The US B-2 Visitor’s visa is a non-immigrant visa that can be used for temporary stay in the US. This visa allows people to visit the US for tourism, visiting relatives or friends, medical treatment, enrolment in a recreational course which does not add credits towards a degree and participation by amateurs in contests, provided they are not paid for participating. The B-2 visa will not be issued for birth tourism, which is travel with the intention of giving birth in the US in order for your child to gain US citizenship.
If you are a citizen of one of the 39 countries in the US Visa Waiver Program [VWP,] then you need not apply for the B-2 visa. You can apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online. Contact a visa consultant, like Lalani & Associates to confirm whether or not you have to apply for the B-2 visa.
The exact process to apply for the US B-2 visa may vary depending on the U.S. Consulate or Embassy you visit, but the general steps you need to take are as follows:
1 Complete your Online Visa Application: You will have to complete the online non-immigrant visa application i.e., the DS-160 form. Once you complete the application, print a copy of it to provide as proof during your interview. This form will also require you to upload a photo that meets the photograph requirements and guidelines.
2 Schedule an interview: If you are an applicant between the ages of 14 and 79, you will have to schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to you. Interviews are generally not required for applicants younger than 14 or older than 79. The waiting period to be issued a slot can vary, so you will need to apply as early as possible.
3 Pay the application fee: You will have to pay a non-refundable visa application fee before your interview. Upon successfully obtaining a visa, you will also need to pay a visa issuance fee.
4 Organize the required documentation: You will need the following documentation during your visa interview:
a. A passport which will remain valid for at least 6 months after your visit to the United States
b. A completed Form DS-160 confirmation page
c. A passport-sized photograph
d. Your application fee payment receipt
e. A letter stating the purpose of your trip and your intent to leave the US once your trip is over
f. A letter stating that you have enough funds to finance your trip
5 Attend your interview: Attend the interview at the time allotted to you, and a consular officer will determine whether your application is successful or not. Some applications may also require additional administrative processing.
If your status changes during your stay in the United States, you will be able to request a change in your non-immigrant status through US Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS.] An immigration consultant can also help you request this change.
At Lalani and Associates, we have skilled and experienced visa consultants who can help you in deciding if you qualify for the US B-2 visa, collecting all the required documents, booking your slot for the visa interview, and in requesting a change of status, if needed. We are visa consultants in Lahore and Karachi, and we are available to help you apply for the US B-2 visa easily and successfully.