B1/B2 visitor visa
Travel to the USA for business, tourism or family
A visitor visa is a nonimmigrant visa for people entering the United States temporarily. B-1 covers business, B-2 covers tourism and visits, and many applicants receive a combined B1/B2 visa that covers both purposes.
What a B1/B2 visa covers
- Holidays and sightseeing
- Visits to friends and relatives
- Medical treatment
- Business meetings with associates
- Conferences and conventions
- Negotiating a contract or settling an estate
What it does not cover
Academic study generally requires a student visa; short recreational courses that do not count towards a degree or academic certificate may be permitted. You also cannot take up employment, give paid performances or move to the United States on a visitor visa. Each of these needs a different visa.
B1 vs B2
B1 or B2: which visa do you need?
B-1: business visitors
For temporary business activities such as meeting business associates, attending a professional conference or negotiating a contract. Your employment and income remain outside the United States.
B-2: tourists and family visitors
For holidays, visits to family and friends, and medical treatment. Parents visiting children who live in the United States usually apply for a B-2 visa.
B1/B2 combined
If your plans include both business and tourism, the consular officer may issue a combined visa. The visa's validity and number of entries follow the US reciprocity schedule for Indian citizens.
Eligibility
US tourist visa requirements for Indians
There is no fixed checklist that guarantees a visitor visa. The consular officer looks at your whole situation.
- Temporary purpose
- Your trip has a clear, temporary reason that fits the visa.
- Ties to India
- Your job, business, family and property show that you will return.
- Funds
- You can pay for your trip, or a sponsor can, and your funds match your plans.
- Honest answers
- Your DS-160 and your interview answers must be accurate and consistent.
USA Visitor Visa Documents
Application and interview documents
- A valid passport
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Visa fee payment receipt and appointment confirmation
- A photo that meets US visa photo requirements
- Supporting evidence that may be requested
- The consular officer may ask for evidence of your purpose, your ties to India and your ability to pay for the trip. Depending on your situation, this can include bank statements, income tax returns, an employer letter or business records, and earlier travel history. There is no fixed list that every applicant must bring.
- Invitation letter (optional)
- A letter from family in the US can explain your plans, but it is not required and does not decide whether a visa is issued.
How our B1/B2 review works
- Purpose check. We confirm whether your trip fits B-1, B-2 or both.
- DS-160 review. We check your answers for accuracy and consistency before you submit.
- Document plan. You receive a list matched to your purpose and profile.
- Ties review. Your job, family and assets in India are organised clearly.
- Interview preparation. We go through the questions officers commonly ask about your trip, so you can answer clearly in your own words.
- Refusal review. If you were refused before, we look at what has changed since.
The process
How to apply for a US Visitor visa from India
- Assessment. We review your purpose and profile.
- DS-160. You complete the online nonimmigrant visa application.
- Fee payment. You pay the visa application fee.
- Appointment. You schedule your appointments. Most applicants attend an interview, and the officer can require an interview from any applicant.
- Interview. You attend with your passport, DS-160 confirmation and supporting documents.
- Decision. The consular officer decides your application.
- Arrival. At the US port of entry, the immigration officer decides whether to admit you and for how long.
Costs and timelines
US B1/B2 Visitor visa fees and processing times
Depending on nationality, a reciprocity fee may also apply when the visa is issued. The fee is paid in rupees at the exchange rate the US mission sets, and it is not refunded if the visa is refused. Our professional fees come to you in writing after your review. Check the current visa fees before you pay.
Why KINBRIDGE
Why travellers choose KINBRIDGE for their US visa
A US visitor visa is usually decided at the interview, based on your application and how you explain your plans.
DS-160 Checked Line by Line
We review your answers before submission, because errors in the DS-160 can raise questions at the interview.
Interview Preparation
We help you explain your purpose, ties and funds clearly and truthfully, in your own words.
The Right Visa Category
We check whether your plans fit B-1, B-2 or another category, such as a student or work visa.
Parent Visits Supported
We help parents visiting children in the US explain their purpose, how the trip is funded and their own circumstances in India.
Honest Refusal Advice
If you were refused before, we tell you whether reapplying now makes sense and what needs to change.
Clear Fee Breakdown
Our fees come to you in writing, kept apart from US government and third-party costs.
FAQs
Your US Visitor visa questions, answered
What is the difference between B1 and B2 visas?
B-1 is for temporary business activities, such as meetings and conferences. B-2 is for tourism, family visits and medical treatment. Many applicants receive a combined B1/B2 visa.
How long can I stay in the USA on a B1/B2 visa?
Your visa's validity is not the same as your permitted stay. The immigration officer at the port of entry decides how long you may stay on each visit.
What should I do if my US tourist visa was denied?
The next step depends on the refusal reason. Review whether you need to demonstrate changed circumstances, provide requested information or await further processing. We review your case with you before you pay a new fee.