Any foreigner wishing to travel to the United States must obtain a visa for the particular purpose of the visit. If you’re visiting the US for tourism, leisure, or medical purposes, the B2 visa is the one you need. Understanding the B2 visa process in 2025 will make things easier if you’re a first-time applicant unfamiliar or if you’re worried about the application.
At Remitly, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to visit a new country or move abroad, and a big part of this is understanding visa requirements and procedures. That’s why we’ve put together this 2025 B2 visa guide to simplify and demystify the process of obtaining a US tourist visa. Below we’ll outline requirements, step-by-step instructions, and practical tips, providing you with the confidence and clarity you need to make your application.
What is a B2 visa?
A B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows you to temporarily visit the US for tourism, leisure, or medical reasons. It’s also known as the tourist visa.
With this visa, you can:
- Go on a vacation anywhere in the US
- Enroll in a short course while on vacation, e.g., a one-day archery class
- Enter the US as a tourist. This may involve activities such as visiting historical monuments or national parks like the Grand Canyon
- Visit your loved ones such as relatives and friends
- Participate in social events and contests provided you’re not paid for it
- Receive medical treatment
Under US law, anyone born in the US becomes an American citizen based on the principle of jus soli (citizenship by birth). Although the B2 visa allows you to visit the US on medical grounds, you’re not allowed to travel to the US solely to give birth and obtain American citizenship for the child. This is according to the updated 2020 temporary visa regulations.
Eligibility requirements for B2 visa in 2025
Generally, you will qualify for a B2 visa if you seek to enter the US for medical care, tourism, or leisure.
But, these aren’t the only B2 visa requirements in 2025.
- You must have a passport with a validity period ending at least six months after your stay in the US
- You must demonstrate that your visit to the US is temporary. For example, you could include evidence of return flight tickets.
- Like most visa requirements, you’ll need to show proof of financial capability to support yourself in the US, in local currency. A bank statement may suffice.
- Evidence of strong ties and a residence outside the US is required to show that you’ll return home. This may include a job, family, and/or property.
- The embassy may ask for this evidence to demonstrate that you have no immigration intent, which just means that you’re not trying to use the visa to enter the US for a permanent stay
How to apply for a B2 visa
Visa applications can be one of the most stressful parts of planning a trip. But knowing what the different stages are can help you manage the stress and make sure you’re fully prepared for a successful application.
All B2 visa applicants follow these steps:
Step 1: Fill out form DS-160. This is the nonimmigrant visa application form, accessible online with the US Department of State, Consular Electronic Application Center. You’ll need about 90 minutes to complete the application, so consider finding time and a quiet place to focus.
Step 2: Pay the non-refundable visa application fee. You can check the local US consulate or embassy site for current rates, but expect to pay an average of $185 USD.
Step 3: Schedule a visa interview at the embassy or consulate. Visa officers can interview all applicants. However, applicants aged 13 and below, and 80 year-olds and older are usually exempt. Anyone aged between 14 and 79 years must be interviewed.
Step 4: Attend the interview at the consulate or embassy. You must bring documents like a valid passport, the DS-160 confirmation page (since the application is online), visa fee payment receipt, a photo if you didn’t upload one online (the photo must follow US visa photo requirements), proof of financial ability to take care of yourself, and evidence of ties to your home country to guarantee that you’ll return.
During the interview, you’ll be asked some questions to assess your intention to travel to the US, your financial status, and ties in your home country.
A few common questions are:
- Why do you want to visit the US?
- Have you been to the US before?
- How long will you stay?
- Where will you stay?
- Which cities do you plan to visit?
- Do you have any friends or relatives in the US? How about in your home country?
- What’s special about this particular time for travel?
- Have you booked your return ticket?
- What do you do for a living?
- Who’s paying for this trip?
- Can you sustain yourself in the US?
- Are you married? Do you have children?
- Do you plan to work in the US? (This is most likely a trick question to assess your honesty. B2 Visas don’t allow foreigners to work in the US. So an affirmative answer may lead to visa denial).
Sadly, it’s impossible to know in advance all the questions the immigration officers are going to ask you during the interview. To increase your chances of success, it’s a good idea to understand the purpose of the visa and any restricted activities, be truthful, answer questions confidently, provide all documents required of you, and keep your answers short and clear.
Step 5: Track the status of your application online so you can stay up to date on the embassy’s decision to approve or reject your visa application.
Common challenges in the B2 visa process and how to overcome them
The B2 visa process seems straightforward. However, applicants can face challenges that sometimes cause visa denial or delay. 2024 statistics from the US Department of State show that the B visas have very high refusal rates (this includes B1 visas which are primarily for business travelers).
This table summarizes some common challenges as well as some tips to maximize your chances of success.
| Challenge | Possible solutions |
| Missing or incorrect supporting documents | Confirm you have the required documents such as the DS-160 form, before your interview. Remember to bring them with you on the day of the interview. |
| Someone else is paying for your trip | Sponsorship may portray you as financially incapable of supporting yourself in the US. If you’re being sponsored, present a sponsorship letter and a strong reason why you’re being sponsored.
Additionally, you’ll need to be able to prove that your stay will be short. |
| Poor interview performance | This is mostly caused by anxiety, nervousness, or inconsistent answers.
Try to relax and be honest. Consider doing a mock interview with a trusted friend before your appointment date to prepare yourself. |
| Previous visa denials and overstays in other countries | An immigration officer might see this as a red flag. Be clear and truthful about your past issues and provide convincing evidence showing improvement and correction of highlighted past immigration issues. |
| Vague travel plans | Provide a clear travel plan and itinerary. For a strong case, consider including travel dates, locations you’ll visit, accommodation bookings, and return tickets. |
| Weak financial stability | Provide recent bank statements. Payslips and tax returns may also help support your case. |
| Weak ties to your home country | This may be interpreted as an indicator that you’ll not return home. Consider providing documentation like a title deed to your home, rental contract, employment letter, and family information. |
Conclusion
Applying for a visa can be a nerve-wracking experience. But knowing what it involves is the first step in making a successful application.
It’s a good idea to have a clear plan in place ahead of making your application, such as how long you plan to stay and what you will be doing while in the US. This way you can provide strong evidence that you don’t intend to overstay your visa.
Remember, you’re eligible for a B2 visa if you’re traveling for tourism, leisure or to receive medical care. You can’t use this visa to work in the US.
Frequently asked questions about the B2 visa
How long does the B2 visa application process take?
B2 visa processing time takes up to three weeks for low-demand countries and up to three months for high-demand countries. You can check with your local embassy or consulate for a more detailed timeline.
How long is the B2 Visa valid for?
The B2 visa validity depends on your country of origin and the visa reciprocity agreement between the US and your country.
The general range is three months to ten years, allowing single or multiple entries. The length of stay per visit is usually six months.
Can I extend my B2 Visa while in the US?
You can extend your B2 visa stay while in the US, but you must adhere to the set conditions and procedures. For example, you must apply before your authorized stay expires, you must have not violated the terms of your visa, and you must show proof that you can continue to financially support yourself.
What are the fees involved?
It costs about $185 USD to apply for the B2 visa.