How to Apply and Prepare for a Tourist US Visa (BI/B2) Application
If your purpose for traveling to the USA is tourism, to visit friends/family, attend a conference or meeting, official business meeting or medical treatment, those are non-immigrant purposes and your visa type will be the BI/B2 Visa.
What is a B1/B2 Visa?
The B1/B2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows individuals to visit the United States for short-term stays. Hereโs what each category covers:
- B1 Visa: For business-related trips, such as attending conferences, consulting with business associates, or negotiating contracts.
- B2 Visa: For tourism, leisure, medical treatment, or visiting family and friends.
- B1/B2 Visa: A combination of both, allowing travelers flexibility for multiple non-immigrant purposes.
You should ALWAYS select the B1/B2 visa option, even if the purpose of your immediate trip is for B1 or B2 only. Since US tourist visas are generally valid for 5 years, selecting the B1/B2 option ensures that you are covered for any future non-immigrant visits if you need to use the visa again during the 5 year period, which I want to believe you would.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a B1/B2 Visa
Step 1: Determine Your Visa Eligibility
Before applying, ensure that you meet the requirements for a non-immigrant US visa. You must:
- Have a valid reason for travel (business or tourism).
- Prove that you do not have an immigrant intent (i.e intend to stay back or overstay in the US)
- Show financial stability to cover your trip expenses.
- Have strong ties to your home country (job, family, property, etc.) to indicate that you will return after your visit.
These 4 points should be at the back of your mind when filling your application form (DS160) and they will be the basis for any question you would be asked at the interview.
Step 2: Apply for a B1/B2 Visa.
There are 2 legs to the B1/B2 US visa application.
- The Application form which will be used for your review / eligibility
- The Appointment booking, which will be used in paying visa fees and scheduling your interview or drop box appointment, for application submission
The two steps are done on two different platforms and are both compulsory. You cannot have one without the other.
- Application form is submitted on – ceac.state.gov/genniv/
- Appointment booking is done on – https://www.usvisaappt.com/visa/
If you cannot DIY the visa application process and need help, you should use this link for your travel consultation / visa application with me.
Create the DS-160 US Application Form
The DS-160 is the official visa application form, and it must be filled out accurately. Hereโs how:
- Go to the Consular Electronic Application Center at ceac.state.gov/genniv/
- Select your country/city for submission and follow the prompts to create your form.
You have the option to either completely fill the form and submit or save the form for 30 days and come back to complete it later. My advice is to save your form even if you have fully completed it, and not submit until a few days to your interview or drop box submission.
Note however that you must open the form every 25 days, else you would lose all your information if 30 days elapses without you opening the form at all.
Before you close the form, ensure you write down your application number AAxxxxx as well as the secret question. You will need this information to open the form again.
To full complete your form, following the remaining steps;
- Fill in your details, travel plans, employment history, and background information. Ensure you fill all compulsory information in the application.
- Upload a digital 2×2 passport-sized photo that meets the official US visa photo requirements.
- Review all details and submit the form. You will receive a DS-160 confirmation page with a barcode โ print and keep this for your interview.
I will also advise you to download a copy of your submitted form for future reference/ and renewal.
Pay the US Visa Application Fee & Scheduling your Appointment/Drop off
The B1/B2 visa application fee is $185 and is non-refundable. Payment can be made online, either in Naira or dollars, through the designated bank on the portal, depending on your country.
Create your appointment scheduling account at https://www.usvisaappt.com/visa/ and follow the prompts to payment.
After paying the fee, you will need to book an appointment at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate to you.
PS: Due to high demand, appointment slots are limited, so scheduling as early as one year before your intended travel date is advised.
During scheduling, you will choose a passport collection location for when your visa is approved.
Related Post – Read Step by step guide for appointment booking
If you cannot DIY the visa application process and need help, you should use this link for your travel consultation / visa application with me.
Gather Your Supporting Documents
These are the documents you need to get ready to attend your interview or for your drop box appointment.
- A valid passport (with at least six months’ validity beyond your intended travel date).
- Copy of your passport bio data page (printed).
- One 2 x 2 inches passport photograph
- DS-160 confirmation page (printed).
- Visa appointment confirmation letter (printed)
- Visa fee payment receipt (printed).
It is very rare for the Visa Officer (VO) to request any other document / proof of support at an interview. They mostly engage you in a conversation. If you however feel comfortable taking with you some support document, you may consider the following;
- Employment letter / Employer introduction letter or business registration certificate (if self-employed).
- Proof of financial ability (bank statements, pay slips, or sponsorship letter if applicable).
- Previous travel history (if it is not on the same passport you are submitting at the interview)
If you are reviewing your visa in the same category as the expired one and qualify for a drop box, you are not required to submit any support document.
Attend Your Visa Interview
On the day of your interview:
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early.
- Dress appropriately (overdressing is a put off, business casual is recommended).
- The VO will collect your passport and the DS 160 confirmation slip from you, then start to ask you questions based on the information you have provided in your DS 160 application form
- Answer all questions confidently and truthfully.
- Interact with the visa officer, even if they are not looking up. Provide detailed but concise responses.
If you cannot DIY the visa application process and need help, you should use this link for your travel consultation / visa application with me.
Common Visa Interview Questions
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- Have you been to the US before?
- Why do you want to visit the US?
- Do you have family or friends in the US?
- Who are you visiting in the US?
- What is the address of the place you are visiting in the US?
- What is your relationship with the person you are visiting?
- How long have you known the person?
- When was the last you saw the person?
- What do you do for a living?
- How much do you earn?
- Who is funding your trip?
- Where is your spouse / any member of your family?
- Who are you traveling with?
- What activities would you be engaged in in the US?
Make sure to practice all these questions and provide appropriate answer you would give at your interview in the DS160 application form.
Visa Decision and Passport Collection
- If your visa is approved, your passport will be collected from you and you will be told to pick it up from the designated pick-up location you selected at appointment booking whenever you receive an email from the embassy.
Related Post – Read Checklist for passport submission and pickup
- If your visa is denied, the consular officer will provide a reason or a slip and return your passport back to you. You may reapply after addressing the concerns raised.
Tips to Improve Your Visa Approval Chances
- Fill your form accurately – Make sure you know โEVERYโ detail you have provided in your form
- Be Honest and Confident โ Any false information can result in an automatic denial.
- Provide Clear Answers โ Keep responses direct and within the question’s scope.
- Demonstrate Strong Ties to Your Home Country โ Show proof that you will return (job, family, assets, etc.).
- Avoid Over-Explaining โ Give concise but complete answers to the VOโs questions.
Final Thoughts
Applying for a B1/B2 US visa requires patience, preparation, and confidence. By following this step-by-step guide, youโll increase your chances of securing approval and making your travel dreams a reality.
Still need help or consultation for the US visa application process? , Use this link for your travel consultation / visa application with me.
