Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), tourism, pleasure or visiting (visa category B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2). Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa: Collapse All Business (B-1): consult with business associates attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference settle an estate negotiate a contract Learn more about Business Travel on a visitor visa. Tourism and Visit (B-2): tourism vacation (holiday) visit with friends or relatives medical treatment participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation) Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Visitor Visas: These are some examples of activities that require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a visitor visa: study employment paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft work as foreign press, radio, film, journalists, and other information media permanent residence in the United States

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), tourism, pleasure or visiting (visa category B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).

Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa:

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Business (B-1):

• consult with business associates
• attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
• settle an estate
• negotiate a contract

Learn more about Business Travel on a visitor visa.

Tourism and Visit (B-2):

• tourism
• vacation (holiday)
• visit with friends or relatives
• medical treatment
• participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
• enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Visitor Visas:

These are some examples of activities that require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a visitor visa:

• study
• employment
• paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
• arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• work as foreign press, radio, film, journalists, and other information media
• permanent residence in the United States

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. Please consult the instructions available on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will apply.

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. Please consult the instructions available on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will apply.

Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn moreabout completing the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview. Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in thePhotograph Requirements.

• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn moreabout completing the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in thePhotograph Requirements.

While interviews are generally not required for applicants of certain ages outlined below, consular officers have the discretion to require an interview of any applicant, regardless of age. If you are age:Then an interview is: 13 and youngerGenerally not required 14-79Required (some exceptions for renewals) 80 and olderGenerally not required You must schedule an appointment for your visa interview, generally, at theU.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be difficult to qualify for a visa outside of your place of permanent residence. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Review the interview wait time for the location where you will apply:

While interviews are generally not required for applicants of certain ages outlined below, consular officers have the discretion to require an interview of any applicant, regardless of age.

If you are age:	Then an interview is:
13 and younger	Generally not required
14-79	Required (some exceptions for renewals)
80 and older	Generally not required

You must schedule an appointment for your visa interview, generally, at theU.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be difficult to qualify for a visa outside of your place of permanent residence. 

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Review the interview wait time for the location where you will apply: