One of the easiest visas to obtain to travel to the U.S. is the visitor visa or the B visas. The B visas are also referred to as the visitor visa. it allows you as a non-immigrant to come to the U.S. temporarily to either work or study. If you are also coming to the U.S. for a business or special assignment, the right type of visa to go for is the B-1, for medical issues and treatment you will have to obtain the (B-2). Other people who need a temporary or visitor visa are footballers, parents and grandparents, and so on.
Some candidates may be exempted from compulsorily needing a temporary visa. To be eligible for a visa waiver, your country has to be among the selected countries from the list below
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan*
- United Kingdom
If you are a citizen or permanent resident of any of the above countries, then you are eligible to visit the U.S. without having to apply for a visa or obtain advance authorization. However, applicants cannot stay in the U.S. beyond 90 days except for special cases or emergencies. In such a situation, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service announced that would start allowing Extensions for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to those whose departure was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and other health issues. The Visa waiver candidates will not be allowed to change their status while still in the U.S.
Who is Eligible for the B-1 or B-2 Visa?
Although it is much easier to obtain a visitor visa than any other visa in the U.S., you will most likely be rejected if you fail to meet the requirements. The first criterion is that you have a clear and genuine reason why you wish to visit the U.S. and then ensure you are admissible to enter the country. This means that you have to prove that you have not been convicted for any serious crimes and you are not a threat to the lives and properties of U.S. citizens. To that effect, applicants for the B-1 or B-2 visitor visa will have to meet the following requirements:
You have to state clearly the reason for your trip to the U.S.; it could be for pleasure, business, or medical treatment.
Convince the immigration officer you are just going to stay for a temporary period.
Show that you have ties outside the U.S. this could be having a family member in your home country or a business that ensures you will return at the expiration of your visit.
How to Apply for the B-1 or B-2 Visa
The process to apply for this visa is straightforward. You can follow this step-by-step guide to make things easy.
- Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
- Visa application fee.
- Visa issuance fee.
- USCIS Form I-134, Affidavit of Support (This document is required if you are depending on someone in the U.S. for financial support)
- Your passport, Which should be valid for a minimum of six months.
- One passport-style photo.
- You have to present documents that show the purpose of your trip, for example, itinerary, hotel arrangements, and train tickets.
- A document that shows your plan to return to your home country. This proof may include proof of ownership of a property or real estate, a letter from your employer that you have not quit your job and that it remains open for you if you return, and a relationship with close family members who you are leaving back at home.
- Proof of funds to show you will be able to cover your bills during your time in the country.
Then if you are coming for a business trip, you will need a letter from a foreign employer that will explain explicitly your position and what you will be doing for the company during your visit to the country.
For those coming for medical treatments or checkups, you need to provide a statement from your doctor or facility where you are receiving treatment in the U.S. which should state clearly how long you will be staying.
