B1/B2 Visitor Visa: Start With Your Question
Every visitor visa question belongs to one stage of the journey — whether you qualify, what to prepare, the interview, a refusal, or travel after approval. Start with the stage you are in, or go straight to a most-asked question below.
First — am I eligible, and is this the right visa for my trip?
Purpose, ties and the B-1 / B-2 difference are worked out here, before any form or fee. Open this stage
What documents and money do I need to prepare?
The short official required list, the supporting evidence an officer may ask for, and who needs to show the money. Open this stage
How do I book and prepare for my interview?
The application steps in order, and what the interview is actually assessing. Open this stage
I was refused — what can I do now?
What a 214(b) refusal means, why there is no appeal, and when a new application makes sense. Open this stage
My visa is approved — how do travel and stay work?
Why the date on your I-94, not your visa's expiry date, decides when you must leave. Open this stage
Most-asked questions
Can my parents visit me in the USA?
Yes — visiting friends or relatives is a permitted B-2 purpose, and parents qualify on their own ties, like every visitor. Read the parents visiting children guide
Does my child need to send an invitation letter?
No — a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed, and it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa. Read the parents visiting children guide
What is the difference between B-1, B-2 and a combined B1/B2 visa?
B-1 is for a temporary business trip, B-2 is for tourism and visiting, and many travellers receive a combined B1/B2 visa. Read the complete visitor visa guide
Which documents are officially required?
Only four items are officially required — everything beyond them is supporting evidence an officer may ask for. Read the documents checklist
What will the officer ask me at the interview?
There is no official question list — officers assess your purpose, your intent to depart, and your ability to pay. Read the interview questions guide
My visitor visa was refused under 214(b) — can I apply again?
Yes — a 214(b) refusal is not permanent, but there is no appeal, and reapplying needs significant changes in your circumstances. Read the refusal and reapply guide
How long can I stay on a visitor visa?
Your visa's expiry date does not decide it — the admitted-until date on your I-94 does, set at entry on each trip. Read the after-approval and I-94 guide
Can retired parents show strong ties without a job?
Yes — a job is only one example of a tie, alongside your home and your relationships with family and friends. Read the parents visiting children guide
Official sources
Guides on this page are verified against official sources before publication. Official starting point: U.S. Department of State — Visitor Visa.
General educational information, not individualized legal advice. Follow the official instructions for the embassy or consulate where you apply, and consult a qualified U.S. immigration attorney for case-specific questions.
General information based on official sources — not a confirmation for your case. Always check the linked official page.