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B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa, Explained

Understanding the b visas for u.s. business and tourism, in this guide.

• How long does it take to get a B-1/B-2 visa? 
• How many times can you visit the U.S. with a B-1/B-2 Visa? 
• B-1/B-2 Visa Cost
• Can you change status from B1/B2?
• Required documents for a travel visa
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Boundless guides
• B-1/B-2 Visas

What is a B-1/B-2 visa?

A B-1/B-2 visa is a non-immigrant , visa that allows foreign nationals to travel to the United States temporarily for business (B-1), tourism (B-2), or a mix of both (B1/B2). This visa category is widely used for brief visits to the U.S. B visas are typically valid for up to 10 years from the issue date, and travelers to the U.S. can stay up to 180 days, with the option to return to the U.S. again after that time.

Take our 5-minute quiz to check your eligibility.

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How long does it take to get a B-1/B-2 visa?

As of December 2023, the average wait time (processing time) for most B1/B2 visa interview appointments is between 2 months (Brazil) to 2+ years (Canada). To check the wait time for your specific embassy or consulate, enter your city in this  handy State Department tool  under the section “Appointment Wait Time.” Note that if you are applying for an interview in a country other than your home country, wait times may be longer.

How long can you stay in the USA on a B-1/B-2 Visa?

A maximum of 6 months may be obtained for any B-1/B-2 entry, with the possibility for extensions within the U.S. in qualifying cases. The exact duration varies per visa holder, but you can typically stay in the U.S. for up to six months. The B1/B2 visa is a multiple-entry visa, which means you can use it to enter the U.S. more than once. There’s no set limit to the number of times you can visit the U.S. in a year, and it depends on the specific circumstances and discretion of the CBP officers who review your case each time you enter.

It’s important to remember that the B1/B2 visa is intended for temporary, occasional visits for business, tourism, or medical treatment. It’s not meant to be used for living long-term in the U.S. or spending the majority of your time in the country.

What’s the difference between a B1 visa and a B2 visa?

The B1 is used for short business trips (conferences, meetings, contract negotiations, etc). Those with B1 visas cannot work in the U.S. in the traditional sense, as of March 2023, B1 or B2 visa holders can apply for jobs in the U.S. and attend interviews. 

The B2 (tourist visa) is for tourism, vacation, or visiting friends and family. It also covers certain medical treatments and participation in social events or contests, like music or sports, without receiving pay. In most cases, a B1/B2 visa is issued together, allowing the holder to travel for both business and pleasure. 

How many times can you visit the U.S. with a B-1/B-2 Visa?

Depending on the context, the number of times you can visit the U.S. with a B visa varies. B1B2 visas are multiple-entry, meaning they can be used to enter the U.S. more than once. There’s no set limit to the number of times you can visit the U.S. in a year, and it depends on the specific circumstances and discretion of the CBP officers who review your case each time you enter.

If officers think you’re trying to live in the U.S. through frequent or extended visits, or if you’re not maintaining significant ties to your home country, they may suspect you’re misusing the visa, which could lead to denial of entry or future visa issues.

While there’s no official limit, it’s vital to respect the purpose and restrictions of your visa to avoid any problems. If you need guidance on your specific situation, it’s a good idea to consult with an immigration expert.

Currently, the government filing fee for a B visa is $185, which does not include the cost of gathering documents and evidence and acquiring passport photos.

Boundless has helped more than 100,000 people navigate the visa application process, and we’ll help you make a travel visa plan based on your unique situation. Get started today!

B visa requirements

A B1/B2 visitor visa is for many types of trips to the U.S., including business and non-business activities like tourism. If you want to apply for a B1 or B2 visa, you need to prove that your trip to the U.S. is only for a short time.

You must also show proof that you plan to return to your home country after your visit, and that you have a place to live outside the U.S. that you will not leave for good. These points help show that you will follow the rules of the B1/B2 visa.

Reasons for travel under a B1 visitor visa include:

• Business consultations : This might include meetings, negotiations, or discussions with business associates in the U.S.
• Attending conferences or seminars : This can cover professional, educational, scientific, or business conventions.
• Settling an estate : If someone inherits property or assets in the U.S., a B1 visa can allow them to handle these matters legally.
• Contract negotiations : If a person needs to sign or negotiate a contract with a U.S. company, a B1 visa is often the correct choice.
• Professional examination and licensing : Some professionals must be in the U.S. to take exams or get licenses only available there.

Reasons for travel under a B2 tourist visa include:

• Tourism : This could be sightseeing, visiting famous landmarks, exploring cities, or simply enjoying the country’s culture and atmosphere.
• Visiting family or friends : Many people use a B2 visa to visit their loved ones living in the U.S.
• Medical treatment : If someone requires medical treatment or a procedure that’s available in the U.S., they might apply for a B2 visa.
• Social events : Attending events like concerts, cooking classes, conventions, festivals, or other social gatherings can be another reason for using a B2 visa.
• Participation in events or contests : If the event doesn’t involve professional participation (like amateur tournaments or contests), a B2 visa could be suitable.
• Short courses of study : If the course duration is less than 18 hours per week, this falls under B2 visa regulations.

You cannot travel under this visa to engage any of the following:

• Long-term employment by a U.S. firm
• Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States

Boundless has helped more than 100,000 people with their immigration and U.S. travel plans. We’ll be your partner from beginning to end. Get started today!

Boundless tip

The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States without a visa for business, tourism, or while in transit for up to 90 days. The program currently covers 38 countries and territories, including most countries in the European Union.

Canadian nationals also typically do not need a visa to enter the US for tourism purposes. Canadian nationals will need the appropriate visa if they have specific plans to study, work, or move permanently to the U.S.

Different entry requirements also apply to Canadian nationals, depending on whether they plan to work, study, invest, or immigrate. The maximum length of stay can vary, depending on circumstances, between 6 months and 1 year.

The B1 visa and B2 visa do not grant  permanent resident status  — they are temporary visas – but you can adjust your status from a B1/B2 visa to another type of visa while you are in the U.S., as long as you meet certain requirements. This process involves submitting a change of status application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Here are a few key points to consider:

Key points to consider if you want to change status from B1/B2

• Purpose of stay : Your reason for wanting to stay in the U.S. should match the new visa type. For example, if you wish to study, you may apply to change to a student visa (F-1). If you find an employer willing to sponsor you, you could apply to change to a work visa (like H-1B).
• Timing : You should apply before your current status expires, typically indicated on the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. USCIS recommends applying at least 45 days before your current status expires.
• Eligibility : Not everyone can change their status. For example, you cannot change your status if you entered the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program unless it is due to marriage to a U.S. citizen.
• Status violation : If you’ve violated the terms of your current status (for instance, if you’ve started working while on a B1/B2 visa without authorization), you usually can’t change your status.
• Approval : Even if you meet all conditions and file an application, the final decision is up to USCIS.

If you’ve just married someone who’s a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (they have a green card), you can also apply for a marriage green card. This lets you stay in the U.S. and live with your spouse. You can either apply for a green card while you’re still in the country in a process is called “adjustment of status” (AOS), or you can apply from your home country through what’s called consular processing. To find out if you’re eligible for a B1B2 visa or to change your status from a B1B2 visa, take our eligibility quiz. Get started today!

Documents needed to apply for a B1/B2 visa include:

• A passport valid for six months past the date of return
• A recent digital photograph that meets government requirements
• Documentation of the past five previous trips to the United States, if applicable
• Proof of funds to cover the entire cost of the trip, including travel, accommodation, and living expenses
• Proof of binding ties to the applicant’s home country, such as a job, property, or family

B1/B2 visa application process

Applications are processed by the United States Embassy or consulate in your country.

You will need to attend an interview before your visa is approved. You can attend an interview at an embassy or consulate in a third country, but you will likely wait longer for a visa appointment.

Steps to getting a B Visa

• First, you must complete the Online Non-Immigrant Application, Form DS-160. File the form online and print the confirmation page as you will need it for your interview.
• Upload your digital photo
• Attend the visa interview

As part of the process, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken, typically at the interview. After the interview, the consular officer may request additional documents or information to make a decision about your case.

Boundless’ Travel Visa Service makes applying a breeze with online filing, 1:1 interview coaching, interview scheduling, and support if your visa is denied. Take our approval odds quiz to check your eligibility.

B-1 visas are issued for short business trips, while B-2 visas are issued for tourism purposes, such as vacations or visiting family.

If you’re looking to temporarily visit the U.S. for either holiday or work purposes, for example, attending a conference, touring a place or visiting relatives, then you can apply for a B-1/B-2 visa. You may need to show proof that you have ties to your home country, and that you plan on leaving the U.S..

When you enter the U.S., a customs officer will give you authorization to stay in the the country for up to six months . If you’d like to stay for longer, you may be able to apply to extend this for up to one year.

If you are nearing the end of your permitted stay in the U.S., then you may wish to extend it, especially since there can be future consequences if you stay in the U.S. longer than you were allowed to.

If you’re on a B-1 visa or a B-2 visa, you can request to extend your stay up to one year. To do this, you will need to file Form I-539 to extend or change your status. It’s recommended that you apply to extend your status at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires, so make sure you’re thinking ahead.

No. While you can enter the U.S. for business purposes, you cannot work or be employed by a U.S. employer. If you’re interested in working in the U.S. for a U.S. employer, you may be interested in other visa categories, such as the H-1B visa .

How can I renew my B1 visa or B2 visa?

If you would like to renew your B-1/B-2 visa, then you will need to go through the original process. Depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply, you may be able to complete your visa renewal without the need for an interview.

Should I apply for a B-1/B-2 visa or an ESTA?

If you are a citizen of one of the 38 countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program , then you have the option of applying for an ESTA instead of a B1 visa or B2 visa.

Both allow you to enter the U.S. for the same reasons of tourism or business, but you can apply for the ESTA online. Entering the U.S. this way only permits you to stay for up to 90 days, however, so if you would like to stay in the U.S. for travel or business purposes for longer, the B-1/B-2 visitor visa may be an option for you.

Do Canadian citizens need a B-1/B-2 visa?

For casual business or tourism travel, most Canadian citizens don’t need a visa and will automatically be admitted on a B-1 visa or B-2 visa category.

Is the B-1/B-2 visa an immigrant or non-immigrant visa?

The B-1/B-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa, but if your circumstances change, for example, you marry a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, there are several paths from a visitor visa to a green card . Learn more to see how Boundless can help you avoid major headaches and make the process easier.

Do I need a certain amount of money in my bank account to be approved for a travel visa?

No. A common misconception about the travel visa process is that in order be approved, you must provide proof of a certain amount of funds in your bank account. Although financial considerations are one aspect of the B-1/B-2 process, and the consular officer may check to see if you are able to support yourself financially during your time in the U.S., there is no minimum required amount of funds that needs to be met. Evaluation of finances will vary from applicant to applicant, depending on a variety of other factors. Learn more common myths about the travel visa process in Boundless’ blog post .

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The 4 Basic Types of Travel Visas: Everything You Need To Know

Brian Graham

Former Content Contributor

10 Published Articles

Countries Visited: U.S. States Visited:

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3130 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Your Visa Status Determines Your Ability To Travel

Travel visa article series:, the 4 types of travel visa, tourist visas for u.s. passport holders, tourist  visas to the u.s., type #2 –  immigration visa requirements: obtaining permanent residence in the u.s., u.s. citizens studying abroad, foreign citizens studying in the u.s., type #4 –  work visa requirements: do your business abroad, change or adjustment of status: going from 1 visa to another, 10 top countries that require visas from the u.s., other special notes: passport validity and transit visas, visa centers and third-party visa services, visa application fees: how much and how to apply, visa conclusions: do your research or be turned away.

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You’ve likely heard of a travel visa before, but if you’re like most people, the phrase either overwhelmed or confused you! Who wants to think about government requirements when planning a well-deserved vacation anyway?

Then again, perhaps you haven’t heard it referred to as a “travel visa” because you’ve heard about 1 of the 2 main overall types of visas or 1 of the 4 sub-types.

We know this all sounds baffling, but it does not have to be!

In this series of articles, we’ll help you learn everything you need to know about travel visa requirements and how to get them sorted out for your upcoming trips!

A Series on Passport Visas: What ARE Visas Anyway? Do I Need a Visa?

Once you have obtained your very first passport (or simply renewed an old one ), you need to first understand “how it all works” when talking about traveling.

As much as we would like the world to be free, most of us still have to ask permission to travel around and visit countries other than our own. This idea will probably be around for a while, so it is best to understand it now.

Unfortunately, when we talk about the concept known as “visas,” we don’t mean our favorite credit card processing kind …this is the travel visa!

Whether you are a citizen of the U.S. or any other country, visas are universal. However, the requirements do vary by country, and since each visa represents a relationship between countries, they are unique to each case.

Because this is such an important part of travel that many people find hard to understand or annoying to deal with, we decided to do a series of posts on the visa itself.

Knowing the requirements is critical since you will not be able to travel without the proper visa status.

We will first explain the general aspects and different types of visas in this article and then describe each part of the different visas in upcoming articles until we have covered everything!

Equipped with this knowledge, you’ll be fully prepared for your trip and have all the information you need. This will ensure that you can continue using your credit cards to earn points and begin deciding where you want to redeem them for travel next!

Make sure to research travel visas when planning your next trip; it may save you lots of heartache and money!

• Part 1: The 4 Basic Types of Travel Visas: Everything You Need To Know (this article)
• Part 2: Tourist Visas TO other countries FROM the U.S. (general info)
• Part 2a: Tourist Visas to [Specific Country] FROM the U.S.
• Part 3: Tourist Visas FROM other countries TO the U.S.
• Part 4: U.S. Green Cards, Immigration, and How to Get Your Fiancé or Spouse into the Country
• Part 5: Student Visas and Studying Abroad
• Part 6: Working Abroad and Visa Requirements To/From the USA

What are The Different Types of Visas That Exist?

As you have seen, the visa is a travel “document” required to get both into and out of a country. These days, you simply get your passport stamped with a visa rather than getting a physical document, but sometimes you will see both.

All visas go hand in hand with your passport; you can think of your passport as your “visa holder.”

There are 2 over-arching categories of visas that apply to any country:

• Non-immigrant visas (meaning you do not become a citizen of that country)
• Immigrant visas (you do become a citizen of that country)

However, these 2 overall categories can be best discussed as 4 main sub-types of visa:

These 4 sub-types apply to every country in the world, though the requirements (or lack thereof) can vary widely, especially depending on which country you’re coming from.

Remember: Your travel may require pre-planning and approval from another government, so  before you go booking any crazy trips and after you’ve gotten your first passport (or get your old one renewed), you need to review the visa information for your destination!

This usually only takes a few minutes, but it can save you a lifetime of stress when you get closer to your trip.

In the U.S., a few examples of countries requiring a pre-approved visa include India, China, most African countries, and Russia.

There are lots of options, but you’ll likely find a tourist visa the easiest to obtain unless you’d like to stay somewhere for an extended period of time.

An immigration visa is the hardest to get, and most people will be unable to obtain this type of visa during their lifetime.

Bottom Line:   You may be tempted to just book trips and go, but when you get the travel itch, make sure to take a few minutes to research visa requirements first!

Type #1 – Tourist Visa Requirements: The Main Concern of Points Travelers

First, we’ll start with the tourist visa (also known as a visitor visa). This is probably the most important type for readers here on UpgradedPoints.com because it’s the visa that allows us to use all those awesome points we’ve obtained!

When talking about travel visas, it’s important to first understand where you are coming from , what your citizenship status is (which country you have your passport from), and where you plan on going .

For the majority of our readers, the place you’re coming from and your citizenship status will both be the U.S., but where you are going can obviously vary widely.

However, some of you may be coming from one country and traveling to another while holding citizenship in a third!

In this case, you must be careful to check travel requirements for your specific situation; otherwise, you could end up finding the wrong information and being unable to travel.

Note:  A tourist visa is a non-immigrant visa.

The good news for most of you is this: when traveling on a U.S. passport, you will not need a visa to visit 143 different countries and territories of the world.

Simply book travel to the desired country and show up on their doorstep (also known as Customs and Border Protection). They’ll probably ask you a couple of questions about your purpose of visit and your return date.

When traveling with a U.S. passport, Americans will need to apply for a tourist visa when visiting 37 countries. 10 of these countries issue e-visas where an application can be made online, while with the other 27 countries, a visit to an application center is usually required.

Visa on Arrival

43 countries require a visa on arrival. This means that once you land, you will speak with a border agent who will process a visa on-site.

For these places, it may not be as smooth and easy as visiting Canada, the Bahamas, or most European countries, where U.S. citizens can quickly walk through the customs line and obtain their stamp.

If you’re the efficient type, even this relatively simple process can go more quickly if your destination country participates in the Global Entry Program !

Bottom Line:   Americans can travel to 88% of the world with little to no up-front work (186 countries). However, there are 196 countries (not including territories), so do your research before you go to see what requirements you’ll meet at CBP!

Unfortunately, this category isn’t quite as simple. While we do have pretty good reciprocal agreements with many countries, citizens from some countries cannot simply travel to the U.S. without prior permission.

To travel to the U.S., visitors need to apply and be approved by the U.S. Department of State. Visa requirements differ per country.

You Can Complete Your Visa Application Online

Many can utilize the Electronic System for Travel Authorization , or ESTA, in order to complete their visa application online.

According to the ESTA website, there are currently 40 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows people from another country to visit the U.S. without a pre-authorized visa.

The following countries are included in this program, which allows travel for up to 90 days without obtaining any other type of visa:

Note:   foreign nationals who are also nationals of Iraq, Iran, Sudan, and Syria are not eligible for the VWP.

*Taiwan’s status as a country is still in dispute by China and other countries, but the U.S. recognizes Taiwan as an independent nation.

**UK citizens must permanently reside in the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.

In order to obtain this visa, visitors must apply for ESTA and be approved. If you are not a citizen of these countries or were not approved in ESTA, you must apply for a B-2 tourist visa .

The VWP program gives foreign nationals access to the U.S. (multiple visits) for up to 2 years.

There are a couple of additional ways to visit the U.S., including through a student visa or a work visa, which we will be discussing shortly.

Bottom Line:   Traveling to the U.S. requires some up-front work, whether that is applying in ESTA or researching how to submit a B-2 tourist visa application.

An immigration visa is one that authorizes a person to permanently reside in a country. This is closely related to the naturalization and citizenship process , though immigration does not necessarily suggest citizenship.

If you’ve heard someone mention the term “Green Card,” they were actually talking about the immigration type of visa. Green Cards do not, however, simply grant citizenship.

What a Green Card will do is allow the holder to both live and work in the U.S., as this card is the path to obtaining citizenship.

The citizenship process, also known as naturalization, is the final step in becoming a full citizen of the U.S. Green Card holders must wait five years before applying for citizenship.

Full rights to all laws (including being subject to them) are granted upon naturalization, which allows the bearer to travel as a U.S. citizen would to all other various countries.

There are multiple paths to getting an immigrant visa and several different ways in which to obtain it:

• Through family
• Through employment
• Through investment
• Through the diversity lottery
• Through refugee or asylum status
• Through “The Registry”

Type #3 –  Student Visa Requirements: Get Your Education Abroad

The “ Study Abroad ” visa! If only we all were able to do this. A student visa is obtained when you are visiting a country for the purpose of an educational experience.

While many would agree that all travel, regardless of reason, ends up being an educational experience, travel here refers to trips in which you will be attending classes or studying particular subjects.

These visas apply to exchange students of just a few weeks or those staying a year or more. Requirements vary per visa and per country…as per usual!

Note:  A student visa is also a non-immigrant visa.

For U.S. citizens wanting to study elsewhere, you have lots of options. While there is not a full list put together, you will likely have the best luck finding a place to study abroad by researching through a university.

StudyAbroadUniversities.com is a great resource to help you in this regard.

Your ability to study abroad will be limited to the laws of the country you are trying to study in. Note that almost 60% of Americans who study abroad do so in Europe or Asia, and other countries are starting to become more popular.

Each year, there are over 300,000 students that study abroad from the U.S. (approximately 1.5% of students). These figures contrast starkly with a country like Germany, where around 30% of their students study abroad.

Any foreign national studying in the U.S. will need a U.S. Student Visa, which will fall under the letters F and M.

Also included in this category are visas for academics and education professionals going abroad for particular work studies or trips.

These types of visas fall under the letter J, which might also be considered a work visa.

Over 1 million students from abroad studied in the U.S. in the 2022-2023 school year.

The fourth and final type of visa is the strictest and most difficult to obtain in any country: the work visa.

This is for a very simple reason: governments want economic activity in their country to be driven by their own citizens.

Overall, the U.S. is particularly stern on these requirements. Many different types of work visas exist, and they’re all given a not-very-aptly-named letter:

• Exchange Visitor Visa: J
• Media Visa: I
• Trade Treaty and Investor Visa: E
• NAFTA Professional Worker Visa: TN/TD

Each country wants to ensure that its own citizens have priority for the jobs available in that country. However, if you have your own business, it could possibly be easier to obtain one of these coveted visas.

Note:  Work visas can be either immigrant or non-immigrant in nature.

For U.S. citizens looking to work abroad, you’ll need to research each location’s requirements before you go.

There will be more details on work visas in our upcoming piece. Until then, you can check out more work visa requirements on the U.S. State Department website. Here, you’ll find information for foreign nationals trying to get into the U.S.  as well as Americans going abroad .

It is possible that your status changes while you’re in the country, and you may need to update your visa. This can also be a way to extend your stay in the country if you are required to leave soon.

Let’s say you’re on a temporary work visa but then decide you want to stay longer. You would likely have to apply for a non-immigrant work visa to allow you to stay in the country for a bit more time.

Alternatively, you could be working already but then begin dating someone you are going to marry. In this case, you’d get your status changed to a fiancé or spouse visa.

Perhaps you’re a student studying abroad who is offered an excellent opportunity to work because of your special skills.

You could then switch to a work visa, which would allow you to work and earn money while still continuing to study if desired. On a student visa alone, you aren’t allowed to work unless your job is on the campus at which you are studying.

When Do I Need to Worry About Getting a Visa?

Unless you are familiar with the visa requirements of the country you’re planning to visit, you should always do a quick search on whether or not a visa is required. This is much easier in the age of the internet and usually takes no more than five minutes of research .

Here’s a great site that covers every country’s visa requirements in one list (both business and personal, but does not cover study abroad for student visas (which require special approval).

In general, the easiest countries for U.S. citizens to visit include Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Caribbean countries (excluding Cuba), and most European countries.

Asia is a mixed bag, with some countries requiring prior authorization (such as India and Russia), some requiring an on-site application (such as Cambodia), and others allowing a generous and easy entry (such as Japan).

Africa, the Middle East, and South America make up the majority of locations that require U.S. citizens to obtain prior authorization on a visa.

Use the above information as a rule of thumb, and be sure to check specifics ahead of time. If you’re new to traveling, the easiest places to start are Canada, Mexico, and Europe due to their relaxed visitor agreements and low, competitive prices on flights.

Of course, some of you can even drive to Canada and Mexico on a single tank of gas! Just be sure to remember your passport ! You’ll still need it when crossing the border unless you have a NEXUS card or Passport Card, which acts as a visa itself.

Bottom Line:   To be safe, you should always research your destinations’ visa requirements. You can save lots of trouble with a few minutes of research on the internet. For more info, check out our article: Do I Need a Visa? 100+ Countries with Tourist Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens

Here is a list of very popular destinations that require pre-approval for travel from the U.S.:

• Saudi Arabia

There are more countries not listed here, but the listed ones are popular travel spots. In the upcoming series, we will release guides to getting visas for these specific countries.

There is a caveat to the “you don’t need a visa to travel to…” rule. Regardless of pre-authorized visa requirements, most countries require you to have at least six months of validity left on your passport before entering the country.

Though this may seem random, the rule exists to ensure you don’t get stuck in a country with an expired passport, which could end up a much, much worse situation than you ever want to deal with!

So, be sure to keep your passport validity up to date. Check out our guide to renewing your passport for more info.

Additionally, while many countries require a visa to be obtained prior to landing, some of these countries have special exceptions for short, transiting trips.

For instance, China now allows you to transit through for 72 hours as long as you have met certain requirements . You can look up these for any country by searching “[destination] transit visa rules” on Google for more info.

Usually, these rules depend on where you are traveling, so contacting the U.S. embassy at your destination is the best choice.

Even once you know the process, getting your visa can be stressful. If you’re the type who just doesn’t want to think about it, you can hire a business that specializes in this type of thing.

Many visa application and expediting companies exist to help you secure your visa before you travel. They can also help answer any questions and assist with preparing anything you’ll need throughout the process.

Uncertain if you can work while you’re in the other country? Will you be able to take some classes? How long can you stay?

If you don’t know the answers and don’t want to research, professional visa services can help make your trip a little more peaceful.

As discussed previously, you should try to apply for your visa online first since most places allow this. Simply do a Google search for “[destination] visa requirements for Americans,” and you’ll likely find something.

Typically, these requirements and applications are posted on the government websites of the target vacation (or other) spots.

For any country in which the U.S. doesn’t have a direct agreement, you will have to pay visa fees. This includes on-site visas and other pre-approved visa countries.

Fees can range anywhere from $20-$200 or more, and it depends on the length of the visa you purchase.

Do your research and determine what the best value is for you so you don’t pay too much in visa fees.

There is much more to say about visas, which you will learn as this series continues. For now, be sure to do your research and get authorized beforehand if necessary.

Which type of visa do you need? Probably 1 of the 4 main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.

U.S. citizens can visit 143 countries and territories without a pre-approved visa. Each of these is good for a different length of stay, although 90 days is one of the most common lengths.

Some places like India require a pre-approved visa that can take months to process, so start early!

What happens if you don’t get your pre-authorization? Well, if the airline doesn’t catch it, then you will simply be stopped while going through customs in the country you are visiting.

You will not be allowed to enter and instead will be stuck in customs to catch the next flight back out of that country.

Bottom Line: Don’t be turned away at the door. Research and get your visas before you travel!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a travel visa.

A travel visa is a document that authorizes you to travel to another country besides the one you are a citizen of.

Why do we need a travel visa?

Visas were created as a way to protect the borders of countries and keep citizens safe. As the world becomes safer, visa agreements become more common, allowing people to visit countries of the world with little up-front work.

How do you travel on a visa?

For U.S. Citizens, the process is pretty simple in most cases. You can show up in another country and enter through the Customs area. The Border Patrol agent will stamp your passport with your travel visa!

However, for some other countries and those visiting the U.S., you must submit a visa application to the State Department. This can sometimes be done online, like through the U.S. ESTA system (for non-U.S. citizen visitors).

Can you travel without a visa? When is a travel visa required?

You cannot technically travel to any other country without a visa. However, in many countries, the governments have already negotiated visas behind the scenes, allowing you to obtain a travel visa on the spot.

Americans can travel to 186 countries and territories around the world with little to no up-front work and obtain a visa upon landing!

How do you apply for a travel visa?

Visa applications can be simple in some cases and time-consuming and cumbersome in others. You can often apply for a visa to your desired country online through an electronic system.

Travelers to the U.S. can use the ESTA system, which allows them to obtain a 90-day U.S. travel visa for up to 2 years.

Other visas, however, require finding and printing forms and sending them in the mail for approval. Then, you must wait for that approval or denial, which can take weeks or even months.

You will need to research your particular situation, as there are too many to list here.

Which countries require a travel visa?

All countries require a travel visa, although the requirements differ between different countries. Depending on your citizenship and where you are traveling, you could obtain an on-site visa, or you may have to apply far ahead of time.

US Citizens can travel to 186 countries and territories without much or any up-front work, although you technically still obtain visas when you arrive.

Who issues travel visas?

Each country’s government is responsible for issuing travel visas. In the U.S., the Department of State regulates and issues travel visas.

Why would a travel visa be denied?

While denial is not common, it happens. If you have certain criminal background status or, in some cases, even heritage, you may be denied. Research reasons for denial for each country before applying.

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About Brian Graham

Brian’s first ever airplane ride was in a private turbo-prop jet. He was merely an intern boy trying to make a good impression, but it turns out the plane made an impression on him.

It wasn’t until Brian relocated to Dallas, TX, and moved in with an American Airlines employee that he truly discovered how incredible travel could be.

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For International Visitors

Get the Information you need to smoothly navigate the process and procedures if you are a visitor to the United States, coming to work, study, conduct business or to immigrate.

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Travel Videos for U.S. Citizens

• Know Before You Go  
• You've Arrived  
• How to Expedite Your Entry

• How to Apply
• Application Requirements
• China Visa Fees
• Entries /Validity /Duration
• 10-year China Visa
• Tourist (L)
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China Tourist Visa (L)

Most travelers to China are required to get a China tourist visa, L visa for short, which allows them to travel freely in most parts of China as tourists, assuming that they do not qualify under the  visa-free policies of China . Passports, application form, and documents showing the itinerary or an invitation letter from China are the essential application documents.  

In most cases, a tourist can get a single entry L visa with a stay duration of 30 days. UK, US, Canadian, Brazil and Argentine citizens are able to get a 10-year China tourist visa with multiple entries. If travelling with an organized tour group, you might not have an individual visa in your passport.  Instead, the tour group will be issued a group tour visa bearing all the members' names. In such situations supply your details to the travel agency beforehand and you will have no further concerns.

If travelling independently, you need to handle visa affairs on your own. The process is not complicated if you follow the guidelines below.  

China Tourist Visa Requirements & Documents

1. passport.

- Your passport  with at least 6 months remaining validity and available blank pages, and a photocopy of passport's data page.  

2. Application Form

- One accurately completed China Visa Application Form. Please fill in every column of the application form. If the application form is not filled out truthfully, completely and legibly, there could be a delay in processing or refusal of the application.  

3. Recent Photo

- A recent passport-size color photo with white background.  

4. Round-trip Tickets Plus Hotel Bookings or Invitation Letter from China

- Documents showing the itinerary including proof of round trip tickets booking and proof of hotel reservation. - Or, if you are being invited to China, you can submit an invitation letter issued by the inviter, whether it's an entity or individual, with following information: a. Information on the applicant, including full name, gender, and date of birth. b. Information on the planned visit, including arrival and departure dates, place(s) of visit. c. Information on the inviter, including name, contact number, address, official stamp, and signature of the legal representative of the entity or the inviting individual.  

5. Other Supporting Documents

a. For those not applying in their country of citizenship, a proof of legal stay or residence status is required. b. In some cases, applicants may need to submit a certification letter from the employer of the applicant with details as follows: name and contact number of the employer, the applicant's income statement, or original copy of recent 6-month bank statement of the applicant. c. Applicants who intend to travel to Tibet must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit , which can be obtained from Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region by travel agencies.

How to Get a Chinese Tourist Visa

After preparing all the required documents, make an appointment with Chinese embassies, consulates, or a Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC) if there are any in your country to submit the application. Generally, applicants aged 14-70 need to go in person. If you don't need to go personally, you can entrust someone else, such as a travel agency or a visa agency to act on your behalf. Applications by mails are not accepted and will be refused at most Chinese embassies, consulates or CVASCs. But the mail-back service is available in more cases.   

Processing Time

It normally takes 4 working days for processing a China travel visa. For express service, an additional fee of USD 20 will be charged for two or three working day service. For rush service, an additional fee of USD30 will be charged for same-day service.  

Chinese Tourist Visa Cost

The visa costs vary depending on your nationality and number of entries. However, according to the Visa Fee Abolition Agreement, the nationals of following several countries can get a visa for free, but must pay for express service, rush service or mail service: Pakistan, Maldives, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovakia and Micronesia. For major countries, the fee is listed below.

China Tourist Visa Extension

Recommended tour packages.

Further Reading:

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Nonimmigrant and tourist visas

Find out how to work in the U.S. or visit as a student or tourist. Learn how to renew your visa and what to do if your visa is lost.

How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa

If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.

How to check the status of your visa application

Find out how to check the status of your visa application online. And to avoid delays, learn how to update your address if you move while waiting for your visa to be approved.

What happens if your visa application is rejected

Find out what to do if your visa is denied, and learn if you are eligible for a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility.

Foreign visitors: what to do if your visa or passport is lost or stolen

If you are in the U.S. and your visa or passport was lost or stolen, learn how to report it and apply for a new one.

Get a student visa to study in the U.S.

To study in the U.S. as an international student, you must get a student visa. Learn about the types of student visas, how to apply, and if you can work while you study.

Nonimmigrant work visas

Learn about the different nonimmigrant temporary work visa categories and how to apply.

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How to apply

Additional changes to entry, testing and quarantine requirements in response to the Omicron variant

There are temporary changes for all travellers, including Canadian citizens, regardless of their vaccination status.

Additional restrictions and requirements now apply to these countries:

• Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe

News release

Changes to border measures

New border measures include

• rules for re-entering Canada, if leaving for 72 hours or less
• who is considered fully vaccinated
• rules for travelling within Canada

Starting January 15, 2022, there will be new rules for who can enter Canada as an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated traveller.

Learn more about the new measures

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application .

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

• Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
• Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Prepare documents and apply

The reason you’re traveling to Canada determines the way you apply and the documents you need to submit with your visa application.

Why are you applying for a visitor visa?

• To visit as a tourist
• To visit for business
• To visit your spouse or partner who has sponsored you for permanent residence

What is your family member’s status in Canada?

• Canadian citizen
• Person registered under Canada’s Indian Act
• Canadian permanent resident
• Temporary resident in Canada
• For compassionate reasons
• None of the above

Do you plan to visit your children or grandchildren for more than 6 months?

You may be eligible to apply for a Super Visa

A super visa lets you visit your children or grandchildren for 5 years at a time. It’s a visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years.

Find out how to apply for a Super Visa

Step 1 Gather documents

Gather these documents to submit with your visa application and bring when you travel.

About the documents listed

• Not all documents listed below are required—some are optional.
• This is not an exhaustive list of acceptable proof to support your visa application.
• Only submit the recommended documents that prove you’re eligible for a visa.
• Even if you submit all the documents listed, there is no guarantee that we’ll approve your application.
• We may request more information from you in addition to what is listed here.

Documents we accept:

• passports (regular, official or diplomatic)  from most countries (see exceptions below)
• alien’s passport for stateless persons
• US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
• US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
• other refugee travel documents for non-citizens

Documents we don’t accept:

• any passport issued by Somalia
• non-machine-readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
• temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
• provisional passports issued by Venezuela

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you’ll use to travel to Canada

If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of

• the page that shows your birth date and country of origin
• any pages with stamps, visas or markings

If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your

• date of birth
• document number
• citizenship or residency status
• expiry date (if applicable)

Submit this document with your visa application.

Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.

Submit the completed form with your visa application.

Each applicant 18 years or older must complete this form.

Submit the completed form with your visa application

Documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend or alone.

You may need to show

• a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada
• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not

Consult Minor children travelling to Canada .

Submit these with your visa application.

• Show the border services officer when you arrive in Canada.

If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.

Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.

Include a clear copy of 1 or more of the following:

• your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
• entry and exit stamps
• study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
• expired or valid visas

Submit this document with your visa application

Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada

Include copies of any of the following:

• flight details
• hotel reservations
• registration for an event

This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.

Bank name and contact This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.

Proof it is your account Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.

Account details At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.

Use this form if you want to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release your personal information to someone you choose.

The person you choose will be able to get information on your case file, such as the status of your application.

Business visitor

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada

Submit this with your visa application.

A clear copy of 1 or more of the following:

• study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside your country

Copies of any of the following:

A letter from your employer can confirm that you have a stable job and will return to it. It can also show that your employer supports your visit to Canada.

The letter should be printed on your employer’s official letterhead.

The letter should include the following:

• date, no earlier than 3 months before you apply
• confirmation that you have a job with the employer
• your full name and date of birth
• date you started the job
• brief description of your job
• current salary
• contact information of your manager
• phone number
• email address
• employer information
• company name
• state or province
• Your manager or human resources contact should print their name and sign the letter.

A letter from a business or company in Canada

It can confirm that your purpose for visiting Canada is valid.

A copy of the letter from the business or company inviting you to Canada

• The letter must be written to you from the business or company.

Consult the details to include in the letter .

Visit your spouse or partner who sponsored you for permanent residence

Proof of your relationship with the person or family member inviting you to Canada

This can include a copy of

• a marriage certificate
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM5409)
• a birth certificate
• an official document naming you as a parent

Each applicant 18 years and older must complete this form.

The documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.

• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on whether the minor child travels alone

Consult Minor children travelling to Canada

A letter written by your family member in Canada

A copy of the letter from the family member inviting you to Canada

• The letter must be written to you from your family member.
• current Salary

Complete the form that declares you and your partner are in a common-law relationship. Also provide proof that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and set up a household together.

What is a common-law partner?

Proof can include

• joint bank accounts or credit cards
• joint ownership of a home
• joint residential leases
• joint rental receipts
• joint utilities (electricity, gas, telephone)
• joint management of household expenses
• proof of joint purchases, especially for household items
• mail addressed to either person or both people at the same address

Faster visitor visa processing for spousal applicants

If you’re being sponsored for permanent residence (PR) by your spouse or partner, you could benefit from faster processing for a visitor visa.

You may be eligible if you

• submitted an application to be sponsored for permanent residence
• received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) that confirms the application is in progress

Applications that need more information, for example custody documents for a child, will take longer to process.

When your sponsor receives the AOR for your permanent residence application, you can apply for a visitor visa. If you’re eligible, your visitor visa application will automatically receive faster processing. You don’t need to request it.

You must still meet all of the requirements to be eligible for a visitor visa .

Visit family (Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act, or permanent resident of Canada)

Submit with visa application

Visit children or grandchildren Super visa option

Submit this with your visa or super visa application.

For super visa applicants only

Proof that medical insurance for at least $100,000 coverage has been purchased from a Canadian insurance company.

A copy of the insurance certificate or policy you received for medical insurance coverage for 1 year with a Canadian insurance company.

Submit this with your super visa application.

Documents that show that the super visa applicant’s child or grandchild meets the low income cut-off minimum.

Submit one of the following documents:

• If the child or grandchild does not have a paper copy of their notice of assessment on file, they can view and print their tax returns as well as other personal tax information using the Canada Revenue Agency My Account online service.
• a copy of the child’s or grandchild’s most recent T4 or T1
• an original letter from the child’s or grandchild’s employer stating their job title, job description and salary
• a letter from an accountant confirming the child’s or grandchild’s annual income, if they are self-employed.
• proof of other sources of income (pension statement, investments, etc.)

A document confirming that you had an  immigration medical exam (IME)

The exam must conducted by a panel physician authorized by IRCC.

Get complete details about how to get a medical exam with a panel physician.

Submit this with your super visa application, or wait for instructions from the visa office.

Visit family (temporary resident of Canada)

A letter written by your family in Canada

Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do once in Canada

Visit for compassionate reasons

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.

• Show the border services officer when you arrive in Canada

A letter written to you from a person or business inviting you to Canada

A copy of the letter from the person or business inviting you to Canada

• registration for an event.

Step 2 Apply through the IRCC Portal

Step 2 apply.

To apply for a visitor visa to visit Canada on business, you need to qualify as a business visitor.

To qualify, you must show that:

• you plan to stay for less than 6 months
• you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market
• your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada

Business visitor activities include business meetings, special events or training for a few days or weeks.

If your meeting, event or conference is registered with us, include the event code in your application. You should get this code from the organizer.

Note: If you plan to stay for more than 6 months, or if you plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to  apply for a work permit .

To apply online, you need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card.

Read the instruction guide before you complete your application. As an online applicant, you can ignore steps 3 and 4 of the guide (paying the fees and submitting your application).

If you’re applying for the first time , you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays.

Apply through the IRCC Secure account

Sign in to your IRCC secure account

Apply through the IRCC Portal

Only for tourists, visiting for business, family visits, compassionate reasons

Sign in to the IRCC portal

Applying on paper for specific situations

If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, you must apply online for one. Only online applications will be accepted and processed. However, you can apply on paper if:

• you can’t apply online because of a disability or
• you’re travelling with an identity or travel document that was issued to a refugee, a stateless person or a non-citizen

The application package includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out.

Read the guide carefully before you complete your application . We will not refund your application fee, so make sure you need a visitor visa before you apply.

Each individual applicant must submit a completed application form. Applicants under the age of 18 must have this form signed by a parent or a guardian.

Download the application package .

Pay your application fees

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.

If you’re applying for the first time, you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays.

Third-party fees

Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for

• your medical exam
• a police certificate

Our instruction guides (opens in a new tab) can help you understand which fees apply to you.

Submit your application

Families should send their individual applications in one package. The principal applicant must send this combined package to the location where their application will be processed.

Select the country/territory you’ll be applying from to find out where to submit your application. You can choose your country of nationality or the country or territory where you have been legally admitted:

• Afghanistan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• China (People’s Republic of)
• Comoros Island
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Czech Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Hong Kong SAR
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia (Federated States of)
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• North Korea
• North Macedonia (Republic of)
• Palestinian Authority (Gaza)
• Palestinian Authority (West Bank)
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Switzerland
• Timor-Leste (Timor oriental)
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• US Virgin Islands

If you need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photograph), and you’re applying on paper, submit your application in person . VAC staff will check that it is complete and will confirm that you have paid the correct fees before you can give your biometrics.

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept the following credit cards and prepaid cards:

• MasterCard ®
• American Express ®
• UnionPay ® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards .

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.

The card you use doesn’t have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

• be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC ® Online
• be registered for online banking through your bank’s website

We also accept all Debit MasterCard ® and Visa ® Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC ® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

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• Visas and immigration
• Visit the UK

Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor

Apply for a standard visitor visa.

If you need a Standard Visitor visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

You must meet the eligibility requirements and only do permitted activities .

Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK. You can check if you need a visa before you apply.

You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, or if you visit the UK regularly you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

Apply online

Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.

If you’re applying with family members, each person must have their own application and pay the fee. They need to attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.

You can apply on behalf of your partner and child, if they cannot apply for themselves.

Your application will not be accepted and you will not get a refund if you have the right of abode in the UK (for example you’re a British citizen). You need to apply for a certificate of entitlement instead.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. 

Find out how to sign in to your account .

Long-term Standard Visitor visas

You can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This visa lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.

If you’re under 18 years old when you apply , your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18. You cannot get a refund on the fee.

You may be given a shorter visa than requested if UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) believe you cannot meet the eligibility requirements for the duration of the visa you applied for.

You will not get a refund of the application fee if you get a shorter visa or if your application is refused.

Your visa may be cancelled if your travel history shows you are repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.

Documents and information you’ll need to apply

You must have a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. There must be a blank page in your passport for your Standard Visitor visa.

You’ll need to provide the following information in your online application:

• the dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
• where you’ll be staying during your visit
• how much you think your trip will cost
• your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
• your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
• how much you earn in a year (if you have an income)
• details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed

Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:

• details of your travel history for the past 10 years
• your employer’s address and telephone number
• your partner’s name, date of birth and passport number
• the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
• the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK
• a certificate proving that you’ve had a tuberculosis ( TB ) test if you’re visiting for more than 6 months

You need to provide additional documents if you’re visiting the UK:

• as an academic
• for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’
• for medical reasons

You must provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Proving your identity and providing your documents

As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.

At your appointment, you’ll need to:

• prove your identity with your passport or travel document
• have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken
• provide the required documents that show you’re eligible for a Standard Visitor visa

The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You can check to see if you can get your visa decision faster .

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

If you need to change or cancel your application

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it, contact UKVI .

You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.

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How To Apply For China's Tourist Visa: Easy Step-By-Step Guide

I had never been as frustrated with travel planning as when I was applying for my 10-year tourist visa to China this year.

I didn’t blame the fact that China required a visa, I blamed the confusing process of how to apply. The lack of a step-by-step guide for people in the USA mixed with the confusing lawyer-like language used in the China Embassy’s official documents = pure confusion on what to do.

After scouring the web to piece together the full process, I finally set out to apply for the 10-year tourist visa. In less than a week of applying online , I picked up my visa and was good to travel for the next 10 years!

Looking back on it, I’m glad I got it over with early on in my travel planning process. I would’ve hated to have to deal with all of this 1-2 weeks before my trip!

For reference, I applied for the 10-year tourist visa in April, but my trip wasn’t until November.

Once you figure out HOW to apply and actually submit your application, it’s really not too bad. Especially since I’ve created this easy-to-understand guide to walk you through all the steps you need to apply for your very own China tourist visa.

NOTE: This guide is for US citizens applying for the tourist visa (L) within the USA. I don’t have experience with any other countries/nationalities, thanks!

Before Applying For The China Tourist Visa: Things You Need To Know

• The first and most important thing I need to mention: there is no way of applying for a China visa completely online . You will need to physically provide your passport to a visa office at some point. There’s no way around this, and that’s because they need to stick your new China visa onto one of the pages in your passport.
• You must start by completing a visa application form to apply for a China visa. This can be done online or on paper.
• You’ll then need to submit your visa application form + supporting documents to a China Visa Application Service Center (this is a physical place). These are going to be at a Chinese embassy or consulate somewhere in the USA. There are multiple locations.
• You can’t just choose any location you feel like. You have to go to the one that services your state/area. More on this later.
• a recently-taken color photo behind a white wall (can be uploaded digitally if filling out the application online, or a physical photo if applying on paper application)
• a valid passport
• printed out visa application + confirmation letter
• other supporting documents (more on this later)
• You’ll need to visit the visa office twice: first to submit your application, then again in 3-4 days to pick up your passport (with your brand new China visa inside).
• You can apply in person for yourself, have someone else turn in the forms for you / pick up your visa for you, or pay a travel agency to do it all for you.
• That’s the general overview of the process. Let’s dive into the details a bit more.

Step 1: Find a consulate location that services your area.

The first thing you’ll want to do is locate which Consulate General location you’ll have to go to in order to apply for (and pick up) your visa. You can use this link to see all the current locations.

You CANNOT pick one randomly, you can only go to the one that services your area.

So how do you know which consulate you have to go to? Locate where you live on this list or this list . Your state/region will be listed under one of the consulates. That’s the one you’ll need to go to.

For example, I live in Northern California, so I had to go to the Consulate General in San Francisco . If you live in Utah, your assigned location is the Embassy in Washington DC.

Also, note that the area formerly serviced by the Houston consulate is temporarily being serviced by the Embassy in the United States (DC location) as the one in Houston closed down.

Step 2: Fill out the COVA application

Start your online application . Go to the China Online Visa Application (COVA) and fill out the application using your information.

You’ll be asked all kinds of questions: personal information, the type of visa you’re applying for, how long you want it for, names of family members (parents), work history, emergency contact info, where you’re going to be traveling to in China and on what dates, where you’ve traveled to in the last 12 months, etc.

I would allot 30 minutes of your time to fill out the whole application. It felt like forever when I was applying, but I think it took me about 30 minutes. You can always save your progress if you need to look up information and revisit the application process at a later time.

Just be sure to note your application ID so you can pull it up later.

I’ll give you some pointers on how I filled out my application because some questions were quite confusing.

• One of the first things you need to do is upload your passport photo. I took a selfie against a wall and used Lightroom to turn my gray background white. The system accepted the photo. (Background must be white!)
• For Given name(s), it should include your first name followed by any middle name(s). It needs to match the name on the passport.
• For National ID number, I applied with N/A
• For Type of Visa, I selected (L) Tourism. Here are the rest of the visa types for reference.
• For Visa Duration, I entered 120 months with a maximum stay of 60 days. I also chose “multiple” for the number of entries.
• For Itinerary information, I ballparked my travel dates from city to city (Hong Kong – Xi’An – Chengdu – Chongqing) as I had not yet booked my flights, but I gave the best estimate I could based on where we were in the trip planning process.
• Since they are no longer requiring flight confirmations and hotel confirmations, the trip itinerary section doesn’t need to be very detailed. Addresses of hotels didn’t seem to even be required fields (I filled out half of them for the ones we had already booked).
• For Work Experience info, I did the best I could but it’s okay not to be exact. For example, I included my previous employer’s general phone number instead of my supervisor’s number. You can also provide a quick description of your job duties (my example: “blogger/travel writer”). No need to go into detail.

Normally visa applications take 3-4 days to process, but you can specify in this application to expedite it (2-3 days).

I chose not to expedite my application. I applied on a Monday and received a pick-up date of Thursday .

How quickly do you need the visa?

• If you live in the area and can get to the visa office pretty easily, no need to expedite.
• If you’re traveling from out-of-state to apply, you’ll probably want to expedite to save on an extra night’s worth of hotel costs.
• If your trip’s departure is like next week, you’ll probably want to expedite to be on the safe side!

Should you apply for a 3-month visa or a 10-year visa? The visa process is the same regardless if you apply for 3 months or 10 years. Moreover, it’s currently the same price!

My entire family and I went for the 10-year option as we knew we’d be visiting China a lot once my parents retired!

Step 3: Print out/gather all your documents.

Once you finish filling out the application, you’ll get a confirmation letter that looks like it’s got QR codes on it. You’ll have to print this out along with a few other things to bring to the visa office.

Here’s the full list that was required of me when I was applying (April 2024). Be sure to check for the latest requirements !!!

• Confirmation letter – you need to print and sign this
• Completed visa application – you need to print and sign this (on the last page)
• Your physical passport
• Photocopy of your passport’s bio page (the page that shows the photo and the document number)
• Proof of residence documentation (a photocopy of your ID, bank statement, utility bill, etc.)
• I did single-sided printing and printed pages in color just in case.
• When you print the visa application, make sure to include the confirmation page as the first page.
• I did not bring a physical copy of my photo since I had uploaded it along with my online application. This was not asked for at the visa center either.

Step 4: Show up at the visa center.

At the time of writing, you can’t make appointments online. They are taking walk-ins only.

When you are looking for the address of where to go, look for the consulate’s Visa Application Office , not the general Embassy address.

For example, I GPS’ed to the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco . Once I got to the door (on Laguna St.), I saw a sign letting visa application visitors know that the Visa Application Office was on the street perpendicular to where I was (Geary Blvd.).

Depending on the time you visit, be prepared to wait.

I showed up at 9:15am on a Monday (15 minutes before they opened) and there were at least 70 people in line in front of me. Despite the crazy-sounding line, it didn’t take as long as I had anticipated! I was out of there by 10:55am.

PRO TIP: For the SF location, show up near closing time as opposed to first thing in the morning. I asked the security guard when the best time to visit was for the shortest lines, and he told me “at the end of the day, right before we close”.

This may vary by location, so take that tip with a grain of salt! But when I went to pick up my visa 3 days later, I showed up at 1:50pm (the visa office closed at 2:30pm) — and he was right — no lines! There must have been 10 people in the entire office compared to my initial visit where there were 100+ people waiting at the same time.

Once you’re there, hand all of your documents to the visa processer. He/she will look your application over (rather quickly) and make sure you have all the necessary docs. They will then take all of your documents (including your passport) for processing/approval.

If all looks good, you’ll get a slip of paper (pick-up slip) telling you exactly what date to come back to pick up your passport. You can come anytime on that date. Again, no appointment is needed.

My experience: For proof of residence, I had actually just brought my physical driver’s license instead of making a photocopy of it. The lady told me I had to go to make a photocopy of it, then go back to her window once I was done with that.

Luckily, the office had a set of photocopiers (costs $0.25 per page) as well as passport photobooths (for people who forget to bring photos for their applications). Bring quarters or some dollar bills in case you need to use the copy machine.

Step 5: Pick up your passport.

After a few days, it’s time to go back to pick up your passport. When you go to pick up your passport, you will pay for the visa at this time.

There’s a separate line that moves much faster for passport pick-ups. For my pick-up, I was in and out of the visa office in under 10 minutes.

Since a lot of people applying for China visas are from out of state, they often worry about how long it takes to pick up their passports.

Again, in general, your passport will be ready in 2-4 days, depending on if you choose expedited service.

Also, you don’t even need to be the one showing up at the visa office! Per the Los Angeles consulate site , “visa applications may be submitted in person by the applicant or someone else with the passport and all supporting documents”.

Once you flip through your passport booklet, you’ll find a brand-new visa glued to one of your passport pages. Viola ! You are ready to go to China!

Lastly, stay updated with the latest info!

The latest info/updates will always be on the China Visa Applications website . I know, it’s hard to read because of how outdated and simple the site looks, but there’s always useful info on there.

Like when I was applying, I was able to see that they had recently reduced the visa fee to $140, regardless of how long the visa’s duration is. And that at the end of 2023, they had actually simplified the visa application to not require flight confirmations, proof of hotel reservation, or invitation letters.

Meanwhile, all the other outdated websites and blog posts out there mentioned needing an invitation letter.

To be clear, as of April 2024 (when I wrote this), invitation letters are NOT required.

Always refer to the China Visa Applications website for the latest info!

Hope this step-by-step guide to applying for the China tourist visa was helpful. You can message me if you have any additional questions about applying for a tourist visa as a US citizen.

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New Schengen Visa Rules for Indian Visitors: Key Questions Answered 

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

April 23rd, 2024 at 5:39 AM EDT

Destinations value Indian travelers, but lengthy visa processing times lasting months act as significant deterrents. The adoption of these new regulations by European authorities reflects a proactive effort to tackle these concerns, aiming to boost tourism flow.

Peden Doma Bhutia

The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas in India. This regime looks to offer longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, based on the applicant’s travel history.

Indian travel agents had been complaining of Schengen visa delays as a major challenge to the summer travel rush from India.

• How does one qualify for the longer duration visas?

The European Commission can issue a two-year multiple-entry visa after a traveler “has obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years.” This demonstrates a positive travel history and compliance with previous visa regulations.

Subsequently, after granting the two-year visa, authorities may issue a five-year visa if the passport has has adequate validity remaining.

• What benefits do holders of these extended visas enjoy?

During the validity period of these visas, holders can enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals within the Schengen area, allowing for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

• Which countries are part of the Schengen area?

The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, including 25 European Union member states: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. Additionally, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are also part of the Schengen area.

• Are there any restrictions or conditions to these visas?

Schengen visas do not grant the right to work within the Schengen area and are for short stays only. Additionally, the visas are not purpose-bound, providing flexibility for travel within the specified period.

Industry Take

Skift also spoke to players in the Indian outbound travel industry to understand what has changed in the new Schengen visa rules.

• How is this different from the earlier visas that Schengen countries offered? Don’t they already offer multi-entry visas with longer duration to Indians?

Mahendra Vakharia, managing director of Pathfinders Holidays, said there was no standard policy of Schengen states for issuing these long-term visas earlier. Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Italy and Spain usually issued long-term visa, but it was all subjective. “With this new policy it should be a standard rule now,” Vakharia said.

• Travelers mainly complain of longer processing times, has that changed?

Here too, there is no standard processing time as it varies from country to country, according to Vakharia. “France and Spain have been processing visas within four days, and then there’s Croatia, which takes 60 days,” he said.

Processing time will not change as of now, it will take time for the visa rules to be enforced, said an industry source, while highlighting that the visa would be especially useful for corporate travelers.

What Promoted The Move?

Speaking on the possible motivations, Vakharia acknowledged various reasons, including administrative capacity constraints at embassies to cater to the huge inflow of applications.

“As there is an overwhelming demand from Indian travelers, the process of securing visa appointments has posed significant challenges , especially for travelers residing in cities lacking VFS Global centers,” he said.

The European Commission said in an statement that the decision reflects the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, aimed at fostering comprehensive cooperation on migration policy. Facilitating people-to-people contacts is a key aspect of this agenda, acknowledging India’s importance as an EU partner.

The decision also reflects a realization of the strong economic benefits derived through the spending power of Indian tourists. As Vakharia aptly puts it, “Why let go of the Golden Indian Goodie Bag?”

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Tags: asia monthly , europe , european commission , European summer travel , european union , india , india outbound , schengen , visa , visas

Photo credit: Park Guell in Spain. Unlike many Schengen countries, Spain has been processing visas within four days for Indian travelers. Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz / Pexels

The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

Sri lanka launches new e-visa system: everything you need to know.

Sri Lanka launched an e-visa system, streamlining the visa application process for travellers. The initiative offers updated requirements, fees, and validity periods, enhancing efficiency and convenience for various nationalities visiting for tourism, business, or transit.

• Police Clearance report.
• If the applicant has stayed in another country for more than 6 months, a Police clearance from that country and a copy of the Visa.
• Certificate from a Sri Lankan guarantor & a photocopy of the guarantor's NIC.
• Affidavit from a Sri Lankan JP (Justice of Peace) or a Lawyer.
• Accommodation information (Place of stay).
• Visit the official website of Sri Lanka eVisa.
• Create an account or log in if you already have one.
• Fill out the online application form with accurate details.
• Upload the required documents, including a scanned copy of your passport, a recent photograph, and any additional documents specified for your eVisa category.
• Pay the eVisa fee securely online using the available payment options.
• Once your application is submitted and payment is confirmed, you will receive an acknowledgment receipt and a unique application reference number.
• Track the status of your eVisa application online using your reference number.
• Upon approval, download and print your eVisa to present to the Immigration officer at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.
• A printed copy of your eVisa approval letter issued by the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration.
• Your passport with a validity of at least six months from the date of entry into Sri Lanka.
• A return ticket or proof of onward travel from Sri Lanka.

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Thailand Proposes Schengen-Style Visa to Boost Southeast Asia Tourism

Thailand has spearheaded the proposal for a visa system similar to Schengen to transform travel throughout Southeast Asian countries.

Faith Katunga • Apr 25, 2024

Those dreaming of a more in-depth exploration of Southeast Asia may soon be able to realize their dreams. Thailand has spearheaded the proposal for a visa system similar to Schengen to transform travel throughout Southeast Asian countries. The goal is to boost tourism and economic growth in the area. This initiative, led by Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, seeks to simplify the travel process for tourists. Travelers will be able to roam freely across Thailand , Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar with a single visa.

According to recent reports, the proposed visa scheme could significantly increase tourism, making these countries more accessible from Thailand. In 2023, the six nations collectively attracted approximately 70 million tourists, with Thailand and Malaysia hosting the majority. The plan is a clever way to tap into the tourism industry, which is responsible for over 20% of Thailand’s employment and 12% of the country’s GDP. It is also a reaction to the struggling industrial sector and falling exports.

The Vision Behind the Schengen-style Visa System

The concept of a Southeast Asian Schengen-style visa system is rooted in the desire to attract high-spending tourists from distant countries. The scheme encourages longer stays and increased spending by facilitating easier access across multiple nations, thereby expanding the region’s tourism revenues. 

The envisioned visa system would likely adopt a 90-day visa policy, extending the current stay limits and offering tourists an opportunity to explore each country more thoroughly. This approach contrasts with the current varying visa policies among these nations, which range from 30-day exemptions to 90-day visa-free stays depending on the country and the traveler’s nationality.

Recent Developments and International Visa Agreements

Thailand has already made significant strides in enhancing its international visa agreements. Thai authorities announced plans to eliminate visa requirements with Australia to bolster tourism and strengthen trade deals between the two countries. Additionally, a mutual, permanent visa-free entry system with China was introduced in March, which led to a surge in travel bookings from both nations. 

Still, despite the promising outlook, implementing a regional Schengen-style visa system presents challenges, particularly considering bilateral agreements and political complexities within Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the success of this initiative hinges on the seamless integration of visa policies and cooperation among the participating countries.

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Explained: How New Schengen Visa Rules Ease Europe Travel For Indians

The schengen area comprises 25 countries out of the 27 eu countries except the republic of ireland and cyprus..

A Schengen visa permits a brief stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day timeframe.

The European Union (EU) recently introduced a revamped visa system tailored specifically for Indian nationals. This new system offers substantial advantages to Indian citizens, allowing them access to long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, which can significantly streamline travel plans and enhance the overall experience for those venturing into the Schengen area.

What Is Schengen Visa

The Schengen area comprises 25 countries out of the 27 EU countries except the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus. It includes countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This extensive area not only offers diverse cultural experiences but also facilitates seamless travel across borders for visa holders.

A Schengen visa permits a brief stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day timeframe. This visa may be issued as either a single-entry, enabling one entry into the Schengen area, or a multiple-entry, allowing multiple visits for the duration of its validity.

How The New Rules Affect Indians

Under the new regulations, Indian travellers can now obtain a two-year Schengen visa, a marked improvement from the shorter validity periods previously available. To qualify for this extended two-year visa, applicants must have acquired and appropriately utilised two Schengen visas within the preceding three years. Upon successful utilisation of the two-year visa, travellers can typically expect to be eligible for a five-year Schengen visa, provided their passport maintains sufficient validity.

The new rules essentially say that Indian travellers can move freely within the Schengen member countries for short stays, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period, without the need for additional permits or authorisations. Under this system, eligible travellers with a proven track record of travel will have simplified access to visas with extended validity, provided their passport's validity permits.

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The 'Cascade' system, as it's termed, is designed to reward frequent travellers with progressively longer visa durations. It begins with a two-year visa, and upon successful use, travellers can potentially qualify for a five-year visa. While these visas do not restrict the purpose of travel, they do not allow the right to work within the Schengen area.

The decision to tweak the rules comes in the broader context of improving relations between the EU and India

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Testimony of Stephen A. “Tony” Edson on U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, House Committee on Science and Technology

Update: Biometric Changes for Re-entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents

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Latvia, Estonia Sign Deals with US on Visa-Free Travel

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USCIS Announces Interim Rule on H-1B Visas

USCIS Releases Preliminary Number of FY 2009 H-1B Cap Filings

USCIS Extends Comment Period for Proposed Change to H-2A Program

USCIS Runs Random Selection Process for H-1B Petitions

17-Month Extension of Optional Practical Training for Certain Highly Skilled Foreign Students

DHS Begins Collecting 10 Fingerprints from International Visitors at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption Enters into Force

USCIS to Accept H-1B Petitions Sent to California or Vermont Service Centers Temporary Accommodation Made for FY 09 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions

USCIS Revises Filing Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative

USCIS Announces Update for Processing Petitions for Nonimmigrant Victims of Criminal Activity

USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status

Immigration Tops Agenda at North American Summit

USCIS Issues Guidance for Approved Violence against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petitioners

USCIS Modifies Application for Employment Authorization Previous Versions of Form I-765 Accepted until July 8, 2008

Overseas Education More Attainable for Chinese Students

New York Business Group Seeks Fewer Restrictions on Foreign Worker Visas

Use only Internet Explorer 11 or higher, Firefox, or Google Chrome 58 when completing your application.  Safari and Microsoft Edge are not supported.

The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the United States, and for K (fiancé(e)) visas. Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

Visa applicants must submit a completed DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for all nonimmigrant visa categories, including applicants applying for K visas. ( Note:   For K visa cases in process at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to October 7, 2013, review the limited exceptions explained in the FAQs below.) 

Review the Frequently Asked Questions for instructions about using the DS-160.

Access the online DS-160 by clicking: Consular Electronic Application Center website .

Important Notice to Visa Applicants: After you have completed the DS-160, you must take these next steps below:

• Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. (You will not need to print the full application.)
• You must schedule a visa interview appointment.  (The U.S. Embassy or Consulate does not schedule an appointment for you.) Visit the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  website where you will be interviewed for country-specific instructions.;
• Pay the visa application processing fee . Review country-specific instructions on the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  website.

More Information

A-Z Index Latest News What is a U.S. Visa? Diversity Visa Program Visa Waiver Program Fraud Warning Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Straight Facts on U.S. Visas

Immigrant Visa Interview-Ready Backlog Report

Global Visa Wait Times

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Visa results beat estimates on resilient consumer spending

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Reporting by Manya Saini and Pritam Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar

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Thomson Reuters

Manya Saini reports on prominent publicly listed U.S. financial firms including Wall Street’s biggest banks, card companies, asset managers and fintechs. Also covers late-stage venture capital funding, initial public offerings on U.S. exchanges alongside news and regulatory developments in the cryptocurrency industry. Her work usually appears in the finance, markets, business and future of money sections of the website.

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Japan's yen hits new 34-year low; US dollar rises after inflation data

The dollar soared to a fresh 34-year high against the yen on Friday, bolstered in part by U.S. inflation data that showed no signs of easing, coming in line with expectations and affirming expectations the Federal Reserve will likely delay cutting interest rates to later this year.