Types of Non-Immigrant Visas

Tourist / Business Visas

The B1/B2 "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). If you plan to travel for business—for example, in order to consult with business associates, travel for a professional or educational convention, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract—then you should apply for a visitor visa. You should also apply for a visitor visa if your travel is recreational or personal, including tourism, amusement, visits with friends or relatives, rest, or medical treatment.

In order to apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa, you should follow the steps described in our How to Apply section. There are no special documents or forms required for B1/B2 visa applicants, unless you are traveling for medical treatment, in which case you should refer to our section on Medical Visas.

Persons planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose such as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc., are not eligible for a B1/B2 visitor visa. They must apply for a different, more specific non-immigrant visa.