US B1/B2 Visa Application Requirements 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

What Is the B1/B2 Visitor Visa?

The B1/B2 visa is the United States' primary nonimmigrant visitor visa, combining two purposes: B1 for business visitors and B2 for tourists, family visitors, and people seeking medical treatment. Most B1/B2 visas are issued as a combined "B1/B2" visa valid for both purposes. The visa allows stays of up to 6 months per entry (the CBP officer at the port of entry determines the actual length of stay), with multiple entries over the visa validity period.

Who needs a B1/B2 visa: Citizens of countries not in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP allows citizens of 41 countries (mostly European, plus Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Chile, and Brunei) to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days with just an ESTA authorization. Citizens of all other countries — including China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, the Philippines, Nigeria, and most of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America — must obtain a B1/B2 visa before traveling to the US.

Visa Validity by Nationality

The validity period of a B1/B2 visa depends on reciprocal agreements between the US and the applicant's country of citizenship:

Even with a 10-year visa, each visit is limited to a maximum of 6 months (180 days), determined by the CBP officer at the port of entry.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Determine the Visa Category

Confirm you need a B1/B2 visa. If your purpose is business meetings, conferences, contract negotiations (B1), tourism, family visits, medical treatment (B2), or a combination, the B1/B2 is correct. Other visitor visa categories include: F1 (student), J1 (exchange visitor), H1B (specialty occupation worker), L1 (intracompany transferee) — these are not interchangeable with B1/B2.

Step 2: Complete Form DS-160 Online

Form DS-160 is the online nonimmigrant visa application. Available at ceac.state.gov, the form takes 60-90 minutes to complete. Required information includes:

• Personal details (name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, passport details)
• Address and phone information
• Passport information (number, issue date, expiry date)
• Travel plans (intended dates of travel, US address where you will stay)
• Travel companions
• Previous US travel (last 5 visits, including any visa refusals)
• US point of contact (person or organization)
• Family information (parents, spouse, children — even if not traveling with you)
• Work/education history (last 5 years)
• Security questions (criminal history, immigration violations, drug use, terrorist affiliations)
• SEVIS number (only for F/M/J visa applicants — leave blank for B1/B2)

Upload a passport-quality photograph (2x2 inches, white background, taken within last 6 months). If the photo upload fails, you will bring a printed photo to the interview.

Save the confirmation page with the barcode. This barcode is required to book your interview and pay the fee. Print it.

Step 3: Pay the MRV Fee

The Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee is the application fee, payable regardless of whether the visa is granted. As of 2026, the B1/B2 MRV fee is USD $185. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment methods vary by country:

• Online by credit card (in some countries)
• Bank transfer at designated banks (e.g., Axis Bank in India, Citibank in China)
• Cash payment at designated bank branches (you must print a deposit slip from the appointment system)

After payment, you will receive a receipt number that is required to book your interview appointment. Allow 1-2 business days for the payment to be registered in the appointment system.

Step 4: Schedule the Visa Interview

Through the US Visa Scheduling system (cgiproxy.secure.force.com or ais.usvisa-info.com depending on country), book an appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence. Wait times vary dramatically:

• Some embassies (London, Tokyo, Seoul) have 2-5 day wait times
• Many embassies (Manila, Islamabad, Lagos) have 100-300+ day wait times
• High-demand posts (Manila, Mexico City, Abuja) regularly have 6-12 month waits

Check current wait times at travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html.

Step 5: Attend the Visa Interview

Arrive at the embassy 30 minutes before your appointment. Bring:

• Passport (current + any previous passports containing US visas)
• DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
• MRV fee receipt
• Appointment confirmation letter
• One passport-quality photograph (in case the digital upload failed)

Supporting documents (proof of funds, employment letter, property ownership, family ties) — bring these but the consular officer may not ask to see them. The interview itself is brief — typically 2-5 minutes. Common questions:

• "What is the purpose of your trip?"
• "How long do you plan to stay?"
• "Who is paying for your trip?"
• "What do you do for a living?" (employment verification)
• "Have you been to the US before?"
• "Do you have family in the US?" (yes/no, who, what status)
• "What ties do you have to your home country?" (employment, property, family)

Step 6: Visa Decision and Passport Return

The consular officer usually informs you of the decision at the end of the interview. If approved, your passport is kept for visa stamping (2-7 business days typically). If refused under Section 214(b), your passport is returned immediately and the refusal is explained. Administrative processing under Section 221(g) delays the decision by 4-8 weeks (sometimes longer) for additional security checks.

Interview Waiver Program (Drop-Box)

Some applicants can renew their B1/B2 visa without an interview. The interview waiver program is available if you meet ALL of these conditions:

• You are renewing a B1/B2 visa that expired within the last 48 months (4 years)
• Your previous visa was issued when you were age 14 or older
• Your previous visa was not lost, stolen, or revoked
• You have no visa refusals since the previous visa was issued
• You are a citizen of, and resident in, the country where you are applying
• You have no criminal record or immigration violations

The interview waiver program was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic but has been progressively restored. As of 2026, the program is fully operational but with stricter criteria — some embassies now require the previous visa to have expired within the last 12 months (not 48) for waiver eligibility. Check the specific embassy website for current criteria.

The 214(b) Refusal: "Insufficient Ties"

Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act presumes every B visa applicant intends to immigrate to the US — the applicant must overcome this presumption by demonstrating strong ties to their home country. "Ties" include: stable employment, property ownership, family dependents, financial assets, and a clear purpose for the visit that aligns with returning home.

Common 214(b) refusal triggers:

• Young, single applicants with no dependents and limited employment history
• Applicants whose income does not support the planned US trip
• Applicants with immediate family members living in the US (especially as permanent residents)
• Applicants who previously overstayed a US visa or violated status
• Applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates

If refused under 214(b), you can reapply immediately (no waiting period). However, reapplying without significant changes to your circumstances (new job, new property, family situation) is unlikely to result in a different outcome. The refusal fee is not refunded and a new MRV fee is required for each application.

Administrative Processing (221(g))

Some applications require additional administrative processing under Section 221(g). This typically involves security advisory opinions (SAO) for applicants in sensitive fields (science, technology, engineering, military, government) or applicants from certain countries. Processing takes 60-180 days. There is no expedite option. If your application is in administrative processing, the only action you can take is wait and respond promptly to any request for additional information.