Why apply for a US Tourist Visa?

• Visit top U.S. attractions with over 50 million tourists annually
• Travel for medical treatment and wellness care
• Attend family events and visit loved ones
• Get your visa processed in just 21 days
• Get up to 10-year multiple-entry visa

What is a US Visitor Visa?

A US Visitor Visa, also known as the B1/B2 visa, is a non-immigrant visa issued to individuals who wish to visit the United States temporarily. It is suitable for:

• B1 Visa: Business-related visits (e.g., meetings, conferences).

• B2 Visa: Tourism, visiting family or friends, or seeking medical treatment.

The maximum stay allowed per visit is up to 6 months, and visa validity can range from 1 to 10 years, depending on the applicant’s nationality and consular discretion.

*Want to apply for a US tourist visa? Sign up with Y-Axis to guide you with the process.

 

US Tourist visa from UK

Thinking of visiting the United States from the UK? The B-2 Tourist Visa makes it possible to explore the U.S., visit family or friends, or even travel for medical reasons. In 2024 alone, nearly 3 million people from the UK visited the U.S., making it one of the most popular destinations for British travellers. With a validity of up to 10 years and the option to stay for as long as 6 months at a time, the B-2 visa offers the flexibility you need for longer holidays or frequent visits.

 

Types of US Tourist Visa

The United States offers several non-immigrant visitor visas designed for temporary travel. These include separate categories for business, leisure, and transit, each tailored to specific purposes and stay durations.

The table below has details of the different types of US visit visas along with the purpose:

Visa Type	Purpose Allowed
B‑1	Temporary business activities—such as attending meetings, conferences, negotiating contracts, or consultation visits.
B‑2	Tourism, visiting family/friends, medical treatment, participation in amateur events or short recreational courses.
B‑1/B‑2	Combined business and tourism / medical purposes under one visa.
C‑1	Transit through the U.S. to another destination—allowed airport/airside stay unless landside clearing is granted.
C‑2	Transit visa to reach the UN Headquarters; limited to a 25‑mile radius around New York City
C‑3	Transit for government officials (and their immediate family or staff) passing through the U.S.

New US Visit Visa Rules 

Currently, the United States introduced key updates to its visitor visa policies aimed at enhancing national security, increasing procedural transparency, and improving application processing standards. These changes apply to most non-immigrant visa categories, including B-1/B-2 tourist visas.

Some of the major rules introduced for the US visit visa is as follows:

• Introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee: A new non-refundable Visa Integrity Fee of $250 has been introduced for certain non-immigrant visa categories. This fee is applicable to nationals of countries with high visa overstay rates. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries such as the United Kingdom are exempt from this fee.
• Enhanced Digital Matching Requirements: All applicants must ensure the DS-160 confirmation barcode number matches the one used to book their biometric and visa interview appointments. Failure to do so will result in cancellation and rescheduling of the appointments.
• Stricter Interview Screening Measures: U.S. embassies and consulates have expanded interview screening protocols. This includes more detailed questioning and increased scrutiny of applicants’ travel history, employment status, and financial circumstances.
• Mandatory Social Media Disclosure: As part of the enhanced vetting process, applicants are required to provide details of their social media profiles used in the past five years. This measure is part of broader efforts to assess security and travel intent.
• Country-Specific Entry Restrictions: The U.S. has introduced updated travel restrictions under Proclamation 10949, limiting or prohibiting entry for nationals from certain countries due to national security concerns.
• Faster Processing Initiatives: The U.S. Department of State has committed to reducing wait times and improving transparency in processing timelines, with targeted efforts to expedite interview scheduling and document turnaround.

Benefits of applying for a US Visit Visa

Some of the benefits of applying for a US visit visa are as follows:

• Long Validity: The B-1/B-2 visa is typically valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries.
• Extended Stay: You can stay in the U.S. for up to 6 months per visit, with a possible extension.
• Family & Leisure Travel: Ideal for tourism, visiting relatives, or attending family events.
• Access to Medical Treatment: Allows travel for specialized or urgent medical care in the U.S.
• Flexible Travel: A single visa covers various short-term purposes tourism, leisure, and personal visits.

 

Eligibility Criteria for a US visit visa

To qualify for a US Visitor Visa, applicants must:

• Hold a valid passport (minimum 6 months beyond the stay in the US)
• Demonstrate intent to return to their home country after the visit
• Provide evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of the stay
• Establish strong ties to their home country (e.g., job, property, family)
• Clearly state the purpose of the visit

 

Requirements for a US Tourist visa

The table below has the list of documents required for a US tourist visa:

Document	Description
Valid Passport	Must have at least 6 months validity
DS-160 Confirmation Page	Online form submission confirmation
MRV Fee Payment Receipt	Visa fee must be paid prior to appointment
Appointment Confirmation	From the US visa scheduling system
Photo (Digital + Printed)	As per US visa specifications (white background)
Purpose-related Documents	Business invitation, travel itinerary, etc.
Proof of Ties	Job letter, property papers, family proof, etc.
Financial Evidence	Bank statements, tax returns, payslips, etc.

 

 

 

Steps to apply for a US Tourist visa

You can follow the below steps to apply for a US tourist visa:

Step 1: Fill out the DS-160 form online at ceac.state.gov.

Step 2: Pay the MRV visa fee of $185.

Step 3: Book two appointments:

• VAC appointment (biometrics)
• Embassy/Consulate interview

Step 4: Attend the VAC appointment and visa interview.

Step 5: Submit required documents.

Step 6: Await visa decision and passport return.

 

B1 vs B2 Visa Differences

Category	B1 Visa (Business)	B2 Visa (Tourism/Visitor)
Primary Purpose	Business activities (meetings, conferences)	Tourism, visiting family/friends, medical visits
Eligibility	Business travelers with purpose documents	Tourists or family visitors with valid intent
Examples of Activities	Negotiating contracts, attending trade fairs	Sightseeing, family visits, attending events
Sponsorship	May be sponsored by employer or self-funded	Typically self-funded or sponsored by family
Documentation	Business invitations, meeting schedules	Travel itinerary, hotel bookings, invitation
Stay Duration	Typically up to 6 months per visit	Typically up to 6 months per visit
Visa Validity	Usually 1–10 years (multiple entry)	Usually 1–10 years (multiple entry)
Extension Option	Possible with strong justification	Possible with strong justification
Permitted Work	No paid work; only permissible business tasks	No employment or paid activity
Interview Requirement	Usually required	Usually required
Visa Fee	$185	$185
Dependents	Must apply separately	Must apply separately

 

 

US Tourist Visa Fees

The table below has details of the US visit visa fees:

Visa Type	Application Fee (USD)
B-1	$185
B-2	$185
B-1/B-2	$185
C-1	$185

 

US Tourist Visa Processing Time

The table below has details of the average processing time for the US tourist visa:

Visa Type	Average Interview Wait Time (Global)	Post-Interview Processing Time	Estimated Total Time (UK Applicants)
B-1	2–12 weeks (location-dependent)	3–5 weeks	6–10 weeks total (London/Belfast)
B-2	2–12 weeks (location-dependent)	3–5 weeks	6–10 weeks total (London/Belfast)
B-1/B-2	2–12 weeks (location-dependent)	3–5 weeks	6–10 weeks total (London/Belfast)
C-1	2–8 weeks (varies by location)	3–5 weeks	5–8 weeks total (London/Belfast)

 

US Visit Visa Validity & Extension

U.S. visitor visas, such as the B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism/medical), are typically issued with long validity periods, allowing multiple entries into the United States. However, while the visa may be valid for several years, each stay in the U.S. is limited to a maximum of 6 months per entry. Visa extensions are possible but must be applied for from within the U.S. before your authorized stay expires.

The table below gives you an overview of the US visit visa validity along with the extension possibilities:

Visa Type	Typical Validity	Maximum Stay per Visit	Extension Possibility
B-1	Up to 10 years	Up to 6 months	Yes, with USCIS approval
B-2	Up to 10 years	Up to 6 months	Yes, with USCIS approval
B-1/B-2	Up to 10 years	Up to 6 months	Yes, with USCIS approval
C-1 (Transit)	Up to 29 days	Transit only (short stay)	No

 

Visa Refusals & Reapplication

Being denied a US visitor visa can be disappointing, but it is not the end of the road. Common reasons for refusal include:

• Insufficient financial documentation to prove you can support yourself during your stay
• Weak ties to your home country, such as lack of stable employment or family obligations
• Unclear or inconsistent purpose of travel as presented in the application or during the interview
• Incomplete or inaccurate documents submitted with the application

If your visa is refused under Section 214(b) or any other grounds, you can reapply at any time. However, it is strongly recommended to reapply only after addressing the reason for refusal. Ensure you provide updated and stronger evidence, whether it's improved financial status, clarified travel purpose, or new supporting documents.

Y-Axis can assist you with application review, documentation correction, and mock interview sessions to improve your chances of approval upon reapplication.

 

Can You Take Family with You?

Yes, family members such as your spouse, children, or parents can accompany you to the United States, but each individual must apply for their own B1/B2 visa. There is no group or family visa under the visitor category—each applicant is assessed independently.

Some of the key points to remember include:

• Separate Applications: Every accompanying family member must submit a separate DS-160 form and pay the visa application fee.
• Documentation: Each applicant must provide proof of relationship, travel plans, financial support, and intent to return to the UK after the visit.
• Interview Requirement: Children under 14 and adults over 80 are usually exempt from the in-person interview, though they must still submit a complete application with all supporting documents.

Note: All other applicants must attend a consular interview at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

 

How can Y-Axis help you?

As the leading overseas immigration consultancy in the UK, Y-Axis has been providing dedicated immigration assistance to its customers for more than 25 years. Our team of visa and immigration experts will give end-to-end guidance for all your immigration needs:

• Analyzing your profile and suggesting the best-suited visa options for you
• Assistance with DS-160 form preparation and review
• Customized document checklist based on your profile
• Help with appointment booking and fee payments
• Mock interview coaching and guidance for the visa interview
• Get you updates and follow-ups on your visa application process