Tourism in USA
United States is a large industry that serves millions of international and domestic tourists yearly. Foreigners visit the U.S. to see natural wonders, cities, historic landmarks, and entertainment venues. Americans seek similar attractions, as well as recreation and vacation areas. Tourists spend more money in the United States than any other country & It’s rapidly growing in the form of urban tourismUnder normal conditions:If you are planning a brief visit to the U.S. for business or Tourism, you might need to apply for a Visitor or a transit visa. These are the steps you should take:1. Choose Visa Category
- Non-immigrant and Immigrant
If you are applying First Time to travel U.S. then you will need a nonimmigrant visa to visit the U.S.
2. Determine which visa you might need for your visit.
Most business and tourism travellers use B-1 and B-2 visitor visas.
- B-1 visa classification is for business travelers to consult with business associates, attend a conference, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract.
- B-2 visa classification is for tourists on vacation and people coming for medical treatment, a social event, or participation in amateur contests for no pay.
The process of applying for a visa will vary depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. Follow the specific instructions for the country that you’re in.
In general, you will need:
- To complete online form DS-160, the nonimmigrant visa application form
- A photo
- A visa application fee
- To schedule an interview
Apply Online
To Apply Online for a Business or Tourism Visitor Visa to the U.S.
Please note: In response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State is temporarily suspending routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates. Learn more about the suspension of routine visa services.
Be sure to review the Visa Waiver Program. If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need to apply for a visa if you are traveling for business or pleasure and will only be staying in the United States for 90 days or less.
Process
- Complete your Application
Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form. Be sure to read the Guidelines for Completing the DS-160 Form carefully. All information must be correct and accurate. Once the form is submitted, you cannot make any changes. If you need assistance, please consult an immigration lawyer or translator. The call center cannot help you complete your DS-160. You will need your DS-160 number to book your appointment.
Note: If denied a visa previously please complete a new Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.
- Pay your Visa Fees
Once you have determined the correct visa type and completed the DS-160, you must pay the visa fee. The visa fee page lists the visa types and correlating visa fee in US dollars and local currency.
To pay your visa fee, read the bank and payment options page. This page explains how to make your visa fee payment. You will create a profile and must keep your receipt number to book your visa appointment.
- Schedule your Appointment
You are almost ready to schedule your visa appointment! Now you will need to login to your profile with the same credentials you used to pay your visa fee. Once you are in the system, you will see your dashboard.
Click on the Schedule Appointment button. This will start the process for scheduling your appointment.
- You must schedule two appointments, one for the Visa Application Center (VAC) and one for the visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate.
- First, schedule your appointment at an Visa Application Center. This appointment will allow you to go to one of the five Visa Application Center locations to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This appointment must be at least 1 day before your visa interview appointment at the Embassy or Consulate.
- Second, schedule your visa interview appointment at the Embassy or Consulate.
- Same day appointments can be scheduled for certain visa classes. The VAC appointment time must be prior to the consular appointment time.
- Same day appointments are available for L1 Blanket visas in Chennai and as emergency appointments at all other posts.
You will need three pieces of information in order to schedule your appointment:
- Your passport number
- The visa application fee receipt number.
- The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page
As you go through the process you will be able to select your visa type, enter personal data, add dependents, select your document delivery location, confirm visa payment, and schedule your appointment.
- Attend your Interview
For your Visa Application Centre appointment, you will need to bring:
- A passport valid for travel to the United States with validity dates at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
- Your DS-160 confirmation page.
- Your appointment confirmation page.
- One photograph as per U.S. visa specifications if the applicant is under 14 years of age. See photos and fingerprints for more details.
Track your Application
If you are a nonimmigrant applicant, you may check your DS-160 and visa application status online by entering your interview location and your DS-160 barcode number in the page linked below.