USA Tourist Visa
If you planning to visit the United States. The country has so many varied experiences for its guests, from the New York streets full of energy and life to the breathtaking sights in the Grand Canyon. However, to make these visions a reality, one would need a USA tourist visa or B-2 visa, which is a key determinant for exploring the entire country for leisure, visiting family, or medical reasons.
This guide takes you through everything you will need to know about a USA tourist visa - the application process, requirements for eligibility, and much more to gain approval.
What is a USA tourist visa?
The United States leads the world in terms of foreign tourism. Every year, the nation welcomes around 79.6 million foreign tourists. These folks come to the country for leisure or business. It has a significant effect on the nation’s economy as well.
The USA visitor visa, also regarded as a B-2 visa, is a non-immigrant visa program that allows non-USA residents to visit the United States of America for tourism, medical treatment, leisure, or any other purposes.
Types of USA tourist visa
Here is the list of types of USA Tourist visas.
Visa Type | Purpose | Duration |
B-2 Tourist Visa | Tourism, visiting friends/family, medical treatment, social events | Up to 6 months, extensions possible |
B-1/B-2 Combined Visa | Tourism and business activities (e.g., meetings, conferences) | Up to 6 months, extensions possible |
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) | Tourism, business, or transit for eligible countries (requires ESTA) | Up to 90 days, no extensions |
Transit Visa (C Visa) | Short transit through the U.S. en route to another country | 1-2 days, covers transit period only |
Border Crossing Card (BCC) | For Mexican citizens near the U.S. border, for short, frequent visits | Each entry is up to 30 days, 10-year validity |
USA tourist visa requirements for Indians
The eligibility criteria for the US tourist visa;
- Show proof of travel
- For tourism purposes, you must show the travel itinerary, tickets, etc.
- When you visit family or friends, you need to show a letter of invitation.
- For medical purposes, you need to show the necessary medical documents.
- For business visit-
a. Show business invitation
b. Proof that you are a foreigner
c. Show the intent to leave the country
d. You must not work, study, or do paid tasks.
- Show proof of funds
- You have a residence in your home country
Documents required for the US tourist visa
The documents needed for the US tourist visa are
- Valid passport
- Old passports (if any)
- Recent photograph (as per the requirements)
- Completed and signed DS-160 form
- Confirmation page of the DS-160 form
- It must be stamped at the Visa Application Center (VAC)
- Receipts of the visa fee
- Proof of funds
- Proof of character
- Any other documents showing that you have no criminal record
- A letter describing the reason for your travel
- Display of intent to return back
- Printout of the appointment letter for the visa interview
How to apply tourist visa for USA from India?
You can apply for a tourist visa to the USA by following the steps given below.
- Submit a digital photograph
- It must be according to the specific requirements mentioned.
- Fill out the DS-160 application form
- Get the ten-digit barcode
- Pay the required application fees
- Arrange a visa interview appointment
- You need to schedule two appointments:
- One interview is at the embassy or consulate.
- The other one is at the Offsite Facilitation Centre (OFC)
- You must give your biometrics at the Visa Application Centre (VAC)
- Go for the personal visa interview.
- You will get a US tourist visa if you meet the required criteria.
US tourist visa processing time for Indians
The processing time for a US tourist visa may vary based on the workload of the immigrant authority and the candidate’s nationality. However, the following table explains the estimated processing time for different USA tourist visas.
Visa Type | Estimated Processing Time |
B-2 Tourist Visa | 2-6 weeks (varies by U.S. Embassy/Consulate) |
B-1/B-2 Combined Visa | 2-6 weeks (varies by U.S. Embassy/Consulate) |
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) | ESTA approval typically within 72 hours |
Transit Visa (C Visa) | 2-6 weeks (varies by U.S. Embassy/Consulate) |
Border Crossing Card (BCC) | 2-3 weeks post-interview |
USA tourist visa cost for Indians
Indians applying for the USA tourist visa must pay around $185 for non-immigrant visas, including tourist, business, and other visas.
How can Province Immigration help you?
Do you want to go on a US trip? Applying for a USA tourist visa is challenging; however, this will no longer be an issue when you have our help. Province Immigration is just a call away to make your dream vacation possible. Here is how we can assist you:
- Profile evaluation: We check your profile history with the criteria for visa eligibility and advise you as to which visas you need to apply for.
- Resume writing: We assist you in preparing a CV that attracts the attention of the relevant immigration authorities.
- Obtaining documents: Assist you in gathering the paperwork required to apply for a visa.
- Professional direction: We are always here to help you, whether it be with interview preparation, French/English classes, working samples for resumes and cover letters, or help with application forms, medical clearance certificates, or police clearance certificates.
- Dedicated case officer: We provide individualized support throughout the process and serve as the company’s primary point of contact.
- Post-landing services: After getting your visa, we assist you in settling down in the nation. These services are specially tailored to meet your needs. With Province Immigration, you can anticipate a one-stop solution for your visa needs, including profile evaluation, documentation, application preparation, and post-visa services.
