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The B-2 visa allows applicants to stay in the USA for private or tourist purposes. The B-2 visa is particularly suitable for persons who, due to their citizenship, are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (visa-free entry). This visa category is often issued as a combined B-1 / B-2 visa. One of the main advantages over visa-free entry is the longer duration of stay of up to 180 days.

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B-2 at a glance

Visa category: visitor visa

Target group: tourists, travelers who cannot use ESTA

Validity: generally 10 years

Length of stay: max. 180 days per entry, renewable only once for another max. 180 days

Characteristics: working, studying, immigrating etc. not allowed

What is the B-2 visa?

The B-2 visa is a US nonimmigrant visa for private individuals who wish to travel to the USA as visitors, vacationers or tourists for a limited period of time. The official name of the B-2 tourist visa is B-2 Temporary Visitor for Pleasure.

Tourist / private purposes primarily include

  • vacation stays,
  • visiting family and friends,
  • medical treatments or
  • participation in social, religious and sporting events.
Bild von einer USA-Touristin

B-2 visas are required in particular for

  • persons who cannot use the Visa Waiver Program (visa-free entry with ESTA)
    - persons of certain nationalities (e.g. Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey)
    - persons who have traveled to one of the following countries since March 1, 2011: Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen
    - persons who have traveled to Cuba since January 12, 2021
    - persons with a second citizenship of one of the following countries: Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria
    - persons wishing to enter the US on a private yacht or non-listed airline or shipping company
    - persons who have already been denied entry to the USA (at the border) or who have been deported from the United States
    - persons with a criminal record or who have been arrested or convicted (check individual case)
    - persons who have violated the entry regulations of the US authorities (overstay, etc.)
    - persons suffering from a serious, infectious disease
  • persons who wish to stay in the USA for more than 90 days at a time for tourism purposes
  • accompanying (unmarried) partners of holders of a work visa, for example
Note:

The B-2 visa does not include permission to take up employment, i.e. with a B visa you are not allowed to work in the USA. School or university visits and internships are also excluded.

B-2 Visa Requirements

In order to obtain a B-2 visa, several conditions must be met:

  • Temporary stay in the USA
    Applicants must demonstrate that they do not wish to reside permanently in the United States and do not intend to immigrate.
  • The purpose of the trip is of a private nature
    Travelers with a B-2 visa may visit the US for tourism purposes (e.g. vacation, medical treatment, social activities or leisure) and must make their travel plans and activities clear and understandable. Employment, school attendance or similar are not permitted.
  • Permanent residence outside the United States
    B-2 applicants must maintain their apartment or house outside the USA, i.e. their center of life remains at their previous place of residence.
  • Intention to return / strong ties to the home country
    B-2 applicants must prove that they have a firm intention to return and have sufficient ties to their home country, e.g. due to an existing employment relationship, a house or apartment and / or because of family and friends. This is to ensure that they will leave the United States at the end of their stay and return to their home country.
  • Sufficient financial resources
    B-2 applicants must prove that they have sufficient financial means to finance their entire stay in the United States without working illegally or claiming welfare benefits (e.g. on the basis of salary statements, bank statements, etc.).
Voraussetzungen für das B-2 Visum

How long can I stay in the USA with a B-2 visa?

With a B-2 visa, foreign nationals may officially stay in the United States for up to 180 days for multiple entries or consecutive days. The maximum length of stay in the USA does not apply per year but per entry.

Theoretically, you can therefore spend up to six months on vacation in the USA. However, the exact length of stay is determined individually by the US border officers each time you enter the country and can be viewed online in the electronic I-94 or can be seen on the entry stamp in your passport.

The maximum status, e.g. permitted length of stay, of 180 days can be extended in the USA by submitting a status extension application to the US immigration authority USCIS for a further maximum of 180 days (i.e. to a maximum of 365 days).

US travelers must leave the United States no later than the date of departure noted on the entry stamp or electronic I-94 in order to avoid the risk of an overstay.

Each time you travel to the United States, you will receive a new status at the border crossing. As long as the B-2 visa is valid, foreign nationals with the visa may request entry at the border.

How long is the B-2 visa valid?

As a rule, B-2 visas are issued for ten years. However, the tourist visa can also be limited to a shorter period. This depends in particular on the nationality of the visa applicant.

The expiration date can be found on the visa in the passport. The B-2 visa is valid until this date expires. After this date, the B-2 visa can be reapplied for through consular procedure if required.

By the way: Visas for the USA are valid from the day they are issued by the US consulate or the US embassy. This means that the validity begins on the date of issue, although it is not possible to issue the visa for a date in the future.

The period between the issue date and the expiration date is the validity period of the B-2 visa. The period of validity determines the period during which the travel document can be used.

Note:
It is not possible to say in general terms how often B-2 visa holders may enter the Unites States. However, longer stays and high entry frequencies under the B-2 visa can lead to difficulties at the border, especially if the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are not convinced of the strong ties to the home country.
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How much does a B-2 visa for the USA cost?

The visa fee for the B-2 visa is 175.75 € (185 $) per applicant. This general application fee of the US consulates or US embassies must be paid by all applicants and is neither refundable nor transferable to other persons.

The processing fee can be paid by online bank transfer, online payment by debit card or cash payment at a bank.

As a rule, this fee can be used to make an appointment within one year of the payment date.

Bild von einer USA Kreditkarte für Visa-Gebühren

Furthermore, additional costs may be incurred for certain B-2 applicants:

  • Costs for passport delivery
    (postal delivery of passports is subject to a fee, passport collection is free of charge)
  • Costs for a new passport photo
  • Costs for a new passport
  • Reciprocity fee
  • Service fees for our US Visa Service
  • Renewed payment of visa fees if appointments are postponed too often

You can find more information about the different visa fees, other possible costs and the current payment methods on our fees page.

Go to the cost overview

Applying for a B-2 visa

What do I need to consider when applying?

Please note that applying for a B-2 visa requires a thorough understanding of the process and careful planning of the necessary steps. From choosing the right visa type according to the purpose of the trip, the correct completion of the application forms and the preparation for the visa interview, there are many important aspects to consider.

In the following section, the individual steps for the B-2 visa application are explained and a guide to a successful visa application is provided.

B-2 applicants between 14 and 79 years of age must generally go through the consular procedure. This means that for the B-2 visa, the online form DS-160 is generally filled out and the visa is applied for as part of a personal interview in a responsible US representation (US consulate or US embassy) in the home country.

How long does it take to apply for a B-2 visa?

In our experience, the application for a B-2 visa, from the preparation to the review by the US authorities to the receipt of the visa, takes in most cases six to eight weeks.

However, the B-2 application time depends very much on the waiting time until the interview appointment, the personal interview at the US consulate / US embassy. The availability of visa interview appointments for the B category depends, among other things, on the season and thus the number of applications to be processed at the respective US consulates / US embassies. You should therefore start the B-2 application process as early as possible, especially during peak travel periods.

After a thorough examination of your B-2 visa application and, in the best case, approval, your passport will be retained for visa issuance. Approximately one week after the visa interview, your passport and B-2 visa will be sent to you by post.

Attention: In some cases, a further security check (Administrative Processing), which can take several months. This can considerably delay the visa application.

How to apply for a B-2 visa

To apply for a B-2 visa for the USA, applicants must follow the steps below:

The first step in applying for a B-2 visa for the USA is to fill out the electronic visa application form DS-160 on the Website of the U.S. Department of State.

The online application form must contain detailed information about the applicant and the planned stay in the USA. You should have the following documents ready when completing the online DS-160 form:

  • valid passport
  • personal information (e.g. marital status, address)
  • data from the last five entries into the USA
  • CV (curriculum vitae), so that the current and previous employers can be indicated
  • information on school career and travel behavior
  • security issues
  • digital, biometric passport photo (in 5 x 5 cm format)

A few days after submitting your DS-160 form, you can check the status of your visa application online.

Did you know? The professional processing and return of your DS-160 is part of our service.

Create a visa profile on the website of the Visa Information Service through which B-2 visa applications are processed.

Here you can also pay the visa processing fee and make an appointment for the visa interview.

  1. Pay the application fee:
    Pay the B-2 visa fee in the amount of 175,75 € (185 $). Payment can be made online or in cash.
  2. Make an appointment for the visa interview:
    Make an appointment now for the visa interview. This can be done online via the visa profile or by telephone.

When you commission our US Visa Service, we create the required online profile, advance the consular visa application fee and arrange the appointment for the personal interview with the US consular officers.

Show up on day of the interview personally at the US consulate or US embassy. Your documents will be checked there and you will be interviewed by the consular officers.

The following documents must be prepared and brought along for the appointment at the US consulate or US embassy:

  • appointment confirmation
  • barcode sheet of the online submitted form DS-160 incl. proof of payment of the consular application fee
  • cover letter for the purpose of entry
  • if applicable, further documents such as: financial documents, copy of employment contract, copy of rental contract, CV, etc.

Be prepared to answer questions about your visa application, your planned stay in the US and other relevant topics.

Generally, B-2 visa applicants are informed at the end of their visit to the US consulate or US embassy whether or not their visa application will be approved.

Our visa consultants will prepare you perfectly for this important appointment and provide you with the necessary documents to ensure that your visa interview runs as smoothly as possible.

If your B-2 visa application is approved, you will receive your passport with the B-2 visa returned by post or can arrange a pick-up appointment.

Versand per Post

Apply for a B-2 visa by post

Under certain conditions, applicants can also apply for the B-2 visa by mail through the so-called Interview Waiver Program, i.e. without having to attend an interview at the US consulate / US embassy.

Of course, there are certain criteria for waiving the personal visa appointment and submitting your documents by post. The interview waiver requires, among other things, that a B-2 visa has already been issued and that certain other conditions are met.

Please note that using the mail-in procedure does not mean that the B-2 visa will automatically be approved. In addition, B-2 visa applicants may be invited for an interview if the US authorities deem it necessary, despite having applied by mail.

When and how do I find out if my B-2 visa has been approved?

The foreign missions of the United States of America, i.e. the US consulates or US embassies, are responsible for issuing visas.

The decision on whether or not to issue a visa for the USA is usually made by the US consular officials on the day of the visa interview. B-2 visa applicants will therefore normally find out at the interview appointment whether the visa will be issued or not.

The most common reasons for a visa refusal:

  • B-2 Visa application was not prepared correctly or incompletely
  • Incorrect information in the B-2 visa application
  • Insufficient evidence / documents
  • Visa category applied for does not match the purpose of entry
  • Applicant does not fulfill the necessary requirements for the B-2 visa category

You can check the status of your US visa application online.

1. B-2 visa approved

Your B-2 visa was granted verbally by the US officers and is now being processed.

After the B-2 visa has been printed / issued in the passport, the passport with the corresponding US visa will be sent by mail.

2. Additional review

In some cases, US consular officers determine not to approve the B-2 visa immediately and issue a visa denial under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The consequence of this is the so-called Administrative Processing. The US visa application therefore requires a further security check and is subject to additional processing steps. Additional documents or information may be required from you.

3. B-2 visa refused

If the US officers conclude that you do not qualify for the B-2 category, your B-2 visa will be denied. The denial does not have to be justified, but applicants who are rejected a visa are usually given further instructions on the day of the interview appointment or sent a denial letter after a certain processing time.

The reasons for visa refusal vary greatly depending on the visa category and applicant (e.g. assumption of an intention to immigrate, suspicion of illegal employment, incorrect application documentation).

What to do if the B-2 visa is refused

First of all, it is generally possible to submit a new B-2 application at any time after a visa refusal. Theoretically, there is no waiting period for applicants until the next submission.

Based on our experience, it is only advisable to reapply for the same category if the conditions or circumstances have changed since the first visa application and you are able to provide evidence of these changes or new circumstances.

It makes little sense to apply for a new visa if you still do not meet the requirements of the respective visa category (e.g. proof of intention to return to your home country, financial means, proof of specialized professional knowledge, etc.). In practice, a new B-2 visa can therefore usually only be (successfully) applied for after several months or even years.

After a visa refusal, applicants must start the visa application process all over again. Incidentally, no appeal can be lodged against a visa refusal.

Consequences of a visa refusal

The consequences of the B-2 visa refusal for the applicant depend on the reason for refusal.

  1. ESTA ban
    A B-2 visa refusal usually means that visa-free entry with ESTA can no longer be used. This is because in the ESTA application you are asked whether a visa application has been rejected or not. If you answer "yes" to this question, your ESTA application will normally be rejected.
  2. Planned stay in the USA not possible
    If the B-2 visa is denied, the applicant will not be able to travel to the US for the intended purpose (e.g., vacation, family / friend visit, medical treatment, social activities).
  3. Entry ban
    In some cases, the US authorities even issue an entry ban for the USA.

The most common reasons for a B-2 visa refusal

  • Visa requirements are not met
    It often happens that applicants do not meet the necessary requirements for the visa category applied for (e.g. lack of ties to the home country, insufficient financial means).
  • Errors in the visa application / lack of application documentation
    Quite often, application documents are incomplete, information in the DS-160 visa application form is incorrect or the B-2 visa application was not prepared correctly. Discrepancies may also arise during the visa interview if the visa category applied for does not correspond to the purpose of entry (assumption of an immigration intention, presumption of illegal employment).
  • Other reasons
    Personal circumstances of the visa applicant are also among the most common reasons for rejection (criminal record, terrorist background, infectious diseases, immigration offenses such as illegal stay in the USA or illegal work in the USA, conspicuous behavior during previous entries).
Tip:

Although the US authorities are not obliged to explain the reasons for a refusal, you can politely ask for the reason for vis denial at the interview appointment at the US consulate or embassy. This information will help you if you wish to reapply for the B-2 visa.

For the second attempt of your B-2 visa application, it is advisable to prepare it carefully and coherently. This includes choosing the right category, filling out the DS-160 online form completely and correctly and collecting relevant evidence.

We advise you comprehensively on your visa options for the USA Get in touch with our experts now!

Does a B-2 visa guarantee admission to the USA?

Many applicants assume that they are guaranteed entry to the USA with an approved US visa. However, a B-2 visa in your passport does not automatically guarantee entry to the United States. Legally speaking, a visa for the USA is not a residence permit, so even with an approved US visa in your passport, there is no guarantee of entry to the United States. A valid US visa allows you to apply for entry into the United States at the border crossing (e.g. airport).

The decision on entry is generally the responsibility of the border officers who check the B-2 visa when foreign nationals arrive in the Unites States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have the final say and decide whether and for how long you may enter the country, i.e. for how long you will be granted residence status. This also means that you may be denied entry under certain circumstances.

If you have received an entry permit, it is recommended to check online in the I-94 or on the entry stamp in your passport to see how long you are legally allowed to stay in the US.

Bild von einem US-Grenzbeamten am Flughafen

By the way: With Global Entry, certain biometrically registered and security-checked travelers can complete entry formalities independently and automatically at almost all major US airports. In this way, foreign nationals can avoid long waiting times and enter the USA more quickly.

Further information on Global Entry

B-2 visa extension

The period of validity of a visa cannot be extended, regardless of the visa category. In technical terms, this is considered as a new application. However, it is possible to apply for a new B-2 visa in good time before or after the expiry of a B-2 visa. The B-2 visa can be reapplied for as often as required.

It is important to know that the remaining period of validity of your old B-2 visa is not automatically transferred to the new visa. In addition, please note that a previous visa issuance does not guarantee a new visa approval. All application documents (application forms, supporting documents, etc.) must be resubmitted to the US consulate / US embassy.

It is therefore advisable to prepare the B-2 application well and ensure that all required documents are complete. This minimizes potential delays or rejections during the renewal process or reapplication.

When reapplying for your B-2 visa, you should also note that processing times can vary greatly depending on the responsible US consulate or US embassy. You should therefore allow sufficient time in advance.

In contrast to the initial application, you may be eligible for a simplified procedure. You could possibly qualify for an extension by mail and thus avoid the interview appointment. You can find all information on this in the Interview Waiver Program.

US visas for B-2 family members

Spouses, partners and child(ren) of B-2 holders may travel to the USA and require a separate B-2 visa. If you wish to accompany a B-2 visa holder, you can apply for a B-2 visa.

There is no derived tourist visa for family members.

Please note that the B-2 visa only allows you to accompany your spouse, partner or parent. Taking up employment or attending school or university is not permitted.

Bild von begleitenden Familienangehörigen in den USA
B visa vs. ESTA

For international travelers wishing to travel to the United States, both the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) as well as the B visa are important entry options. Both allow you to stay in the USA for identical purposes, but also have significant differences.

The choice between the two options depends on the individual travel destinations, the planned length of stay and other specific requirements. Before traveling to the USA, it is advisable to inform yourself thoroughly about the respective requirements and restrictions in order to ensure a smooth and legally correct trip.

Simmilarities:

  • Purpose of stay: Both ESTA and B-1 / B-2 visas allow foreign nationals to travel to the USA and stay there temporarily for tourism or limited business activities. This includes vacations, visits to relatives, participation in trade fairs / conferences and business negotiations.
  • No work permit: Foreign nationals are not permitted to work in the USA or be paid from the USA with either ESTA or a B visa. Only limited business activities such as business meetings, customer or trade fair visits are permitted. Business activities also extend to after sales services, assembly work and training of US personnel (B-1 After Sales), project assignments (B-1 in lieu of H-1B) and in-house training (B-1 in lieu of H-3). Theoretically, these activities are possible with both the B visa and ESTA, but in practice it is often advisable to apply for a B visa.
  • Time limit: Both ESTA authorizations and B visas have time limits for stays in the US. With ESTA you can generally stay in the US for up to 90 days per visit, while B visas can allow a longer stay of up to 180 days per entry into the USA, depending on the type.

Differences:

  • Application procedure: The ESTA application is online-based and only requires the completion of an electronic application form including the answering of security questions. Ideally, you should apply for ESTA as soon as you plan your trip to the USA, but no later than 72 hours before departure. B visas, on the other hand, require a more complex application process including the completion of a comprehensive online application form (DS-160). In addition, B applicants between 14 and 79 years of age must usually appear in person at a US embassy or US consulate.
  • Flexibility: ESTA is quick to obtain and is more suitable for short-term trips to the USA, while B visas are more complicated to apply for and can enable longer stays in the USA.
  • Authorization countries: ESTA is only valid for citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (including Germany, Austria and Switzerland). B visas, on the other hand, are available to citizens of all countries and can be applied for worldwide.
  • B visa types: B visas comprise different categories, including B-1 (for business travel) and B-2 (for tourist / private purposes). These categories can be applied for separately or in combination, depending on the individual travel destinations.

Frequently asked questions about the B-2 visa

Certain nationalities shorten the period of validity of the B-2 visa. For example, the B-2 visa is usually issued for ten years for German applicants.

If you have Somali or Sudanese citizenship in addition to German citizenship, it is advisable to apply for the B-2 visa using your German passport.

For government representatives and their relatives who hold a second Iranian, North Korean, Syrian, Venezuelan or Yemeni citizenship in addition to German citizenship, the B-2 visa must be applied for with the German passport.

With a B-2 visa, you may stay in the USA for up to 180 days at a time or several times in succession. As long as your B-2 visa is valid, you can enter the country as often as you like for a maximum of 180 days.

Frequent departures and re-entries, e.g. via Canada, Mexico or neighboring islands, with the intention of re-obtaining residence status are not recommended.

B-2 visa holders traveling temporarily to Canada, Mexico, or the neighboring islands may return to the United States from there if the total stay in the United States and the time spent in the contiguous territory and / or the neighboring islands does not exceed 180 days or the permitted duration of stay.

In other words, a trip to Canada, Mexico or the neighboring islands does not reset the length of stay in the US granted on first entry.

There is no special US visa category for retired persons. Those who are retired and wish to stay in the United States temporarily can usually apply for a visitor visa.
Senior citizens can stay in the USA for up to six months on a B-2 visa or B-1 / B-2 visa and must then return to their home country.

If you are a retiree and only want to stay in the United States for up to three months and are a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you can alternatively apply for visa-free entry with ESTA. Compared to the B-2 visa, the application process is less time-consuming and less expensive.

A permanent right of residence in the United States is only possible with an immigrant visa (Green Card).

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