U.S. Visitor Visa Guide
What Is a B-2 Visitor Visa?
A B-2 visitor visa is a temporary, nonimmigrant visa for tourism, vacations, visits with family or friends, medical treatment, and certain unpaid recreational activities in the United States.
Updated:
Quick Answer
The B-2 Visa Is for a Temporary Visit
A B-2 visa lets an eligible foreign national travel to a U.S. port of entry and ask Customs and Border Protection for admission as a temporary visitor. It does not guarantee entry, authorize employment, or permit permanent residence by itself.
The current nonrefundable visitor visa application fee is $185. A separate visa issuance fee may apply depending on the applicant’s nationality.
Client Experience
Approved on the Second Try
“Before we found VisaCoach I applied for my wife to get a visitor visa, and she was denied after three questions. Fast forward one year, I found Fred and VisaCoach, and he was extremely helpful. My wife’s B-2 visitor visa was approved on our second try—our first attempt with VisaCoach. His advice was very straightforward, and his replies were always quick and straight to the point.”
Video Overview
What Is a B-2 Visitor Visa?
View Full Video Transcript
Editor’s note: This transcript reflects the original recording. The video mentions the former $160 application fee. The current visitor visa application fee is $185. The marriage and permanent-residence discussion has also been updated in the article below.
This is Fred Wahl, THE Visa Coach.
Today’s topic is: What is a B-2 Visitor Visa?
VisaCoach—Fast, Easy and Personal.
Hi. My name is Fred Wahl. I am the Visa Coach, known in the field of fiancé and spouse immigration for the fast and easy approval and personal one-on-one attention my clients enjoy, and for crafting their winning “front-loaded” petitions that ease approval while avoiding high fees, delays, or denial.
Today’s topic is: What is a B-2 Visitor Visa?
The U.S. government restricts who is allowed entry to the USA, both for temporary visits as well as for permanent residency.
A B-2 visitor visa, sometimes called a tourist visa, is designed to give a foreign visitor permission to enter the USA for pleasure, sightseeing, or to visit friends or family.
The applicant for a visitor visa applies online, pays a $160 fee, then attends a screening interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
If approved, the applicant’s passport is returned to him or her with the visa placed on a page inside.
B-2 visitor visas can be valid for up to 10 years and can allow a maximum stay of six months.
During the trip to the USA, the visitor may not work, study, or apply for permanent residency.
While visiting, the visitor can even marry. However, even if married to an American citizen, the visitor does not have permission to apply for permanent residency during the visit.
Instead, the visitor must depart the USA on time, married or not.
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Permitted Activities
What Can You Do with a B-2 Visa?
Common B-2 Activities
- Tourism, sightseeing, and vacations
- Visiting family members or friends
- Receiving medical treatment
- Participating in unpaid social or amateur events
- Taking a short recreational course that does not count toward a degree
Activities Not Authorized
- Employment or productive work in the United States
- Academic study toward a degree or credential
- Paid professional performances
- Working as foreign press or media
- Using the visit as a way to take up permanent residence
For the official list of permitted and prohibited activities, review the U.S. Department of State visitor visa guidance.
Application Process
How Do You Apply for a B-2 Visitor Visa?
- Complete Form DS-160 online. Each applicant submits a separate nonimmigrant visa application and keeps the confirmation page.
- Pay the application fee. The current nonrefundable B-visa application fee is $185. Local payment instructions vary by embassy or consulate.
- Schedule the visa interview. Interviews are generally required, although limited exceptions may apply.
- Prepare the required documents. These normally include a valid passport, DS-160 confirmation page, fee receipt when required, and a compliant photograph.
- Show that the trip is temporary. The applicant may need to explain the purpose of the trip, the ability to pay for it, and the intent to leave the United States afterward.
Eligibility
What Must a Visitor Visa Applicant Demonstrate?
A Real Temporary Purpose
The planned activities and trip length should fit the B-2 category. The applicant should be able to clearly explain where they will go, why they are visiting, and how long they expect to stay.
Intent to Return Home
The applicant must overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. Employment, family responsibilities, property, studies, business obligations, and prior travel can help demonstrate strong reasons to return.
Ability to Pay
The applicant should be prepared to show how transportation, lodging, daily expenses, and any medical costs will be covered without unauthorized employment in the United States.
Truthful, Consistent Answers
Information in the DS-160, supporting documents, and interview answers should be accurate and consistent. A material misrepresentation can cause serious and potentially permanent immigration consequences.
Important Distinction
Visa Validity Is Not the Same as Length of Stay
A B-2 or B-1/B-2 visa may be issued for one entry or multiple entries and may remain valid for months or years. The exact validity period depends on the applicant’s nationality and the Department of State reciprocity schedule.
The visa expiration date only controls how long the visa may be used to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission. It does not determine how long the visitor may remain in the United States.
At entry, a Customs and Border Protection officer decides whether to admit the traveler and assigns an “admit until” date. The visitor should check the electronic Form I-94 record and depart by that date unless USCIS approves a timely extension or other authorized status.
At the Border
A Visa Does Not Guarantee Entry
Visa approval allows the traveler to seek admission. The final decision is made by a Customs and Border Protection officer at the airport, land border, or other port of entry.
The officer may ask about the purpose of the trip, planned length of stay, lodging, return travel, finances, and ties outside the United States. The traveler’s answers should remain consistent with the purpose stated in the visa application.
Marriage and Immigration Intent
Can a B-2 Visitor Marry in the United States?
Marriage itself is not prohibited for a B-2 visitor. The more important issue is the traveler’s intent when applying for the visa and when requesting admission.
A person should not obtain or use a visitor visa while concealing a preplanned intention to remain permanently in the United States. Fraud or willful misrepresentation can lead to denial of entry, denial of later immigration benefits, or a permanent visa ineligibility.
Marriage does not automatically extend B-2 status, authorize employment, or create permission to remain after the I-94 date. In some circumstances, a person who was lawfully admitted and later becomes the immediate relative of a U.S. citizen may be eligible to apply for adjustment of status, but eligibility is fact-specific and discretionary. Anyone facing this situation should obtain individualized advice before filing or departing.
Avoidable Problems
Common B-2 Visitor Visa Mistakes
Vague Travel Plans
Answers such as “I just want to visit America” may not clearly establish a credible temporary purpose, itinerary, or length of stay.
Relying Only on a U.S. Sponsor
A visitor visa applicant qualifies primarily through their own circumstances and ties abroad. An invitation letter does not replace the need to demonstrate temporary intent.
Inconsistent Information
Differences between the DS-160, documents, social media, prior applications, and interview answers can damage credibility.
Confusing Visa Validity with Authorized Stay
A ten-year visa does not permit a ten-year stay. The I-94 admit-until date controls each authorized visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
B-2 Visitor Visa FAQ
How much is the B-2 visitor visa application fee?
The current nonrefundable application fee for a B visitor visa is $185. Depending on nationality, an additional visa issuance fee may be required after approval.
How long can a B-2 visitor stay in the United States?
Customs and Border Protection determines the authorized stay for each admission. The traveler’s I-94 “admit until” date—not the visa expiration date—controls how long the person may remain.
Can a B-2 visitor work in the United States?
No. A B-2 visitor is not authorized to accept employment or perform work in the United States.
Can a B-2 visitor study in the United States?
A B-2 visitor may take a short recreational course that does not count toward a degree, but ordinary academic or vocational study requires the appropriate student visa or approved status.
Can a B-2 visitor marry a U.S. citizen?
Yes, marriage itself is allowed. However, marriage does not automatically authorize permanent residence, employment, or an extended stay. The traveler’s intent at entry and the facts of any later immigration filing matter greatly.
Does a ten-year B-2 visa allow a ten-year stay?
No. A ten-year visa may allow repeated travel during its validity period, but each admission has a separate authorized stay shown on the I-94 record.
Continue Learning
More Help with a U.S. Visitor Visa
Visitor Visa Resource Center
Explore the main VisaCoach visitor visa hub and related guides.
How to Apply for a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa
Follow the application process from the DS-160 through the consular interview.
B-1/B-2 Interview Questions and Answers
Prepare for common questions and learn how to give clear, truthful answers.
B-2 Visitor Visa for a Fiancée
Understand the extra scrutiny and immigration-intent concerns that may arise.
Your Next Step
Prepare a Clear, Credible Visitor Visa Application
Start with a complete DS-160, a realistic temporary travel plan, and consistent evidence that explains the purpose of the trip and the reasons the applicant will return home.
