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Secrets to Getting a US Visitor Visa

By Rachel Barrick May 14, 2018 (Updated September 12, 2023) 3 min. read
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What is a US Visitor Visa?

If you are planning on traveling to the United States for business, tourism, vacation, or visit, you may need to apply for a visitor visa. This visa will allow you to temporarily visit the United States, and comes in the form of a B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 combination visa. The type of visa you apply for will depend on your reasons for travel. Depending on your country of origin, you may be eligible to apply for the Visa Waiver Program, or be exempt for requiring any visa or visa waiver at all.

Tips for Getting a US Visitor Visa

  1. Make sure you need a visa!

    • If you are traveling to the US from Canada or Bermuda, you will not require a visitor visa to enter the country.
    • If you are a visitor from one of the approved 38 countries, you may also be eligible to apply for the Visa Waiver Program. This allows you to stay in the US for 90 days or less without a visa.
    • Before you do anything, look at this list! You will save time if you discover you do not need to apply for a visa.
    • You should also check if you are from a country eligible for one of the Trusted Traveler Programs. These programs, which include Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, can ease the process of entering a United States port of entry.
  2. Find out which visitor visa is best for you

    • You must identify your reasons for traveling to the US, and apply for the visa that best fits those reasons.
    • The B-1 visa is for individuals traveling to the US for business. Reasons to apply for this visa include: consulting with business associates, attending a business conference or convention, negotiating contracts, purchasing property, and investigating business opportunities.
    • The B-2 visa is for individuals traveling to the US for tourism, vacation, or to visit family/friends. It also applies to individuals traveling to the US for medical treatment  or participation in certain types of social or service events.
    • The B-1/B-2 combination visa is for individuals traveling for purposes included in both visa types.
  3. Find out how to apply for a visa from your US Embassy or Consulate

    • The application process and order of steps you take to apply may vary based on the embassy or consulate through which you apply. The format will generally include the steps listed below.
    • You will be required to fill out the online nonimmigrant visa application and upload a photo.
    • Once the form is completed, print the application form confirmation page to bring to your visa interview.
    • Schedule an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live.
    • Make sure to pay all required fees and bring all required documentation.
    • You must be able to prove that you are not coming to the country to immigrate, but rather to visit for one of the purposes included under the visa.
  4. Apply as early as possible!

    • Wait times for interview appointments can vary by location, time of year, and application type, so we recommend applying for a visa as soon as you know you need it.
    • Visa processing times also vary on a case to case basis, which is another reason it is important to apply early.
  5. Understand visa extensions

    • Once you are in the United States, you may request to extend your stay past the duration you have indicated. However, you are required to leave the US by the indicated date unless your request is approved.

Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer to Visit the US?

Upon entering the United States, officials at the port-of-entry do have the authority to allow or deny entry to the US. For this reason, we recommend hiring an immigration lawyer to help ensure your application is prepared properly and that there is no reason for a denial to occur. Here at VisaPlace, we have many years of experience with visitor visas, and know how to make the process go as smoothly as possible, and improve the chances of a visa approval. If you would like to hire an immigration lawyer, you can book a consultation here. If you are unsure if you want to hire an immigration lawyer, we recommend you fill out our free online assessment, and we will contact you regarding your eligibility.

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Sarah Quernasian

Lawyers here are so kind and sweet and provide so much information in an easy to understand way, especially about visa and obtaining work once in the country. My lawyer was very good and I’m looking forward to having her knowledge in the future for any other immigration needs.

Charles Scalise Avatar

Charles Scalise

The thought of immigrating was very stressful for me and my family, I felt lost. However, working with VisaPlace was very positive and I recommend them to those who need help with immigration. Their team worked with me very closely and presented to me multiple potential options and explained what the process would look like as well as the timeline. I’m so grateful to their guidance.

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Pherry AshMalt

I won’t go into detail for privacy, but I was in a very bad situation where almost no lawyer would work with me or even provide me with legal counsel on my case. I was terrified of being removed from the country, but with the help of the professionals at VisaPlace, they were able to help me and I was allowed to stay. The relief I feel is immense. Thank you to the amazing team.

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Walter J.

I was frustrated after talking to several different immigration firms. Many just didn’t seem honest or upfront. However, a friend recommended VisaPlace to me, and I am glad they did. I worked with a lady and she was very knowledgeable and explained the process to me. She was so essential for the immigration process. I would definitely go back to her if i needed any further support.

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Marco Tame

I’d like to be clear that I’m somewhat of a skeptic, especially when it comes to investing time and money into a new venture. I’m originally from the UK but I made the decision to migrate to Canada after meeting my girlfriend online six months ago. I know the process is going to take time, but I wanted legal counsel to make sure I approach the process in the most efficient way possible – I HATE wasting time. My consultation over the phone was informative and eased some of my initial concerns about potential hiccups. The lawyer I worked with was good about getting back to me, although occasionally she couldn’t be reached due to being in court – that was fine, she typically followed up relatively quickly. I’m now well within the process of immigrating and I have appreciated having the legal support.

Michael Her Avatar

Michael Her

It was pretty easy to make an appointment with visaplace. I have seen some people complain about the pricing, which is odd because in comparison to other firms, their rates are relatively fair. They were also honest and upfront with the complexities of my case and gave me the option to decide whether or not I wanted to move forward. I did end up moving forward and things have been going according to what we discussed. I am relieved to know there are honest professionals out there who won’t over-promise you things they can’t deliver.

Michael Her Avatar

Michael Her

It was pretty easy to make an appointment with visaplace. I have seen some people complain about the pricing, which is odd because in comparison to other firms, their rates are relatively fair. They were also honest and upfront with the complexities of my case and gave me the option to decide whether or not I wanted to move forward. I did end up moving forward and things have been going according to what we discussed. I am relieved to know there are honest professionals out there who won’t over-promise you things they can’t deliver.