Planning to explore the vibrant cities, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking natural wonders of the United States? If you’re a foreign national, you’ll likely need a B-2 Tourist Visa to make that dream a reality. This article outlines the Tourist Visa USA Requirements, documents, and steps you need to obtain a U.S. tourist visa in 2025.
Tourist Visa USA Requirements
Many people dream of traveling to the United States. From the tall skyscrapers of New York City to the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon, or the red carpet of Hollywood – each place is an experience in itself. However, to visit all these places, a valid tourist visa is required, known as the B-2 tourist visa.
The B-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa, meaning it is issued only for the purpose of traveling to the United States for a specific period of time. If someone wants to travel only for sightseeing, visit relatives, go for medical treatment, or participate in a cultural or social event under this visa, then it is possible through this visa. But getting a visa is not as easy as it seems. This process requires a planned preparation.
Tourist Visa USA Application
The applicant must prove that his purpose of traveling to the United States is only temporary and that he will return to his home country after a certain period of time. Therefore, the applicant must present the permanent address, family or social responsibilities, employment, business, or any other economic or social ties in his home country with importance.
In the first step, the applicant must fill out the DS-160 form online. In this form, passport information, personal and family information, educational qualifications, professional details, purpose of travel, and detailed plan information are provided. After submitting the form, the confirmation page received must be taken with him during the interview.
Then, the applicant must create an account on the US Embassy website and pay the visa fee. Currently, this fee is 185 US dollars, which is equivalent to about 21,000 taka in Bangladeshi currency. After submitting the fee, the applicant can make an appointment for an interview.
The interview day is the most important part of the entire process. On this day, the applicant appears at the embassy and meets with a consular officer. He/She has to submit all the documents of the applicant and answer some oral questions. For example – why do you want to go to the United States, what is your financial situation, what do you do, how can you be sure that you will return, etc. The answers to these questions should be short, truthful and confident.
The documents that are important to carry during the interview are – valid passport, confirmation page of the DS-160 form, appointment letter for the interview, passport-size photo, bank statements, proof of employment, business documents, tax returns, residence documents, and if someone is sponsoring, his/her invitation letter and financial proof.
If an applicant wishes to travel with family members, each member must submit a separate application and attend a separate interview. However, special consideration may be given to children.
Application for Tourist Visa USA
After obtaining a visa, multiple entry permits are usually granted for a period of 5 to 10 years. However, the length of time you can stay in the United States is determined by the country’s immigration officer, who checks your passport at the airport. Usually, you are allowed to stay for up to 6 months, but this can be more or less.
It is important to be clear here that getting a visa does not mean that you can enter the United States. The final approval of entry depends on the immigration officer. If he thinks there is any doubt about your entry, he can also turn you away.
Many people think that you can get a visa only if you have a lot of documents or a large bank balance. In fact, more important than documents is credibility and a reasonable explanation. The consular officer watches your eye language, speech pattern, confidence – everything. So, without exaggerating, it is better to present accurate and transparent information.
Many applicants try to submit false documents – for example, fake employment papers, false bank statements, etc. This is a serious crime and can ruin your chances of traveling to not only the United States but many other countries in the future.
If your application is rejected, there is no reason to reapply immediately. However, you will need to demonstrate that your circumstances have changed in order for you to be considered eligible. Otherwise, repeated applications may not result in a change in your status.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the tourist visa application process and Tourist Visa USA Requirements is as formal as it is human. An officer tries to understand whether you are really going to visit or have some other purpose. If you really want to enjoy the beauty of the United States, apply with proper preparation, and are honest, your chances are quite good.
Tourism is not just about sightseeing, it is an opportunity to experience another culture. And traveling to a country as diverse as the United States will allow you to experience it even better – if you have that much-desired visa in your hand.