B-1/B-2 Visas: Business and Tourist Visas

The visitor visa is a type of non-immigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure, tourism or medical treatment (B-2).

Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as visitors under U.S. law.

The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating:

The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
They plan to remain for a specific, limited period;
They have funds to cover expenses in the United States;
They have compelling social and economic ties abroad; and
They have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties that will ensure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

For more information on B-1 and B-2 visas, click here.

Note:
By signing the visa application form you are certifying that all the information contained in it is true and correct. If you misrepresent any facts, you could be barred from entering the United States. Please double-check that all your answers are accurate and that every question is answered completely. Please inquire with the staff in the Consular Section if you do not understand any of the questions on the application form.

Individuals Requiring Medical Treatment

The United States does not offer a visa specifically designated for medical treatment. Any applicant who wishes to receive medical treatment in the US must qualify for a B2 tourist visa. In addition, all applicants requesting visas to go to the United States for medical treatment must provide all of the following at the time of their visa interview:

Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason the applicant requires treatment in the United States.
Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, expressing a willingness to treat this specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
Statement of financial responsibility from the individuals or an organization that will pay for the patient’s transportation, medical and living expenses. The individuals guaranteeing payment of these expenses must provide proof of ability to do so, often in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns.