B2 / B-2 Visa: Visitor for Pleasure or Medical Treatment
Description
This visa (tourist) allows foreign visitors to enter the United States for a temporary visit for pleasure, tourism and medical treatment purposes. The visa may be issued in either single entry or multiple entry formats. The visa may also be issued for a limited time frame or on an indefinite basis.
B2 / B-2 VISA ADVANTAGES
No Sponsor Required
Any foreign person may file an application for a tourist visa without the necessity of a United States sponsor.
Ease of Application
The application itself is filed directly at a United States consulate abroad and typically a decision is made on an immediate or short term basis.
Change of Status
While present in the United States, should the visitor's intentions change as a result of post-admission circumstances, it is possible to seek a change of status to other non-immigrant classifications.
B2 / B-2 VISA REQUIREMENTS
Valid Passport
The visa is issued by placement within a valid passport.
Non-Immigrant Intent
The foreign national must satisfy the consular officer that he has "compelling" social and economic ties abroad and will return abroad upon the completion of his temporary visit for pleasure or medical treatment and will not engage in unauthorized employment in the United States. This includes demonstrating that the foreign national has a residence outside the United States.
Financial Capability
The visa will only be issued to applicants who demonstrate the financial resources that would accommodate round trip travel to and from the United States as well as payment of all living expenses during the temporary visit.
B2 / B-2 VISA LIMITATIONS
Limited Stay
The B-2 visa allows the temporary visitor to enter the United States for an initial stay of no more than six months.
Limited Accessibility
The B-2 visitor is expected to maintain his residence abroad. Many Border Patrol agents interpret this to mean that the visitor should, over the long course, average no more than six months per year in the United States. While it is possible to obtain a six month extension, and then depart the country and re-apply for admission immediately, the inspecting Immigration officer may deny admission for failure to maintain sufficient presence abroad.
No Employment
No employment is authorized in the United States while present on a B-2 visitor's visa.
Family Not Included
Each family member must apply for and receive his own B-2 visa in order to enter the United States.
B2 / B-2 Visa Waiver Program
Foreign nationals who are residents of certain countries listed in the table below may also be able to take advantage of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which does not require a visa to visit the United States for pleasure or medical treatment purposes.
|
For more information on this program please visit the Department of State page listed below:
Useful Links for the B-2 Pleasure Visitor Visa
