United States Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees, Processing Time & How to Apply
Start your applicationIt depends on your passport. Most nationalities need a B1/B2 visitor visa to visit the US for tourism, family visits, or short business trips. A B1/B2 visa allows stays of up to 6 months per entry and is valid for 10 years. An in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate and a biometrics appointment at an OFAC center are required.
the United States visa at a glance
- Government fee
- $185 — passed through at cost, no markup
- Official processing
- 3–6 weeks (first-time applicant)
- Validity / stay
- 10 years · up to 6 months per entry
- Visa types
- 4
Do you need a visa for the United States?
The ESTA visa waiver program is available to passport holders of certain countries only — confirm your eligibility before applying.
For verified entry rules by nationality, see:
the United States visa types
- B1/B2 visitor visa
- Tourism, family visits, short business trips — Up to 6 months per entry
- F-1 student visa
- Study at US institutions — Duration of program
- H-1B work visa
- Specialty occupation — 3 years (renewable)
- L-1 intra-company visa
- Company transfer — Up to 5 years
Who is eligible
Whether you need a visa for the US depends on your nationality:
Your legal residence also matters. Apply through the US embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence. For Indian passport holders, the standard option is a B1/B2 visitor visa costing $185 in government fees, valid for 10 years, allowing stays of up to 6 months per entry, with processing taking 3–6 weeks. An in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata) and a biometrics appointment at an OFAC center are required. For Filipino passport holders, the standard option is a B1/B2 visitor visa costing $185, valid for up to 6 months per entry, with processing taking 3–6 weeks.
Visa-exempt nationalities can enter the US visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) for stays up to 90 days — confirm whether your passport is eligible.
Visa-required nationalities need a B1/B2 visitor visa or another applicable category before arrival.
Long-stay, work, study, or residence requires a different category; this guide covers short-stay visitor entry only.
Documents required for a the United States visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Size: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm)Photo specifications · Size: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm)
- Background: whitePhoto specifications · Background: white
- Face: centered, looking straight at camera, neutral expression, mouth closedPhoto specifications · Face: centered, looking straight at camera, neutral expression, mouth closed
- No glasses (as of 2024 policy)Photo specifications · No glasses (as of 2024 policy)
- No headwear (except religious, with face visible)Photo specifications · No headwear (except religious, with face visible)
- Taken within the last 6 monthsPhoto specifications · Taken within the last 6 months
the United States visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- $185 — passed through at cost, no markup
- Expedify processing fee
- $111 (60% of government fee) — shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- 10 years · up to 6 months per entry
- Official processing
- 3–6 weeks (first-time applicant)
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a the United States visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need a visa
Check the US Department of State visa-exemption list for your nationality. If ESTA is available, you don't need a B1/B2 visa.
Complete the DS-160 form at ceac.state.gov. This form asks for your travel plans, employment history, education, family information, and previous travel. It takes 30–60 minutes to complete. Print the confirmation page with the barcode
you need this for your interview.
Pay the visa fee
$185 MRV fee through the US Embassy's payment portal. The fee is non-refundable even if your visa is denied.
Book your biometrics appointment at an OFAC (Offsite Facilitation Center) for fingerprinting and photo capture
OFAC centers are located in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata for Indian applicants.
Book your interview appointment at a US Embassy or Consulate
After biometrics, book your visa interview at a US Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.
Attend the interview
the interview lasts 2–5 minutes. The consular officer will ask about your travel purpose, ties to your home country, financial situation, and previous travel. Be concise and honest.
Wait for the decision
if approved, your passport with the visa is delivered to your chosen pickup location within 3–7 business days. If denied, you receive a refusal letter explaining the reason.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check US Government requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Appointments
- Apply yourself
- You book and attend OFAC + interview yourself
- With Expedify
- We prepare your application and guide you
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check the US Embassy portal
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you at every step
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into the United States is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your visa or ESTA authorization.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and itinerary.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
Conditions of stay
- Stay length is determined by the CBP officer at entry — it can be less than your visa's maximum.
- A B1/B2 visa is not a work permit — no employment.
- No full-time study on a B1/B2 visa.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a the United States visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Section 214(b)
failure to prove ties to your home country. The officer wasn't convinced you'd return. Show employment, property, family ties, and a clear travel purpose.
Insufficient financial proof
not enough evidence you can fund your trip. 6 months of bank statements, 3 years of tax returns, property documents.
Inconsistent answers
your interview answers didn't match your DS-160. Review your DS-160 before the interview; answer consistently.
Previous visa denial
a prior denial (any country) was flagged. Be honest about prior denials; explain what changed since then.
Criminal record
any criminal history, even minor. Disclose everything; a minor record doesn't always mean denial.
Frequently asked questions
the United States visa questions, answered.
More for your the United States trip
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.