Visitors Visas

The visitor visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure, tourism or medical treatment (B-2). International travelers with visitor visas comprise a large portion of temporary visitor travel to the United States every year.

Applying for a Visitor Visa from Overseas

Applicants for visitor visas should generally apply the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of review than in the past so it is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date.

As part of the visa application process, an interview at the embassy consular section is required for visa applicants from age 14 through 79, with few exceptions. Persons age 13 and younger, and age 80 and older, generally do not require an interview, unless requested by embassy or consulate.

Visitor Visa Extension
If you came to the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa and you want to extend your stay you must apply with USCIS before your authorized stay, denoted on your Form I-94, expires. It is recommended you apply well in advance of your expiration date. The decision to grant or deny a request for extension of stay is made solely by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.