CanAm Global Immigration Services

Visit Visa - B-2 Visa:

Tourists on a pleasure trip to the U.S.
People visiting friends and relatives in the U.S.
People coming to the U.S. for medical treatment
Foreign nationals coming to the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder, upon establishing to the consular official and the USCIS that after the marriage, they will depart from the U.S., even though intending ultimately to immigrate
Amateur athletes, musicians etc. who participate in their respective activities in the U.S. without remuneration
People coming to participate in the conventions of social organizations
Dependents of alien members of the U.S. armed forces temporarily assigned duty in the U.S.
Dependents of crewmembers (D visa holders) or
B-1 visa holders solely to accompany the principal foreign national
Dependents of nonimmigrant for whom no derivative classification is available. For example, the elderly parent of an E visa holder
Persons to enter the U.S. to apply for special naturalization benefits on the basis of U.S. military service

Persons seeking a change to another visa status if they so advise the U.S. Consulate, and if the consulate is fully appraised of the circumstances

U.S. citizens, green card holders and nonimmigrant visa holders to invite their friends and relatives to the U.S.1. What is a B-2 tourist visa to US?

What is a B-2 tourist visa to US?
The B-2 tourist visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals to enter into the U.S. temporarily for activities like tourism, visiting friends and relatives, medical care, participation in conventions, conferences, or convocations of fraternal or social organizations, participation by amateurs in musical, sports and similar events.
How do I qualify for tourist visa?
To qualify for tourist visa, you must demonstrate that:

• The purpose of your trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment
• You plan to remain in the U.S. for a specific, limited period
• You have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties, which will insure your return abroad at the end of the visit
Who are ineligible for B-2 visa?
The nonimmigrant visa application USCIS Form DS-156 lists classes of persons who are ineligible under U.S. law to receive visas. In some instances an applicant who is ineligible, but who is otherwise properly classifiable as a visitor, may apply for a waiver of ineligibility and be issued a visa if the waiver is approved.
How long can I stay in the U.S. on B-2 visa?
The B-2 visa duration varies between single entry with one month's duration, and multiple entries with five years' duration.
Can I apply for change of status on B-2 visa?
Yes, you may apply for change of status from a B-2 tourist visa to another nonimmigrant category provided you can prove that you had no preconceived intent to change status. If you intend to change status to F-1, M-1 or J-1 , you must state your intent while applying for the B-2 visa.
Can I study or work on US tourist visa?
No, you may not study or work on US tourist visa. The consulate, however, may permit you to participate in a short-term training or a company course, provided your sponsoring company takes care of the expenses.
Are there any travel restrictions on B-2 visa?
If you have a multiple entry visa, there are no restrictions on the number of times you may travel in and out of the U.S. on that B-2 visa. You can stay out of the U.S. as long as you want and re-enter the U.S. before your B-2 visa expires.
Can I bring my dependents on B-2 visa?
Yes, you may bring members of your or your spouses' immediate family or your relatives to stay along with you. You may also bring a domestic or personal servant on nonimmigrant status, provided you can show that:
• He or she is not abandoning his or her residence in the home country
• He or she has worked for you for at least one year, or has had an ongoing employment relationship with you, and has at least one year of experience as a domestic servant
Note: Each person traveling must qualify for B-2 visa and obtain his/her own visa.
Can my dependents study on USA tourist visa?
No, your dependents may not study on USA tourist visa. They must apply for the appropriate student visa.
What is the processing time for B-2 visa?
With the new procedures instituted by the U.S. Department of State, the consulates may take up to eight weeks for issuing the visa. We recommend you to apply at least eight weeks before the day you wish to travel.
What are the documents required for B-2 visa?
To apply for the B-2 visa, the documents required are:

• Nonrefundable application fee of U.S. $100
• A USCIS Form DS-156 completed and signed. Blank forms are available without charge at all American Consulates
• A passport valid for travel
• Two photographs 1 and 1/2 square inches
• Proof of financial assets
• House registrations, marriage certificates or wedding photos, and birth certificates to confirm family ties
• Evidence of your professional status, if you are a doctor, lawyer, engineer or a member of any professional association
Where can I apply for B-2 visa?
You may apply for the B-2 visa at the Consular Section of the American Consulate in your home country.
When does an American Consulate accept B-2 tourist visa applications?
The applications for nonimmigrant visas (including visas for tourism, business and study) are accepted on all working days.
Note: You need to take prior appointment.
Does a B-2 visa guarantee me entry into the U.S.?
The B-2 tourist visa does not guarantee you an entry to the U.S. An officer from the USCIS will interview you when you arrive in the U.S., and determine your eligibility to enter the U.S. If in the event the officer finds you ineligible, you may be denied entry into the U.S.
I have a B visa in my old passport. Can I transfer it to my new passport?
It is not possible to transfer the visa from one passport to another, without making a new visa application.
Note: The Embassy no longer issues visas valid "indefinitely".
My passport containing a valid B visa has expired and I've obtained a new passport. Do I need a new visa now?
If the passport in which your visa has been endorsed has expired, the visa in the old passport can still be used, provided you carry a valid passport of the same nationality along with the expired passport.
Note: When canceling your old passport, if the passport authority has clipped the corners of the passport and in doing so, has damaged the visa in any way, that visa is no longer valid and cannot be used for travel to the U.S.
My passport will expire soon. Do I need to get a new passport or visa?
While visa regulations state that a passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay, the U.S. government may consider your passport to be valid until you depart the U.S.
Note: If you are traveling visa free and your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will be admitted only until the date the passport expires.
My group has a collective passport. Can the authorities issue one visa for the entire group?
As all nonimmigrant visa applicants receive individual visas, it is no longer possible to issue visas to a group of people traveling on a collective passport.
I have a B2 tourist visa. Do I also need a return ticket?
If you hold a B2 tourist visa, you are not required to hold a return ticket; you may enter the U.S. on a one way ticket. However, if you do not have a round trip ticket you may have more difficulty in proving the temporary nature of your stay.
What should I do after I receive B-2 visa?
Check the accuracy of all the data on your B-2 visa, including name, date of birth, passport number, gender, and photo. Inform the Consular Section personnel of any errors.
Is the USCIS the authorized body to extend approval at the Port of Entry?
Yes, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the sole authority to permit or deny admission to a foreign national at the Port of Entry.

Note: In addition, the period for which the foreign national is authorized to remain in the U.S. is determined by the USCIS, and not by the Department of State Consular Officer.

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