intended for business meetings, conferences, ​negotiating contracts, or participating in short-​term training programs

for those entering the U.S. for tourism, vacation, ​visiting friends or family, medical treatment, or ​participation in amateur events as part of a social ​organization.

The B1 visa is for business-related travel, such as ​attending conferences, meetings, or negotiating ​contracts. The B2 visa is for tourism, visiting friends ​or family, and medical treatment. Both visas are ​often issued together as a B1/B2 visa, allowing for ​both business and leisure activities during your ​stay.

The duration of your stay is determined by U.S. ​Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of ​entry. Typically, visitors are granted up to six ​months, but the exact duration is based on the ​purpose of your visit and your travel plans.

No, the B1/B2 visa does not allow for employment ​or enrollment in degree programs. Engaging in ​unauthorized work or study can result in visa ​revocation and removal from the U.S.

The validity of a B1/B2 visa varies depending on the applicant's nationality and the decision of the consular ​officer. It can be valid for a few months to several years, with multiple entries allowed during that period.

Commonly required documents include:

• A valid passport.
  
• A completed DS-160 form.
  
• A visa application fee receipt.
  
• A passport-sized photo.
  
• Documents supporting the purpose of your visit, such as an invitation letter for a business meeting (B1) or ​travel itinerary for tourism (B2).
  
• Evidence of ties to your home country, like employment letters, property ownership, or family connections.
  

While a return ticket is not required to apply for the visa, it can be helpful during the interview and at the port ​of entry to demonstrate your intent to return to your home country after your visit.

Yes, you can apply to extend your stay by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant ​Status, before your authorized stay expires. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on your circumstances ​and the reason for the extension.

If your visa application is denied, you will be informed of the reason during your interview. You can reapply if ​you believe your circumstances have changed or if you can provide additional information that may lead to a ​different outcome.

Yes, most applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 must attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or ​consulate. Some applicants may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if their previous visa expired ​within the last 48 months.

Family members may apply for their own B2 visas to accompany you on your trip. Each applicant must submit ​their own application and attend a visa interview, if required.

Yes, the B2 visa specifically allows for travel to the U.S. for medical treatment. You may need to provide ​documentation, such as a letter from your doctor and a statement from a U.S. medical provider willing to treat ​you, as part of your visa application.

If your visa is lost or stolen, you should report it to the local police and obtain a police report. You must also ​inform the U.S. embassy or consulate and apply for a new visa if you plan to leave the U.S. and return.

No, you cannot apply for a B1/B2 visa while in the U.S. You must apply for the B1/B2 visa from outside the U.S., ​typically from your home country.

In some cases, you may be eligible to change your status to another visa category, such as an F1 student visa ​or an H1B work visa, while in the U.S. This process requires filing Form I-539 and meeting the eligibility criteria ​for the new visa category.

Yes, once you are admitted to the U.S. on a B1/B2 visa, you are free to travel between different states. There ​are no restrictions on domestic travel within the U.S. during your authorized stay.

A single-entry visa allows you to enter the U.S. only once within the visa's validity period. A multiple-entry visa ​allows you to enter and exit the U.S. multiple times during the validity period, without needing to reapply for a ​visa each time.

No, the B1/B2 visa does not permit enrollment in a full-time academic program. If you wish to study in the U.S., ​you must apply for an F1 student visa.

No, the B1/B2 visa and ESTA are different. ESTA is a visa waiver program that allows citizens of certain ​countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. The B1/B2 visa is a standard nonimmigrant visa ​that requires a formal application process, including a visa interview.

Processing times vary depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply, but it typically takes a few ​weeks from the time of application to receive a decision. Some applications may require additional ​administrative processing, which can extend the wait time.

Citizens from countries like Pakistan experience delays because of long embassy ques, where the interview ​has to be scheduled. Currently, it is taking about a year from the time of appointment to schedule the ​interview in US embassy of Pakistan.

In some cases, you may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if your previous B1/B2 visa expired ​within the last 48 months. Eligibility for the interview waiver program depends on specific criteria, including ​your age and the type of visa you previously held.