USA Visitor Visa 2026: How to Apply for a B1/B2 Visa

A B1/B2 visa allows foreign nationals to visit the United States temporarily for approved business or personal purposes. It is commonly used for tourism, visiting family and friends, medical treatment, business meetings, and conferences.

For parents traveling to the USA to visit their children or relatives, the B2 category is generally the relevant visitor visa.

Before applying, it is important to understand how the B1/B2 visa process works, which documents may be required, what to expect at the visa interview, and how visa validity differs from the period you are actually allowed to stay in the United States.

Quick Answer: What Is a B1/B2 Visa?

A B1/B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visitor visa for temporary travel to the United States.

A B1 visa covers certain temporary business activities, such as attending conferences or negotiating contracts. A B2 visa covers tourism, vacations, visiting relatives or friends, medical treatment, and certain social or recreational activities.

The two categories are commonly issued together as a B1/B2 visitor visa.

Parents visiting the USA need to obtain this visitor visa, and this complete guide on parents’ visitor visas is helpful.

What Is the Difference Between a B1 and B2 Visa?

Visa Type	Common Purposes
B1 Visa	Business meetings, conferences, consulting with business associates, negotiating contracts
B2 Visa	Tourism, vacations, visiting family or friends, medical treatment, certain social activities
B1/B2 Visa	Permitted temporary activities under either category

A visitor visa does not authorize regular employment in the United States. It also cannot generally be used for permanent residence, degree-based study, paid professional performances, or work as foreign media.

How to Apply for a B1/B2 Visa in 2026

The order of some steps may vary depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling the application, but the basic process is as follows.

1. Complete the DS-160 Form

Begin by completing Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, through the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center.

The form asks for information about your passport, personal background, employment, travel history, and intended visit to the United States. Applicants must also upload a photograph that meets U.S. visa requirements.

After submitting the DS-160, save and print the confirmation page with the barcode. You will need it during the visa application process.

All information provided should be complete and accurate.

2. Pay the B1/B2 Visa Application Fee

The standard Machine Readable Visa (MRV) processing fee is $185 USD. However, a non-refundable $250 USD Visa Integrity Fee is also mandatory for issued non-immigrant visas. This brings the total visa cost to $435 USD (approximately ₹36,000 to ₹40,000 depending on exchange rates)

3. Schedule the Visa Interview

Nonimmigrant visa applicants should schedule their interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.

Applicants applying based on residence should be able to demonstrate residence in that country. Applying outside the country of nationality or residence may result in significantly longer appointment waits and may also make it more difficult to establish visa eligibility.

Appointment wait times vary by location, season, and visa category, so applicants should check the latest information for the Embassy or Consulate where they intend to apply.

4. Prepare the Required Documents

The U.S. Department of State lists the following among the primary documents required for a visitor visa interview:

• A passport valid for travel to the United States, generally for at least six months beyond the intended stay unless an exemption applies
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Visa application fee receipt, when required before the interview
• A printed photograph if the DS-160 photo upload was unsuccessful

Additional documents may be requested to establish the purpose of the trip, the applicant’s intention to leave the United States after the visit, and the ability to cover travel expenses. Employment, financial, family, or other supporting documents may therefore be relevant depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

Do You Need Flight Tickets Before a B2 Visa Interview?

No. You do not need to purchase confirmed flight tickets before your B2 visa interview.

You should have a clear idea of your intended travel dates, expected length of stay, destination, and purpose of travel. However, the U.S. Department of State advises applicants not to make final travel plans or buy tickets until the visa has been issued.

If you already have a tentative itinerary or a refundable reservation for planning purposes, you can keep those details available. However, purchasing a non-refundable ticket does not improve your chances of visa approval.

The important point is to have a clear and credible travel plan without taking on unnecessary financial risk before the visa decision.

Is an Invitation Letter Required for a B2 Visa?

No. An invitation letter is not required for a U.S. visitor visa.

The U.S. Department of State also states that an Affidavit of Support is not required. Applicants must qualify based on their own circumstances and ties outside the United States rather than assurances from relatives or friends in the USA.

If you are visiting family, you should still be prepared to explain whom you are visiting, where you will stay, and how long you intend to remain in the United States.

What Happens at the B1/B2 Visa Interview?

During the visa interview, a consular officer determines whether the applicant qualifies for a B1/B2 visitor visa.

Questions may relate to the purpose of travel, expected length of stay, occupation, financial circumstances, family situation, previous travel, and ties outside the United States.

Digital fingerprints are also generally collected as part of the visa process, although procedures can vary by location.

Applicants should answer all questions accurately and consistently with the information provided on the DS-160.

After the interview, the visa may be approved or refused. In some cases, additional documents or administrative processing may be required before the application can be completed.

Can You Get a B1/B2 Visa Without an Interview?

Most applicants require an in-person interview, and age-based exemptions are entirely abolished. All first-time applicants, including newborns, minors under 14, and seniors over 79, must physically attend a consular interview.

The only interview waiver available applies strictly to adult renewal applicants whose previous full-validity B1/B2 visa expired within the last 12 months, provided they were at least 18 when it was issued and are applying in their home country.

Why Can a B1/B2 Visa Be Refused?

A U.S. visitor visa can be refused for several reasons.

A refusal under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act generally means that the applicant did not sufficiently establish eligibility for the requested nonimmigrant visa or did not overcome the presumption of immigrant intent.

A 221(g) refusal may mean that additional information or documents are required or that the application needs further administrative processing.

Each application is assessed individually. Carrying a large number of documents does not by itself guarantee approval.

How Long Is a B1/B2 Visa Valid?

B1/B2 visa validity depends on the traveler’s nationality and the applicable U.S. reciprocity schedule.

For Indian passport holders, B1, B2, and B1/B2 visas are currently listed as multiple-entry visas with a validity period of 120 months, or 10 years.

However, visa validity should not be confused with the amount of time a visitor is authorized to remain in the United States during an individual trip.

How Long Can You Stay in the USA on a B1/B2 Visa?

A 10-year B1/B2 visa does not mean the visitor can remain in the United States for 10 years.

The visa allows the traveler to arrive at a U.S. port of entry and request admission. U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines whether the person will be admitted and the authorized period of stay.

Visitors should therefore check their admission information after entering the country rather than using the expiration date printed on the visa to determine when they must leave.

What Is Form I-94?

Form I-94 is the arrival and departure record used to document a foreign visitor’s admission to the United States.

CBP now collects much of this arrival and departure information electronically, and travelers can retrieve their admission record through the I-94 system.

Visitors should check their I-94 information after entering the United States and confirm the authorized period of stay.

This is especially important for parents or relatives planning longer visits because the visa expiration date and the authorized stay are separate.

Can You Extend a B2 Stay in the United States?

A B2 visitor who needs additional time in the United States may be able to request an extension from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Visitors should apply before their current authorized stay expires. Approval is not automatic, and remaining in the United States beyond the authorized period can affect future visa eligibility and travel.

Do You Need Visitor Medical Insurance for a B2 Visa?

Visitor medical insurance is not listed as a requirement for obtaining a B1/B2 visitor visa.

However, it becomes an important consideration once the visa is approved and the trip is being planned.

Visitors to the United States may face significant medical expenses if they require emergency care, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, or specialist treatment.

Parents, senior travelers, and visitors with an existing medical history should also review how a policy handles pre-existing conditions before purchasing coverage.

The right visitor insurance plan will depend on factors such as age, duration of stay, deductible, policy maximum, medical history, and the benefits and exclusions of the policy.

Traveling to the USA? Compare Visitor Insurance Before Your Trip

Once your B1/B2 visa is approved and your travel dates are confirmed, consider your healthcare needs for the duration of your U.S. visit.

OnshoreKare helps international travelers compare visitor medical insurance for the USA, including options for parents, senior travelers, longer stays, and plans that may provide eligible benefits related to the acute onset or treatment of certain pre-existing conditions.

Compare visitor insurance plans with OnshoreKare and choose coverage based on your travel and healthcare needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About the USA Visitor Visa

How much does a B1/B2 visa cost in 2026?

The total cost is $435 USD. This includes the $185 base application fee plus the standard $250 Visa Integrity Fee.

How long can I stay in the USA with a B1/B2 visa?

The authorized period of stay is determined when you enter the United States. The expiration date printed on the visa does not determine how long you can remain during each visit.

Is a B1/B2 visa valid for 10 years?

It depends on nationality. For Indian passport holders, B1, B2, and B1/B2 visas are currently listed as multiple-entry visas valid for 120 months.

Can parents visit their children in the USA on a B2 visa?

Yes. Visiting relatives is a permitted B2 visa purpose. Parents traveling temporarily to visit their children in the United States can apply for a B2 or combined B1/B2 visa.

Is an invitation letter required for a U.S. visitor visa?

No. An invitation letter or Affidavit of Support is not required for a B1/B2 visitor visa application.

Do I need confirmed flight tickets for a B2 visa interview?

No. Applicants should have a clear travel plan, but the State Department advises against purchasing tickets or making final travel arrangements until the visa is issued.

Can I renew my B1/B2 visa without an interview?

Yes, but only if you are an adult over 18 renewing a visa that expired less than 12 months ago. Minors, first-time applicants, and anyone whose visa expired more than a year ago must do an in-person interview.

Can I work in the USA on a B1/B2 visa?

No. A B1/B2 visitor visa does not authorize regular employment in the United States. The B1 category permits certain temporary business activities, but it is not a work visa.

Can I extend my B2 stay in the USA?

Eligible visitors may request an extension before their authorized stay expires. Approval is not guaranteed, and visitors should not remain beyond their permitted stay without maintaining lawful status.