B-2 VISA FOR TOURISM/VISITORS

The B-2 visa classification covers those who are planning to come to the United States for pleasure. It covers visits for tourism, medical assistance, relatives or friends, participation in conferences, participation in incidental or short courses of study, and participation in amateur arts and entertainment events. It is intended for those looking to travel to the United States for their own personal satisfaction and entertainment. For example, an individual who is looking to visit Disneyland in California and see some friends would be applying for a B-2 Tourism visa.

READ OUR B-2 SUCCESS STORIES

LEGAL FEE

Our fee structure is unique to us as we strive to tailor our services for each client individually. We adapt price standards that are capable of fluctuating for each client depending on their unique needs. Clients may retain us for one or all of the above steps/services.

Our typical fee for a standard B-2 visa case is $3,500, not including, a governmental fee and third-party extensions. We are happy to customize a proposal for you during a consultation and walk you through what a standard B-2 visa case looks like. Please see below for more information.

CASE PROCESSING OVERVIEW

Step 1: Strategy Session for B-2 Visa

This is the most crucial step for your entire B-2 Visa. We will review all of the supporting documents to create a strategy, a customized checklist, and a timeline to serve as the guiding foundation for the entire case preparation.

Step 2: Prepare and Submit B-2 Application to USCIS and Answer Potential Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)

Our attorneys will craft your B-2 arguments and complete all forms, organize supporting documents and assemble the crafted arguments into the proper application formats.

Step 3: Prepare Client for Interview in the US or at the Consulate

It all comes down to this. We help guide the client in his/her preparation for the interview with USCIS by simulating the interview and ensuring the client is well-versed in the application material. Our services include a comprehensive strategy for answering inquiries posed, practice questions, thorough feedback, and other tools to help clients succeed during the interviews.

Step 4: Approval is Only the Beginning

Our services do not end when you receive your B-2 Approval — this is only the beginning. To help accommodate this reality, our team will continue to provide guidance and support to you and your dependent family members post-approval with the following:

CBP – Airport Arrival
Dependent Visas/Work Permits
Reentry Permits
and more!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Checklist of Required Evidence

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

Additional Documents May be Required

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

The purpose of your trip,
Your intent to depart the United States after your trip, and/or
Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.

Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.

Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant’s residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.

Filing Fee

The updated filing fee for B-2 can be found here.

Eligibility for B2 Visa

To be allowed to go to the US with a B-2 visa, you have to meet the following eligibility criteria:

That your intent for visiting is compliant with the B-2 visa allowed purposes of visit.
You have enough financial means to cover your stay in the US.
You intend to return to your home country as soon as your visa expires and you do not intend to stay in the US.

The applicant must show that the visit to the United States is temporary and for valid activities permitted under the B-2;

If you are obtaining the B-2 visa to receive medical treatment in the U.S., then the consular officer may ask for further documentation. This might include the following:

Medical diagnosis from a local physician and an explanation about the need for treatment in the U.S.;
Letter from a physician or medical facility in the U.S. stating they are willing to treat your ailment and an explanation of the projected cost of treatment;
Proof of your financial ability to pay for the treatment. This may be in the form of a bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns.

Relevant Law

Section 402.2(C)(U) of Federal Affairs Manual – Residence Abroad

The term “residence’ is defined in INA §101(a)(33) as the place of general abode. Per the FAM, the consular officer must assess whether a B-2 visa applicant has residence in a foreign country that the applicant does not intend to abandon.

Section 402.2-2(D)(U) of Federal Affairs Manual – Temporary Period of Stay

The period of time projected for the visit must be consistent with the stated purpose of the trip. The applicants must establish with reasonable certainty that departure from the United States will take place upon completion of the temporary visit. The applicant must demonstrate permanent employment, meaningful business or financial connections, close family ties, or social or cultural associations, which will indicate a strong inducement to return to the country of origin.

Section 402.2-4(U) Tour Visas (B-2) – Aliens Coming to the United States as Visitors for Pleasure

According to 9 FAM 402.2-4, aliens traveling to the United States for purposes of tourism or to make social visits to relatives or friends may be classifiable as nonimmigrant B-2 visitors.

SAMPLE & TEMPLATES

Attorney Brief: [coming soon] We will provide an attorney brief sample for the B-2 visa.

Cover Letter: [coming soon] We will also provide a cover letter sample for the B-2 visa.

Sample Request for Evidence: [coming soon] Requests for evidence can be used to strengthen the case.

Forms: Here is a list of the forms that are needed by USCIS

Sample Checklist: [coming soon] We look at the client’s unique situation and create customized checklists to strengthen their cases.

USCIS Fee Calculator: This is to help calculate how much the filing fee will be.

USCIS Mailing Address: This address is where it is mailed to USCIS.

USCIS Processing Timetable: This will help you figure out how long it will take to process.

ASC Field Offices: Listed are the addresses of the field offices for the bio-metrics.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the maximum total amount of time permitted in B-2 status?

The maximum duration of stay on a B-2 visa is 6 months. During that time, you can travel throughout the US or for any other purpose. However, as soon as your visa expires, you must return to your home country.

Can I extend my stay under the B-2 Visa?

If you want to stay longer, you can get a B-2 visa extension for an additional 6 months.

You should apply for a B-2 visa extension at least 42 days before the expiration of your I-94 card. Yet, you are not allowed to apply within three months of arrival in the US.
Submit the following documents to apply for a B-2 visa extension:

Completed form I-539.
Your valid passport.
A written statement on the reason behind the requested extension.
Evidence of financial support.
Payment of the B-2 visa extension fee, which is $370.
Original or photocopy of I-94 card.

The B-2 visa extension processing time varies on the number of applications USCIS is processing at the time of your application.

Can I Get a Green Card With a US Tourist Visa?

It is very difficult to get permanent residence or a Green Card from a US Tourist Visa. This is because the B-2 visa is a temporary US visa.

To get the US Tourist Visa, you must prove that you will return to your home country after it expires. The B-2 visa does not allow you to look for a job or start studying, so you cannot stay in the US for more than the allowed time.

How Long is the B-2 Visa Processing Time?

The B-2 visa may take a few weeks up to a few months to process. Processing times for B-2 tourist visas and US visitor visas differ from country to country. It depends on the workload that the US Embassy where you applied has. If you do not hear from the Embassy, be patient and wait for them to inform you whether you got the visa or not.

Can my parents visit me in the U.S. with a B-2 Visa?

If you live in the United States, work or study, you can invite your parents to visit you. They can enter the United States on a B-2 visa. They will have to follow all the processes explained above in this article. The only thing that will be a little different is the list of mandatory documents for parents.

You are responsible for collecting certain documents for your parents. They will also have to raise additional funds in their country of origin.

The B-2 visa documents required for parents are:

Passports: Your parents will need to have valid passports;
Complete Form DS-160 ;
Provide a bank verification letter: You must submit proof that you are able to financially support your parents during their stay in the United States;
Verification of your employment: You will need to request this letter from your current employer;
Provide the letter of invitation: You will need to write a letter to your parents inviting them to visit you in the United States.

Can my parents visit me in the U.S. with a B-2 Visa?

If you live in the United States, work or study, you can invite your parents to visit you. They can enter the United States on a B2 visa. They will have to follow all the processes explained above in this article. The only thing that will be a little different is the list of mandatory documents for parents.

You are responsible for collecting certain documents for your parents. They will also have to raise additional funds in their country of origin.

The B-2 visa documents required for parents are:

Passports : Your parents will need to have valid passports;
Complete Form DS-160 ;
Provide a bank verification letter : You must submit proof that you are able to financially support your parents during their stay in the United States;
Verification of your employment : You will need to request this letter from your current employer;
Provide the letter of invitation : You will need to write a letter to your parents inviting them to visit you in the United States.

SCHEDULE A SESSION

Call or email us to set up your 1-hour consultation. Easily pay the $250 consultation fee over the phone or through our email link. If you would like to have a quick chat with our team before setting up the consultation, feel free to use the calendar on the right to book your 10 minute call.