Nonimmigrant B-2 — TouristVerified 2026-04-19USA Tourist Visa (B-2 — Tourism / Visit Family)
The B-2 Tourist visa lets Indian passport holders visit the US for tourism, sightseeing, visiting relatives/friends, medical treatment, or amateur events. Apply via DS-160, pay $185, and attend a Consulate interview in New Delhi / Mumbai / Chennai / Kolkata / Hyderabad. If approved, you typically get a 10-year multiple-entry stamp — each visit up to 6 months as decided by CBP at port of entry.
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Processing
Interview wait times vary significantly by city and season — check current wait times at travel
Stay Duration
Up to 6 months per entry, decided at US border by CBP
Starting Fee
$185
Apply At
6 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL United States visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Complete DS-160 online and print the confirmation page with barcode BEFORE booking appointments. One DS-160 per person, including children.
- 2Pay MRV fee online via usvisascheduling.com. Keep the receipt number — required to schedule appointments.
- 3Book TWO appointments: (1) Visa Application Centre (VAC) for biometrics; (2) Consulate for interview. VAC must be at least 2 business days before Consulate interview.
- 4Passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond your intended US stay (unless reciprocal agreement — India has none, so 6-month rule applies).
- 5Social media declaration is MANDATORY on DS-160 for all handles used in the last 5 years. Expanded vetting applies to A-3, C-3 (domestic worker), G-5, H-1B, H-3, H-4 dependents, F, M, J, K, Q, R, S, T, U categories — set social media accounts to 'public' for these.
- 6Presidential Proclamation 10998 (effective 1 Jan 2026) suspends/limits visa issuance to nationals of 39 specified countries — Indian applicants are NOT on this list but check the current travel.state.gov notice.
- 7US visas are stamped (physical sticker) in the passport — unlike UK/Australia digital visas.
- 8Applicants with medical devices must bring a hard-copy letter from a medical professional certifying the need — otherwise entry to the Consular Section may be refused.
- 9Dress smart/professional for the interview. Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring ONLY necessary documents — no bags, no laptops, no bottled water.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens travelling to the US for tourism, holiday, or sightseeing
- Indian citizens visiting family/friends already in the US
- Patients travelling for US medical treatment (B-2 covers this)
- Attendees of social events, amateur performances, non-credit short courses
- Applicants with strong ties to India (employment, family, property) demonstrating intent to return
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone intending to work in the US (need H/L/O/P/Q)
- Anyone intending to study for credit / enrol in degree course (need F-1)
- Anyone intending to immigrate or settle permanently (need immigrant visa / Green Card)
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused United States cases — and win them.
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| B-1/B-2 Business/Tourist visa | $185 |
| F-1 / M-1 Student visa | $185 |
| J-1 Exchange Visitor | $185 |
| H/L/O/P/Q Work visas | $205 |
| R-1 Religious Worker visa | $205 |
| C/D Transit/Crewmember visa | $185 |
| I Journalist/Media | $185 |
| K-1 Fiancé(e) | $265 |
| E Treaty Trader/Investor | $315 |
All US nonimmigrant visa (MRV) fees are set in USD by the Department of State and paid online in India via usvisascheduling.com. The INR amount depends on exchange rate on payment day. Additional costs: SEVIS fee for F/M/J visas (paid to ICE separately), VFS document delivery charges, photograph, and any USCIS petition fees (for work visas — usually paid by employer). MRV fees are non-refundable regardless of interview outcome.
Documents Required
Mandatory at Interview
- !Valid passport
Valid at least 6 months beyond intended US stay.
- !DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
Printed from ceac.state.gov/genniv after online submission.
- !Interview appointment confirmation
From usvisascheduling.com.
- !MRV fee payment receipt ($185)
- !One photograph (US specifications)
Only required if under 14; DS-160 photo upload sufficient otherwise. 5×5 cm, white background, 80% face coverage.
Strong Ties to India (the #1 factor in approval)
- !Employment letter + recent salary slips
Confirms role, tenure, approved leave, salary. Shows job waiting for you in India.
- !Income Tax Returns (last 3 years)
- ○Property documents / business ownership proof
Title deeds, GST certificate, business registration — demonstrates roots in India.
- ○Family ties documentation
Marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, parents' dependency.
Financial Capacity
- !Bank statements (last 6 months)
Should show balance covering US trip cost ($200+/day × days) plus buffer.
- ○Fixed deposits / investment proof
Strengthens financial profile.
- ○Sponsor's affidavit of support + their bank statements (if sponsored)
If US-based family/friend sponsoring, their financial details help.
Trip Details
- ○Travel itinerary (tentative OK)
US cities, dates, hotels. Flight bookings NOT required until approved — don't purchase tickets.
- ○Invitation letter from US host (if visiting family/friends)
Simple letter with their US address, relationship, invitation dates.
- ○US host's status proof (copy of US visa / Green Card / citizenship)
For Medical Treatment (B-2 covers this)
- ○Indian doctor's letter (condition + need for US treatment)
- ○US doctor/hospital letter (treatment plan + estimated cost)
- ○Financial evidence to cover treatment
Must demonstrate funds for full treatment cost.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
The journey.
7 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Complete DS-160 online
Go to ceac.state.gov/genniv. Answer ~100 questions accurately. Cannot be edited after submission. Print the confirmation page with the alphanumeric barcode.
- 02
Pay the $185 MRV fee
Via usvisascheduling.com. Keep the receipt number — required to book appointments.
- 03
Schedule two appointments
(1) VAC at VFS centre for biometrics; (2) Interview at US Consulate. VAC must be 2+ business days before Consulate.
- 04
Attend VAC appointment
Fingerprints + photo (biometrics) taken at VFS. Quick — usually under 30 min.
- 05
Attend Consulate interview
Bring ONLY: passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment confirmation, fee receipt, photo (if under 14), supporting documents (originals). NO bags, phones, laptops, water bottles — most Consulates have strict policies.
- 06
Interview (2–3 minutes)
Answer directly and honestly. Officer decides on the spot. You're told: Approved / 214(b) Refused / 221(g) Further review needed.
- 07
Passport + visa delivery
If approved, visa stamped in passport and delivered to chosen VFS pickup / courier within 3–7 business days.
What works
13 levers that flip a borderline case.
- The #1 factor in approval is proving 'strong ties to India' under section 214(b). Employment, family, property, business, ongoing education — layer multiple types of ties.
- First-time applicants are most likely to face close scrutiny. Be calm, concise, and direct in the interview.
- If you have a US-based relative, a simple invitation letter (not sponsorship affidavit) is sufficient. Don't over-document — officers dislike it.
- Answer in clear short sentences. 'I'm visiting my brother in Seattle for 3 weeks' is better than rambling detail.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1214(b) — Failure to demonstrate strong ties to India / non-immigrant intent (by far the most common)
- 2Thin financial profile relative to declared trip cost
- 3Vague or inconsistent purpose of visit
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
DS-160 — Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Mandatory online form for ALL US nonimmigrant visa applicants. Complete, submit, and print the confirmation page (with barcode) BEFORE booking your appointment.
US Embassy India — Official Visa Information
Official information on US visa services in India — covers all categories, updates, and notices.
USTravelDocs India — Appointment Scheduling & Fees
Where Indian applicants pay MRV fee, schedule VAC (biometrics) + Consulate (interview) appointments, and track passport return.
SEVIS Fee Payment (I-901) — for F/M/J visas
Required for student and exchange visa applicants BEFORE the visa interview. Keep the receipt.
USCIS — Petition-based Work Visa Information
For H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc — the employer files I-129 petition with USCIS first; approval notice (I-797) is required at visa interview.
VFS Application Centres
Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 questions to see your likelihood of approval. Embassies look for the same core factors across visa types — financial strength, clear purpose, genuine intent to return.
How clear is your purpose of visit?
How long is your planned stay?
Travel history to developed countries?
Any previous visa refusals?
Employment / income source?
3-month average bank balance?
Income Tax Returns history?
Travel bookings status?
Ties to India (reasons you'll return)?
Travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a US Tourist visa valid?+
What is 214(b)?+
Can I visit the US with a B-2 then extend to study?+
Can I work on a B-2 visa?+
Can I visit for medical treatment on B-2?+
Do I need to buy flight tickets before interview?+
What's the difference between B-1 and B-2?+
Before you apply
Two ways to apply for your United States usa tourist visa (b-2 — tourism / visit family).
Do it yourself
the risky route
- You guess which papers United States actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
With SureshotVisa
the approved route
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your United States usa tourist visa (b-2 — tourism / visit family) file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind 70% of Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive usa tourist visa (b-2 — tourism / visit family) on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by families
We've helped many families get their United States visa — the easy way.
From first-time usa tourist visa (b-2 — tourism / visit family) applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided families through United States's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
Other United States Visa Types
USA Business Visa (B-1 — Business Visitor)
Non-immigrant visa for Indian professionals doing business activities in the US — meetings, conferences, negotiations, consulting. $185. Usually combined B-1/B-2.
USA Student Visa (F-1 — Academic Student)
Full-time study visa for Indian students at US universities/colleges. Requires I-20 from SEVP-certified school + SEVIS fee + funds evidence. $185 visa fee.
USA Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1) — Informational
For participants in State-Department-approved exchange programs — research scholars, interns, trainees, au pairs, summer work travel, physicians. Sponsor-driven.
USA H-1B Work Visa (Speciality Occupation) — Informational
Petition-based work visa for Indian professionals with US job offers in specialty occupations requiring bachelor's+. Annual lottery, 65,000 cap + 20,000 US master's. $205.
USA L-1 Intra-Company Transfer Visa — Informational
For Indian managers/executives (L-1A) or specialised-knowledge employees (L-1B) transferring to a US branch/subsidiary of their employer. No annual cap. $205.
USA O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa — Informational
For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or film. Petition-based, no cap. Stringent standards.
USA P Visa (Athletes, Entertainers, Artists) — Informational
For internationally recognised athletes, entertainers, artists, or performers entering the US for specific events/competitions. P-1, P-2, P-3 sub-categories.
USA Q Cultural Exchange Visa — Informational
For participants in international cultural exchange programs providing practical training + cultural sharing with the American public.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global United States website and Embassy of United States. Last verified 2026-04-19. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
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