US B1/B2 Tourist Visa: Complete 2026 Application Guide

The US B1/B2 visa is the most requested non-immigrant visa in the world, and also one of the most frequently refused. The refusal rate is not about paperwork — it is about how convincingly you demonstrate that you will return home. Everything in your application should support that single point.

B1 covers business visitors: meetings, conferences, contract negotiations. B2 covers tourism, family visits and medical treatment. Most travellers are issued a combined B1/B2 stamp, valid ten years for many nationalities, with each entry granting up to six months of stay.

Step one is the DS-160 form, filed online. Take your time — mistakes here follow you through the process. Save your application ID and photo confirmation before you submit; you will need them for the interview.

Step two is paying the MRV fee and scheduling two appointments: biometrics enrolment and the consular interview. Appointment wait times in 2026 vary widely by post; some cities are booking three to six months out.

Step three is the interview itself. It typically lasts under three minutes. The officer wants to answer one question: is this person likely to overstay? Bring a slim, organised folder with proof of employment, property or business ownership, family ties, prior travel history, and evidence you can fund the trip without working in the US.

Strong ties to home are the single most important factor. A stable job with an employer letter confirming your return date, ownership of assets, family dependants and prior compliant international travel all count. Absence of ties is why first-time applicants from certain countries are refused far more often.

Common refusal codes: 214(b) means the officer was not convinced you would return home. It is not a permanent bar — many applicants are approved on the next attempt after strengthening their profile. 221(g) means additional documents are required.

Do not book non-refundable travel until your visa is issued. Do not memorise a script — officers spot rehearsed answers instantly. Answer directly, keep responses under fifteen seconds each, and do not volunteer extra information.

Travel Network Portal prepares your entire B1/B2 file: DS-160 completion, document checklist, employer letter templates, mock interview coaching and appointment booking. Get started with Travel Network Portal or email info@travelnetworkportal.com to begin.