B-2 Tourist Visa

B-2 Tourist Visa Lawyers in Skokie

Your Trip to the U.S. Starts with a Visa

The B-2 visa is also known as the “tourist” visa. This visa applies to citizens of foreign countries who wish to visit the United States for a temporary visit for pleasure, medical treatment, or tourism purposes.

A B-2 can be issued in either single-entry or multiple-entry formats. In addition, this visa may also be issued for a limited time frame or on an indefinite basis.

To get started on your application for a B-2 visa, call Gambacorta Law at (847) 443-9303.

B-2 Eligibility Requirements

To procure a B-2 tourist visa, you will have to prove that you meet the eligibility requirements and complete the application process.

The B-2 visa is available to:

  • Individuals who wish to come to the U.S. as tourists
  • Individuals who wish to visit friends and relatives in the U.S. for a short time
  • Individuals who need to come to the U.S. for medical treatment
  • Foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen or green card holder
  • Amateur musicians, entertainers, athletes, and performers who plan to participate in an activity or event related to their field without compensation
  • Foreign nationals participating in a social organization’s convention in the U.S.
  • The dependents of foreign national members of the U.S. armed forces who are temporarily stationed in the U.S.
  • Foreign nationals entering the U.S. seeking special naturalization benefits for U.S. military service

The B-2 visa will only be issued to applicants who can demonstrate the financial resources that would accommodate round-trip travel to and from the United States as well as payment of all living expenses during the temporary visit. If you are the individual with a B-2 status, you are not allowed to engage in unauthorized employment in the United States and must only engage in legitimate activities. Moreover, you must prove to the consular officer that you will return abroad upon completing your temporary visit for pleasure.

B-2 Visa for Studying

You may also be able to enter the U.S for certain types of study on a B-2 visa. If you are traveling to the United States for tourism and at the same time you want to take a short course of study, that is taken as recreational and not for credit toward a degree. The course must be less than 18 hours per week. Students must also check with the school or program they wish to attend and with the U.S. consular officer in their home country to determine if they can use a tourist visa for their specific school or program.

The B-2 Application Process

To obtain a B-2, you will have to:

  • Complete Form DS-160, which can be done online. Keep the 10-digit barcode that you receive at the end—you’ll use it to set up your visa interview appointment.
  • Send a digital photograph that meets USCIS’s specific size requirements.
  • Pay the visa application fee, which costs $140.
  • Set up a visa interview appointment. Be sure to schedule the appointment with your consulate or embassy far enough in advance of your planned travel date.
  • Complete the visa interview appointment. All applicants other than minors are required to complete the in-person interview.

Visitors are not permitted to work in the U.S. There is also no guarantee that a tourist visa will be issued to the applicants; thus, we advise that you do not make final travels plans or buy a plane ticket before a visa is finally issued. Upon issuance of a visa, it is considered valid until its expiration date or until canceled or revoked. With this, a valid visa remains valid even if your passport expires.

Some important things to note about the B-2 visa:

  • Visa applicants must qualify based on their residence and ties to their country of citizenship rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. As such, a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed for a tourist visa.
  • In the event you are granted the visa, the initial period of stay is one month with six months being the maximum period. You may be able to extend your stay for up to one year.
  • Spouses and children are not eligible to obtain a dependent visa. Each of them must apply independently for a visa and must follow the visa regulations.

You Need an Immigration Attorney for Your B-2 Visa

Obtaining a visa can be a tedious process. From the bureaucratic requirements to documentation, fees, and interviews, visa applications are a headache. Having an immigration attorney on your side can help alleviate the burden.

At Gambacorta Law, our goal is to help you through your visa application. We can help you obtain the visa you need with our trusted immigration assistance. Having a Skokie B-2 visa attorney working for you means you do not have to put in as much effort in your application—we are here with you every step of the way and we know the process by heart. Having assisted countless clients with their immigration-related issues and applications, we have the right set of experience and skills to effectively assist you with your application.

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Get in touch with us today to know more about how we can help. Call (847) 443-9303.

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