US Tourist Visa (B1/B2) Application — Complete Checklist

Citizens of 41 countries can visit the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using ESTA. Check the State Department website to see if your country qualifies. B1 is for business, B2 for tourism — most people apply for the combined B1/B2.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in the US. Some countries have agreements allowing travel with less validity — check with the embassy.

You don't need confirmed bookings, but having a clear travel itinerary strengthens your application. Know your dates, cities you plan to visit, where you'll stay, and why you're going.

The DS-160 is the official nonimmigrant visa application. It takes 60-90 minutes to complete. Save your application ID immediately — you cannot resume without it. The form times out after 20 minutes of inactivity.

Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport. If you've ever used other names (maiden name, nicknames on official docs), list them. Be consistent with information across all documents.

List your planned arrival date, length of stay, and US address (hotel or host). If visiting someone, include their name, address, and phone number. You can list 'tourism' as the purpose.

These questions cover criminal history, health, and previous visa denials. Answer truthfully — inconsistencies can lead to permanent visa ineligibility. A past denial does not automatically prevent a new visa.

Double-check every field before submitting. Print the confirmation page with the barcode — you must bring this to your interview. The confirmation number starts with AA followed by 8-10 alphanumeric characters.

The B1/B2 fee is $185 USD (as of 2025). Payment methods vary by country — check your local embassy website. Keep the payment receipt — you need the receipt number to schedule your interview.

Wait times vary dramatically by embassy — some have waits of 2-3 days, others 6+ months. Check ustraveldocs.com for current wait times. Consider applying at a different embassy/consulate if your local one has long waits.

The embassy may or may not ask to see these, but having them organized shows preparedness and strengthens your case. Bring originals and one set of copies.

The consular officer wants to see you can afford your trip and have reasons to return home. Bank statements from the last 3-6 months are most important. No minimum balance required, but steady income and savings help.

This is the most critical factor. The officer must believe you will return home after your visit. Strong ties include: property ownership, steady employment, enrolled children, family dependents, ongoing business.

A day-by-day itinerary is not required, but having a general plan shows genuine tourism intent. Include hotel bookings (refundable ones are fine) and a rough schedule of activities.

Interviews are usually 2-5 minutes. Common questions: Why are you visiting the US? How long will you stay? Who will you visit? What do you do for work? How will you fund the trip? Who will take care of your responsibilities at home? Practice short, confident answers.

Arrive 15-30 minutes early. No electronics (including phones), bags, or food allowed inside most embassies — leave them in the car or at a nearby storage service. Dress professionally (business casual minimum).

Digital fingerprinting is done at the embassy, usually before or during the interview. This is quick and routine. If you had a separate CAS/OFC appointment, you already completed this step.

Most decisions are given on the spot. Approved: your passport will be returned with the visa (usually within 1-2 weeks by courier). Refused (221g): you may need to submit additional documents. Denied (214b): you can reapply, but should address the reason for denial.