What Are the US Tourist Visa (B-1/B-2) Requirements in 2026?

Do you need a visa or an ESTA?

First, check whether you even need a visa. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries can visit the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days using an approved ESTA travel authorization instead of a B visa. Everyone else generally needs a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visitor visa.

The B-1 and B-2 are usually issued together as a B-1/B-2 combined visa, allowing tourism, visiting family, medical treatment, and short business meetings — but not employment or long-term study. If your trip involves paid work or a degree program, you need a different visa class.

Core requirements and documents

The baseline requirements are a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay, a completed Form DS-160 (the online nonimmigrant visa application), a compliant photo, and payment of the visa application fee — about $185 for a B visa in 2026. You will receive a DS-160 confirmation page to bring to the interview.

Supporting documents typically include proof of funds (bank statements), evidence of ties to your home country (employment letter, property, family), a travel itinerary or purpose of visit, and, if someone is hosting or sponsoring you, an invitation letter and their financial documents. Requirements can vary slightly by embassy.

The DS-160 and the interview

After completing the DS-160 and paying the fee, you schedule a visa interview at the US embassy or consulate in your country (applicants aged roughly 14–79 generally must interview). Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, photo, fee receipt, and supporting documents.

At the interview a consular officer asks about your trip, finances, and ties. Approval is not about paperwork alone — it is about credibility. Under section 214(b) of US immigration law, officers presume every visitor intends to immigrate, and you must overcome that presumption by showing strong reasons to return home.

Approval factors, validity, and overstays

The most common refusal reason is failure to prove strong home ties — a stable job, family, property, or studies that anchor you. Vague plans, inconsistent answers, or weak finances hurt. Refusals under 214(b) are not permanent; you can reapply if your circumstances strengthen.

If approved, a B-1/B-2 is often issued for multiple years, but each entry's allowed stay is set by the officer at the border (commonly up to six months). Overstaying can void your visa and trigger multi-year bars on returning, so always respect the date on your I-94. Check current fees and rules on the official State Department site before applying.

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