B-2 Tourist Visa
B-2 visas represent more than 75% of the visas issued by the U.S. The B-2 visa allows the temporary visitor to enter the United States for an initial stay of no more than six months.
Foreign nationals can apply for a B-2 visa for many purposes, including the following:
- Tourism;
- Visiting friends/relatives;
- Medical treatment;
- To participate in conventions, conferences, or convocations of fraternal or social organizations;
- Amateur participation in musicals, sports, or similar events.
A B-2 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.
Advantages of the B-2 Visa:
- No Sponsor Required: Any foreign person may file an application for a tourist visa without a United States sponsor;
- Ease of Application: The application is filed directly at the U.S. Embassy abroad and decisions are usually made quickly;
- Change of Status: Once in the United States, visitors can apply for a change of status to other non-immigrant classifications.
To obtain a B-2 visa, you must show that:
- You have strong ties to your home country and you do not intend to abandon it and immigrate to the U.S.;
- Your trip to the United States will be for a definite temporary period and that you will return upon the conclusion of your visit;
- You have sufficient funds to cover the expenses of the visit and return passage.
Other suggested documents:
- A travel itinerary;
- Employment confirmation;
- Asset documentation;
- Evidence confirming family members to be left behind;
- Ownership or lease documents for the alien's residence in the home country
- A letter from friends or relatives in the United States inviting the alien and detailing the length and purpose of the stay.
There is no specific list of documents which must be submitted to prove each of these points. In addition, applicants are usually required to go for an interview at the U.S. Embassy in their home country. No employment is authorized in the U.S. with a B-2 Visa.
Legal Assistance of White & Associates:
White & Associates has helped many clients successfully obtain tourist visas, providing particular assistance to applicants at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and in countries of the former Soviet Union. We assist first-time applicants and those who have been refused.
Please contact us for more information.