Overview
The US does not offer a tourist e-visa — instead, most short-term visitors need a B1/B2 visa (business/tourism), applied for through Form DS-160 on the Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). You complete the form yourself, pay the fee, schedule your own biometrics and interview appointments at your local US embassy or consulate, and attend the interview in person. This process was built for individual applicants — a visa agent or lawyer isn't required, though some people choose to use one for complex cases (e.g. prior refusals, unusual travel history).
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries (much of Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia and others) generally don't need this visa at all for short tourism/business trips — they instead apply for an ESTA authorization, a separate and much simpler online form.
Visa categories under this route
| B-1 | Business visitors: meetings, negotiations, conferences, consultations. |
|---|---|
| B-2 | Tourism, vacation, visiting family and friends, medical treatment. |
| B-1/B-2 combined | Most applicants are issued this combined visa covering both purposes. |
Documents checklist
- Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay)
- DS-160 confirmation page with barcode, printed or saved
- Visa fee payment receipt
- Appointment confirmation letter (biometrics + interview)
- One digital photo meeting Department of State specs (uploaded within DS-160)
- Evidence of ties to your home country (employment letter, property, family) — brought to interview
- Financial evidence for your trip (bank statements, pay slips) — brought to interview
- Old passports containing any previous US visas, if applicable
Photo requirements
| Print size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), square |
|---|---|
| Digital upload (DS-160) | Square JPEG, 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels, max 240 KB, sRGB color |
| Head size | 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head — roughly 50–69% of the image height |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows |
| Expression | Neutral or natural smile, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not permitted (banned since November 2016) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Step-by-step application process
1. Complete Form DS-160
Fill in the online nonimmigrant visa application at the CEAC site. It takes most people around 90 minutes; save your application ID as you go.
2. Upload your photo
Upload a compliant digital photo directly within the DS-160 form.
3. Pay the visa fee
Pay the non-refundable MRV application fee (plus any Visa Integrity Fee where applicable) through your country's designated payment channel.
4. Create a profile and schedule appointments
Book a biometrics appointment at an Application Collection Centre and an interview appointment at the embassy/consulate.
5. Attend biometrics
Fingerprints and a photo are taken; no questions about travel purpose are asked here.
6. Attend your interview
Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter and supporting documents. A consular officer decides on the spot in most cases.
Fees & processing time
| Application fee | Non-refundable MRV fee, set by the Department of State (check the current amount on the official fee schedule for your country) |
|---|---|
| Processing time | Varies widely by embassy/consulate — wait times for interview appointments are the main variable, not form processing |
| Validity | Often issued for up to 10 years for eligible nationalities, with each visit capped at a shorter stay set by the immigration officer at entry |
Frequently asked questions
Is DS-160 the only form I need?
Most B1/B2 applicants only need DS-160. A small number of visa categories require an additional form, but visitor visas generally don't.
Can someone else fill out my DS-160 for me?
Others can help you prepare it, but you must sign and submit the form electronically yourself, and you're responsible for the accuracy of every answer.
Do I need to bring a printed photo to the interview?
For most nonimmigrant visa categories, the digital photo uploaded in DS-160 is what the consulate uses — check your specific embassy's instructions, since a small number still ask for a printed copy.
Sources reviewed: travel.state.gov (Department of State), ceac.state.gov, official Photo Requirements page. Fee amounts and interview wait times change — always confirm on the official Department of State site before applying.