Tourist Visa USA & Visitor Visa Guide

A foreign national wishing to travel to the United States for tourism is usually required to obtain a visitor visa unless they qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. Tourism may cover short stays for holidays, visits to relatives or friends, or for medical treatment. The most common visa category for this purpose is the B-2 visitor visa, or in some cases the combined B1/B2 visa, which also covers specific business-related activities.

What this article is about: This guide provides an authoritative overview of US tourist and visitor visas. It explains the B-2 and B1/B2 visas, how to apply, the documents and fees involved, and key exemptions under the Visa Waiver Program. It also addresses the rules applying to Canadian and Bermudian citizens, who benefit from separate entry arrangements.

By understanding the available routes and their requirements, travellers can ensure they comply with US entry conditions, while advisers can use this as a reference when guiding applicants through the visitor visa process.

Section A: Visitor Visa for Tourism (B-2 / B1/B2)

The B-2 visa is the standard nonimmigrant visa for foreign nationals visiting the United States for leisure, tourism, or medical treatment. It can also be issued in combination with the B-1 visa as a B1/B2 visa, allowing both business and tourist travel under the same entry document. This combination is widely issued by consulates to give travellers flexibility for trips that may involve multiple purposes.

1. Definition and Purpose

The B-2 visa is a temporary visa designed for short-term visits that do not involve work or permanent residence. It permits travel for vacation, visits with family or friends, and certain medical treatments. The B1/B2 visa combines business and leisure purposes, covering activities such as meetings or conferences alongside tourism. Visa validity and the number of permitted entries are set by reciprocity agreements between the US and the applicant’s nationality, not solely by consular discretion.

Both B-2 and B1/B2 visas are issued for a limited period but may allow multiple entries depending on reciprocity schedules. The status and length of stay, however, are always determined at admission by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

You can read our detailed guide to the B-2 Visa here >>

You can read our detailed guide to the B1/B2 Visa here >>

2. Permitted Activities

Holders of a B-2 or B1/B2 visa may lawfully engage in a variety of visitor activities, including:

• Holiday or vacation travel within the United States
• Visiting relatives and friends
• Receiving medical treatment with supporting documentation (including diagnosis, US medical provider confirmation, costs, and proof of funds)
• Attending social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organisations
• Taking part in amateur music, sports, or similar events provided there is no payment
• Joining short recreational courses not for credit toward a degree (such as a short cooking or art class)

These visas do not allow employment, full-time study toward a degree, or long-term residence. Breaching visa conditions, such as engaging in unauthorized work, may result in visa cancellation, removal, and long-term entry bans.

3. Duration of Stay and Extensions

Although visa validity may cover several years and entries, the permitted stay is determined at the port of entry. Typically, CBP grants an initial admission of up to six months, recorded on the traveller’s I-94 arrival/departure record. The exact period is at the officer’s discretion.

Visitors who wish to extend their stay may apply using Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). To qualify, applicants must be in lawful status, provide a valid reason for the extension, show evidence of financial support, and confirm their intention to depart the US. USCIS recommends applying at least 45 days before the authorised stay ends. Extensions are discretionary and not guaranteed.

Overstaying can lead to severe immigration consequences, including cancellation of visas, refusal of future applications, and multi-year re-entry bans.

You can read our detailed guide to Form I-539 here >>

You can read our detailed guide to the B-2 Visa Extension here >>

You can read our detailed guide to the US Visitor Visa Extension here >>

Section A Summary

The B-2 and B1/B2 visas enable short-term visits for tourism, leisure, and medical treatment, with the flexibility to combine business and pleasure under one entry document. While these visas are widely used, they carry strict restrictions on work and study. Travellers should carefully observe the duration of stay granted by CBP and ensure they comply with visa conditions, applying for extensions properly if necessary.

Section B: Application Process

Applying for a US tourist visa involves several formal steps managed by the US Department of State. The process requires accurate completion of online forms, payment of fees, and usually an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate. Careful preparation is essential to avoid delays or refusals.

1. How to Apply

The application process begins with completing the DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form. This form collects personal details, travel history, security information, and requires a compliant digital photograph. Submission generates a confirmation page, which must be presented at the visa interview.

After submitting the DS-160, applicants must pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee and schedule an interview appointment at a US embassy or consulate. During the interview, a consular officer will review the application, ask questions about the purpose of travel, and assess whether the applicant qualifies for a visitor visa under US immigration law.

Certain applicants are exempt from interviews. As a general rule, children under 14 and applicants aged 80 or older are not required to attend, though consulates may require interviews at their discretion.

You can read our detailed guide to the DS-160 Form here >>

You can read our detailed guide to B-2 Visa Interview Questions here >>

2. Fees and Payment Requirements

The current application fee for a US tourist visa is $185 (as of 2025). This fee is non-refundable and must be paid before attending the visa interview. Payment methods differ by country and may include online payment, bank transfer, or authorised local banks. Applicants should always follow embassy-specific instructions.

Depending on nationality, an additional visa issuance fee—also known as a reciprocity fee—may apply. This fee is only payable if the visa is approved, and its amount is based on reciprocal arrangements between the United States and the applicant’s country.

3. Required Documentation

Applicants must prepare a set of supporting documents for their interview. Common requirements include:

• A valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond the planned stay
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Visa application fee receipt
• Recent passport-style photograph (if not uploaded successfully with the DS-160)
• Proof of financial resources, such as bank statements, pay slips, or tax records
• Evidence of strong ties to the home country, such as employment contracts, family commitments, or property documents
• Travel itinerary, where available (flight bookings, hotel reservations, planned visits)
• Additional documents supporting the stated purpose of travel (e.g., medical treatment letters)

Providing credible evidence of ties to the applicant’s home country is critical. Consular officers must be satisfied that the applicant intends to return home after their visit. Employment, property, and family obligations abroad are often decisive factors.

Section B Summary

The tourist visa application process involves careful completion of the DS-160, payment of the non-refundable fee, and attendance at a consular interview. Success depends not only on completing the formal steps but also on presenting strong evidence of financial stability and ties to the home country. Applicants who demonstrate that their trip is temporary and lawfully intended are more likely to secure approval.

Section C: Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of designated countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business without first obtaining a visa. Instead, travellers must secure authorisation through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before departure. This arrangement streamlines entry for short-term visits but comes with strict conditions and limitations.

1. Overview and Eligible Countries

The VWP is available to nationals of over 40 countries, including most European Union members, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. Eligibility is limited to countries with low visa overstay rates and strong security cooperation with the United States.

Travellers under the VWP may stay in the United States for up to 90 days. This period cannot be extended, and visitors must depart before the authorised stay ends. For longer trips, or where ESTA is unavailable, individuals must apply for a B-2 or B1/B2 visa instead.

You can read our detailed guide to the Visa Waiver Program here >>

2. ESTA Approval Requirement

Before boarding a flight or ship bound for the United States, VWP travellers must apply for and receive ESTA approval. ESTA is an online system operated by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that screens applicants for immigration or security risks.

Applicants are advised to submit their ESTA request at least 72 hours before travel. An ESTA is typically valid for two years, or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first. During that period, multiple trips may be made, provided no visit exceeds 90 days.

ESTA approval is a prerequisite for travel but does not guarantee entry. CBP officers at the port of entry make the final decision on admission. Importantly, ESTA authorisation can be revoked at any time if eligibility conditions change.

You can read our detailed guide to ESTA here >>

3. Restrictions and Limitations

The VWP has clear restrictions that travellers must follow:

• Stays cannot exceed 90 days and cannot be extended.
• Visitors cannot change status in the United States (e.g., switching to student or work visas).
• Individuals who have previously overstayed in the US are ineligible.
• Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of, or have recently travelled to, certain designated countries (including Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, and others) are barred from the program.
• Travellers must use a biometric, machine-readable passport issued by a participating country.

Where eligibility is in doubt, or where a traveller needs a longer or different type of stay, a B-2 or B1/B2 visa should be obtained instead.

Section C Summary

The Visa Waiver Program provides a convenient route for nationals of eligible countries to visit the United States for short stays without a visa. ESTA approval is mandatory, and entry remains subject to CBP discretion. While efficient, the VWP carries strict limits on duration, purpose, and status changes. Overstaying or breaching conditions can result in long-term ineligibility and significant immigration consequences.

Section D: Special Cases (Canada & Bermuda)

Most foreign nationals require a visitor visa or ESTA approval to enter the United States. However, citizens of Canada and Bermuda benefit from longstanding statutory exemptions that provide simplified entry arrangements for short visits. These exemptions make travel easier but do not remove the need to comply with US immigration law.

1. Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens generally do not need a B-1/B-2 visa to enter the United States for tourism or short-term business visits. They are usually admitted at the port of entry upon presenting a valid Canadian passport and are classified in visitor (B-1/B-2) status. Unlike travellers under the Visa Waiver Program, Canadians do not need ESTA approval for air, land, or sea travel.

There are, however, exceptions. Canadian citizens require visas for specific categories, including employment, study, fiancé(e) (K-1) visas, or investor (E) visas. Permanent immigration also requires the appropriate immigrant visa. Canadians with prior immigration violations or criminal records may also be referred for consular processing before travel.

2. Bermudian Citizens

Citizens of Bermuda also enjoy simplified rules under statutory exemptions. They generally do not require a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 180 days. At admission, CBP officers determine the length of stay and may grant up to this period. As with Canadians, Bermudians are considered to hold visitor status during their stay.

Bermudians still need visas for employment, study, immigration, or for certain specialised nonimmigrant categories. They are also subject to immigration checks at the border and must comply fully with US admission requirements.

3. Exceptions and Visa Requirements

Even with these exemptions, Canadians and Bermudians may need visas in specific circumstances, such as:

• Seeking to work or study in the United States
• Applying for lawful permanent residence (immigrant visas)
• Entering under specialised categories such as fiancé(e) or investor visas
• Having prior immigration violations or criminal records

These exceptions demonstrate that while exemptions simplify travel, they are not absolute. Understanding the limits of nationality-based privileges is essential for lawful entry.

Section D Summary

Canadian and Bermudian citizens enjoy exemptions from visa requirements for short-term tourism and business visits, reflecting their close ties with the United States. They are usually admitted directly in visitor status without the need for ESTA or a tourist visa. However, exemptions do not extend to work, study, immigration, or certain specialist categories, where visas remain mandatory. Travellers from these countries should confirm their eligibility in advance to avoid difficulties at the border.

FAQs

What is the difference between a B-2 visa and ESTA?

A B-2 visa is a visitor visa issued by a US embassy or consulate that allows entry for tourism, leisure, or medical treatment, usually for up to six months. Extensions may be possible by applying to USCIS. By contrast, ESTA is electronic travel authorisation under the Visa Waiver Program. It allows eligible nationals to enter without a visa for up to 90 days, but ESTA cannot be extended or converted to another status.

How long can I stay in the US on a tourist visa?

A B-2 or B1/B2 visa typically allows admission for up to six months, with the exact length determined by a US Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry. An extension may be possible by filing Form I-539 with USCIS. ESTA travel under the Visa Waiver Program is limited to 90 days with no extensions.

Can I extend my tourist visa once I’m in the US?

Yes. B-2 visa holders may apply for an extension by filing Form I-539 with USCIS before their authorised stay expires. Applicants must remain in lawful status at the time of filing and provide evidence of financial support, valid reasons for extension, and proof of intention to return home. ESTA visitors under the Visa Waiver Program cannot extend their stay or change status.

Do children need ESTA approval under the Visa Waiver Program?

Yes. All travellers, including infants and children, must have their own ESTA approval to enter the United States under the VWP. Each traveller must also hold a valid machine-readable passport from a participating country.

Are medical treatments covered under the B-2 visa?

Yes. The B-2 visa permits entry for medical treatment. Applicants should present supporting documents such as a diagnosis from a home country physician, confirmation of treatment from a US medical provider, details of expected costs, and proof of funds to cover medical and living expenses.

Conclusion

Tourist travel to the United States is subject to defined visa and entry rules. For most foreign nationals, this requires applying for a B-2 or B1/B2 visa, which typically permits a stay of up to six months but restricts work and study. For nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries, ESTA authorisation enables visa-free entry for visits of up to 90 days, although ESTA cannot be extended or changed into another status. Canadian and Bermudian citizens benefit from exemptions that allow entry without a visa for short visits, though visas remain necessary for employment, study, or immigration purposes.

In all cases, compliance with US entry conditions is vital. Overstaying or breaching visa terms can lead to cancellation of visas and multi-year bans on re-entry. Selecting the correct entry route—whether a visa, ESTA, or a nationality-based exemption—and preparing the required documentation helps ensure lawful, smooth travel to the United States for tourism.

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Gill Laing

Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law. Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing & Content Agency for the Professional Services Sector.

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