Tourist and business visa · B-1/B-2
Tick items as you finish them. Your progress is saved on this device only.
A useful plan, not a government rule. Appointment waits can be long, so start early.
Make sure a visitor visa fits your trip, or whether you can travel without a visa.
Tourism, seeing family and friends, medical treatment, short courses that are just for fun.
Meetings, conferences, contract talks, settling an estate. Not a job.
Working for a U.S. employer, studying for a degree, or living there. Those need a different visa.
A valid passport and a photo that follows the rules.
File the online visa form and pay the visa fee.
Fill it in on the official CEAC website. Save the application ID, review every answer and print the confirmation page with the barcode.
The visitor visa fee is currently listed at about $185. Some nationalities pay an extra fee. Pay only on the official site, and check for any new fees.
Choose an embassy, find an appointment and watch out for fake sites.
Organize the papers that show who you are and why you will return home.
Answer clearly and honestly, and know what each result means.
| Question | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Why are you going to the U.S.? | A clear, short purpose |
| How long will you stay, and where? | Your dates and places |
| Who is paying? | Yourself, an employer or a sponsor, with the proof |
| What do you do for work? | Your job, employer and how long you have worked there |
| Do you have family in the U.S.? | A true answer with their status |
| Have you traveled before? | Your travel history, and any earlier U.S. visits |
| Why will you return home? | Your job, family and plans at home |
Follow the passport-return instructions.
Called administrative processing. Follow the written instructions and wait.
Read the reason you were given. Reapply only if something real has changed.
Check the visa, and pass the border check with your papers to hand.
Stay within the rules so your next visit is easy.
A visa does not guarantee entry, and your permission to stay is the date on your I-94.
Visa Status is an unofficial site. This is a general guide in plain words, not legal advice. Fees, forms and rules change, so check the official websites. Written October 2026.