Applying for a B1/B2 Visitor Visa
Who should buy this package?
You should buy this package if you are interested in applying for a tourist visa to enter the United States and you would like a bit of guidance as to how to put forward a strong application and complete this process as quickly and painlessly as possible. This package is designed for applicants who are currently outside the United States, and who are interested in temporarily coming to the United States for either business or tourism.
This package is intended only for individuals who have “clean” criminal and U.S. immigration histories. You should not buy this package if you have a serious criminal history (including any convictions for drugs, no matter how minor) or you have committed violations of U.S. immigration law in the past. In either case, you might not be eligible for a tourist visa. If you have any reason to suspect that you might not be eligible for a tourist visa, you should consult with an experienced U.S. immigration attorney prior to filing your application.
Please note that citizens of a number of countries can enter the United States using the Visa Waiver Program, which is commonly known as “ESTA.” A full list of ESTA-eligible countries can be found here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visa-waiver-program.html. You should check to make sure you need a visa to enter the United States before purchasing this package.
What is in this package?
- Overview of the process of obtaining a tourist visa to the United States, from start to finish.
- Checklist of evidence that you will need to take to your interview.
- Step-by-step instructions for obtaining a tourist visa to the United States. The step-by step instructions will guide you through the process of collecting necessary evidence, filling out your paperwork, submitting your visa application, preparing for your interview at a US Embassy or Consulate, and everything in between.
- Example Letters of Invitation. If you are intending to travel to the United States in order to visit a friend, relative, or business associate, it is often helpful to have a letter from them to show the U.S. consular official. These examples are meant to give you a sense of the sort of information that U.S. consular officers are looking for.
- Example Letters of Employment. Demonstrating to a U.S. consular official that you have a good job in your home country is a major factor used to determine whether to issue you a tourist visa. These examples are meant to give you a sense of the sort of information your employer should provide in order to maximize your chances of getting approved.
- Checklist of documents to bring to your Consular Interview. Consular officers will expect to see a number of documents at the time you attend your consular interview. Reviewing this checklist will help to ensure that you bring everything that you need to your interview.
- Frequently Asked Questions, answering some of the most common questions that applicants have when filing applications for B1/B2 tourist visas.
How to use this package?
Follow the step-by-step instructions on how to submit an application for a tourist visa with the U.S. Department of State and how to prepare for your interview at an U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The package starts with an overview of the process of applying for a tourist visa, provides detailed instructions for how to complete the visa application form, and provides a checklist of the documents that you’ll need to take with you to your consular interview. Following the guidance in the package will help make sure that you only have to go to the Embassy or Consulate once!
Special instructions
U.S. immigration law generally prohibits certain classes of individuals from receiving visas and entering the United States, including people with certain criminal convictions and certain previous violations of U.S. immigration law. If you suspect that you may be ineligible for a U.S. visa, you should speak to an experienced U.S. immigration attorney before filing a visa application.
While a conviction for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI) will not necessarily prevent you from obtaining a visa to enter the United States, a DUI conviction sometimes leads US consular officials to request that you undergo additional medical evaluations to prove that you do not have a substance abuse problem. If you have been convicted of a DUI in the past, you should start the visa application process as soon as possible so that you do not have to delay your travel plans in order to comply with these additional requirements. Please also note that multiple DUI convictions may impact your eligibility for a US visa, and you should speak with an experienced immigration attorney prior to filing your application.