A consular officer must be satisfied that your visit is genuine and temporary. You will generally need to show:

To qualify for a B1/B2 visa, you must demonstrate that:

• Your visit is temporary, for business, tourism or medical reasons
• You intend to return home after your stay
• You can support yourself financially during the visit
• You have strong family, social or economic ties to your home country
• You do not intend to seek employment or immigration in the US

• 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 no intention of seeking employment or immigration to the United States.

How to apply

Most travellers use the B-1 and B-2 visitor visas for purposes including business and tourism.

The B-1 visa classification is reserved for business travellers attending a conference, settling an estate, negotiating a contract, or consulting with other business associates.

The B-2 visa classification is reserved for vacationing tourists and visitors coming for medical treatment, attending a social event, or competing in amateur competitions without payment.

The procedure for applying for a B-Visa at an Embassy or Consulate of the United States will differ from one location to another. Follow the specific instructions that have been provided for the nation that you are currently in.

Conditions for travel include qualification for the VWP and authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

You can still apply for a visiting (B) visa even if you are qualified to travel under the VWP but you decide to have a visa stamped in your passport.

Applicants should submit a completed visa application, including all supporting documents,

at least 15 working days before their intended travel date.

As part of the application process, you must attend an interview.

You must provide digital fingerprint scans.

notify you if this applies.

• Complete the online DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form
• Pay the visa application (MRV) fee — see the fees page for the current amount
• Schedule and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate (most applicants aged 14–79)
• Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, photo and any supporting documents
• Fill out our online form and ensure you select B1/B2 Visa from the list.
• Provide a photograph to be used for your visa.
• Print the DS-160 confirmation documentation sent to you by email.
• Schedule an interview with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country.

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 Visa

The B1 Visa specifically covers visits solely for business activities. Frequently, the B1 Visa is issued in combination with the B2 Visa, allowing holders to travel for both business and tourism purposes. A previously issued B1/B2 Visa obtained for tourism 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.

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

B1/B2 Visa Interview Questions

Applicants should expect a visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate where the application was submitted. Interviewing officers typically ask about travel intentions, immigration history,and ties to the applicant’s home country.

Commonly asked interview questions include:

Interviewers may also ask general questions relating to personal finances, health conditions, or family circumstances. Applicants may bring supporting documentation such as recent bank statements, employment records, or property documents to support their answers.

Applicants aged over 80, or those renewing a recently expired B1/B2 Visa, may be eligible for an interview waiver program..

• What is the purpose of your visit?
• Have you previously travelled 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 travelling alone or accompanied?
• How long do you intend to remain in the United States?
• Can you demonstrate strong ties 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?

What Are B-Visas

A B visa is a non-immigrant visa that is part of the category of visas that the government of the United States issues to foreign people seeking temporary access into the country. The B-1 visa is provided to those seeking entry to conduct business, whereas the B-2 visa is issued to individuals seeking entry for tourism or other non-business-related activities.

The two sorts of visas are typically merged and issued as a single document known as a " B-1/B-2 visa." This visa is good for a short visit for either business, pleasure, or a mixture. In most cases, citizens of certain countries are not required to obtain a visa to participate in certain activities.

What is the difference between a B1 & B2 visa?

The primary distinction between a B1 visa and a B2 permit is that a B1 visa is granted to conduct business in the United States, while a B2 permit is granted to travel to the United States for tourism. Each visa is valid for six months initially, with the opportunity to extend it for an additional year.

Those with a B1 or B2 visa can remain in the United States for six months. Because of this, the adjudicating officer may allow a stay of less than six months because six months is the maximum length that can be granted for an initial stay under the B classification. Each visa application is evaluated on its own merits.

The B1 visa permits you to enter the United States for business purposes an unlimited number of times, which enables you to cultivate business contacts and visit the country as often as required. You can apply for a new visa anytime after the current one has expired. There is no limit on the number of business visas that can be given each year because the United States business visa programme does not have a cap.

The B-2 visa is for recreational travel, such as vacationing, visiting friends or family, receiving medical treatment, or participating in fraternal, social, or service activities. The B-1 and B-2 visas are sometimes combined into a single document and issued as the B-1/B-2 visa.

B1 Visa

Visas designated as B1 are only granted for short-term travel to the United States to conduct business. These visas are for a shorter time and typically last for about six months.

B2 Visa

Travel to the United States for pleasure or tourism requires a B2 visa, which can also be used for various other purposes, such as allowing the parents of US citizens or permanent residents to visit their children in the country. These also last for a period of one year.

Combining the B1 and the B2 Visas – B1/B2 Visa

When applying for a B1 visa for business purposes, the United States consulate will often stamp it as a B1/B2 visa instead. This is because the B1 visa is intended for business travellers. This opens the possibility of travelling to the United States for either business or pleasure.

How do the B Visas work?

This will depend upon how the B1 Visa was stamped into your passport. There is a section on the US visa referred to as the "Annotation," In this section, you will find information regarding the limitations of the visa you have been granted. If there is no mention of your company name in this section or any other restrictions, then the good news is that you are free to travel to the United States under a company name that is not yours.

For example, if you worked for Company A, and they applied for your B1 visa in your passport; however, the Annotation section of your passport does not mention this. Because the B1 visa is tied to you personally and not to a specific company, you can use the visa to travel to the United States under the name of a different company. In these circumstances, there are no constraints on what you can do.

To enter the United States, however, you cannot use the B1 or B1/B2 visa if a company name is listed in the annotation section or other restrictions are mentioned. You must apply for a new B1 visa through your current company.

In order to ensure that your travel plans are successful, it is imperative that you are familiar with the conditions that are outlined in the annotation section of your visa.

• B1 Visas - Business
• B2 Visas - Pleasure
• B1/B2 Visas - Business and Pleasure

Reasons for a B visa?

One of the advantages of having a B-visa is that it can be acquired in a relatively short amount of time. The application is simpler and easier to obtain than the E-visa, which is necessary for expatriates, and the L-visa, which is necessary for those transferring. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) was created in the United States for countries that have diplomatic relations with the country. It is possible for nationals of the countries subject to the system to visit the United States before obtaining a visa and to remain there for up to ninety days. They must submit an ESTA application before departure, and the purpose of their visit will be limited to sightseeing or short-term business.

On the other hand, the disadvantage of having a B-visa is that it limits the kinds of activities that can be engaged in the United States. Since the B-1 visa does not allow for local work, it can only be used for meetings, inspections, business conversations, and purchases. Employment of any kind, including part-time work, is expressly prohibited for those travelling on a B-1 or B-2 visa only for sightseeing purposes.

B Visas Travel Purposes

Visitors coming to the United States for either business or leisure are required to get a B Visa. In some circles, the B visa is sometimes called the tourist visa. The B visa is used to gain entry into the United States by an overwhelming majority of non-immigrant citizens. Most of these visas are granted for tourism, paying a visit to the applicant's family members, or conducting business on behalf of an overseas company.

The stay is typically brief, and most visitors are granted permission to remain in the country for six months upon admission. There are a few exceptions, but generally speaking, people on B visas are not permitted to work or enrol in school in the United States.

For detailed information on specific parts of the B-visa process, you can refer to the links on the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email. please contact us via email.

Standard Prerequisites for B-Visas

A non-citizen of the United States must satisfy all of the following prerequisites before the Department of State of the United States grants them a B Visa:

• The applicant is required to enter the United States for a certain limited amount of time and intends to leave the country when their time in the country ends.
• The applicant must maintain a domicile in their country and affirm that they do not intend to leave that country in the foreseeable future.
• The applicant must prove they will travel on a B visa for legitimate activities linked to their field of study, employment, or recreational activities.
• The applicant must demonstrate that they can leave the United States after their journey has been completed and that they have sufficient financial resources to fund their trip to the United States.
• The applicant must demonstrate that they can leave the United States after completing their journey.

B1 B2 Visa Documents Required (2026)

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.

Entry to the United States

Processing times for visa interviews vary depending on jurisdiction, season, and the type of visa required. Applicants should schedule visa appointments as early as possible to allow for potential waiting periods.

The B1/B2 Visa authorises entry to a U.S. port of entry, where officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conduct entry assessments.

Visa approval does not guarantee admission; final entry permission is determined solely by CBP officers upon arrival.

Countries You Can Visit With A B1 B2 Visa From The United States

The United States of America boasts one of the world's strongest passports – and, it appears, one of the world's strongest visas. You can also visit the following countries for short stays if you have a valid US B1 B2 Visa:

Antigua and Barbuda*

The Dominican Republic

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Turks and Caicos

British Virgin Islands

Sao Tome and Principe

With a US tourist visa, Indian and Chinese passport holders can travel to the following countries.

With a US Tourist Visa, you can also visit the following countries if you hold an Indian passport:

Nicaragua (eligible for Visa On Arrival)

UAE (eligible for Visa On Arrival)

If you have a Chinese passport, you can also visit the following countries with a US visa:

With a Green Card, you can travel to a variety of countries

You can visit the following countries/territories without a visa if you have a US Green Card:

• Canada
• Mexico
• Georgia Costa Rica
• Aruba and Curaçao are British Virgin Islands.
• The Balkans are a region in Europe.
• Singapore
• Peru