Things to Consider for the US Tourist (B2) Visa
An American tourist visa is a travel permit that citizens of countries subject to a visa in accordance with the visa regime of the United States of America must obtain for touristic activities such as vacations, tours, and honeymoons in the United States.
The US tourist visa, with the visa code B2, is one of the temporary visitor visa (B) types. The US tourist visa is issued as a multiple entry and has a validity period of 10 years, but a maximum of 6 months can be spent in the US territory with a single entry.
The main points you need to know about the US tourist visa and the points you should pay attention to during the application process are shared under the following headings.
US Tourist Visa Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible for a tourist visa, your visit to the United States must be temporary, you must have sufficient financial means to travel to the country and cover your living expenses, and you must be able to prove this and show that you intend to return to your country at the end of your trip, with evidence of family ties or property or employment in the country.
How to Get a US Tourist Visa?
The application steps to be followed to obtain a US tourist visa are given below.
- Complete the online US visa application form DS-160.
- Make an interview appointment with the US foreign mission visa unit.
- Prepare the basic documents and supporting documents required for the tourist visa.
- On your appointment date, go to the visa interview to submit your documents and have your fingerprints recorded.
At the end of the US tourist visa interview, the visa officer will inform you of the application result. For approved applications, the passport can be collected from the relevant PTT center within an average of 7-10 business days, depending on the workload of the consulate.
US Tourist Visa Application Form (DS-160)
To apply for a tourist visa to the USA, you must first fill out the online DS-160 form at ceac.state.gov. In the travel information section of the online form, the purpose of travel should be marked as “Temp. Business Pleasure Visitor (B)” and “Tourism/Medical Treatment (B2)”, respectively, and then complete information such as the dates of the USA trip, place(s) to be accommodated, and how expenses will be covered must be provided.
After filling out the form, the applicant’s digital biometric photograph must be uploaded to the system and a printout of the barcoded form approval page must be taken.
The DS-160 form image for the US tourist visa application is given below.
Appointment Process for US Tourist Visa
An appointment for a tourist visa in the USA can be made through the visa department of the US Embassy in Ankara or the US Consulate General in Istanbul. To make an appointment, an account must be created via usvisa-info.com and the appointment process must be completed by following the relevant steps in order. All applicants between the ages of 14-79 must make an appointment for a visa and attend an interview.
Documents Required for a US Tourist Visa
For all US tourist visa applications, you must submit the basic documents listed below.
- Printout of the DS-160 form confirmation page
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- Current biometric photo
- Printout of appointment confirmation page
- Supporting application documents*
- Old passport and US visa if available
- Turkish ID card
* In tourist visa applications, supporting documents must be submitted to prove the applicant’s financial situation, the purpose of travel to the United States, and ties to their country. The list of supporting documents that can be declared can be accessed by making the relevant selections on the Documents Required for the United States Visa page.
B2 Visa Interview and Biometrics Procedures
On the appointment date for the B2 visa interview, you must personally go to the US foreign mission, submit the prepared visa documents and provide a digital fingerprint record. At the appointment, the consular officer will conduct an interview to determine whether the applicant meets the visa requirements. If additional documents and administrative review are deemed necessary, the applicant will be notified at this stage.
After the US tourist visa interview, application tracking can be done via https://ceac.state.gov/.
How Much Does a US Tourist Visa Cost?
The visa application fee for 2024 is $185. The application fee is paid during the online appointment process. This amount increases if sworn translation, travel health insurance and consultancy services are purchased during the visa application.
How Many Days Does It Take to Complete a USA B2 Visa Application?
The processing time for US tourist visa applications varies depending on the workload of the foreign missions where the application is made. In certain periods, applications may be processed within a few weeks or extended to a few months.
Apart from the application processing time, the waiting times for a visa appointment are published weekly on the US Department of State Consular Affairs website. As of July 2024, the waiting time for a tourist visa appointment at the US Embassy in Ankara is 180 days, and at the Consulate General in Istanbul it is 250 days.
You can check the current appointment waiting times for the US tourist visa here .
How Long Can You Stay in the USA with a Tourist Visa?
A tourist visa allows you to stay in the United States for a maximum of 6 months. This period is determined by the border passport officer at the point of entry into the country, and the person is given an electronic I-94 card with the last authorized date of stay.
The image of the I-94 card is as follows.
Can a Tourist Visa in the USA Be Extended?
Yes, the period of stay on your I-94 card can be extended by applying to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services within 42 days before the end of the period of stay.
You can apply for a US visa extension by preparing the I-539 form and other necessary documents .
What are the rights granted to a US Tourist Visa Holder?
American holiday visa holders have the right to; touristic trips, receive treatment, participate in social activities, participate in music or sports events and competitions (without charge), visit friends or family members and participate in short-term courses during their stay in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions to our center about US tourist visa applications are answered below.
Can I Work in the USA with a Tourist Visa?
You cannot work in the United States on a tourist visa. Visitor visa (B2) holders are not allowed to employ or work in the United States.
Is it possible to convert a US tourist visa to a work visa?
Yes, it is possible to change your tourist visa status to a US temporary work visa status if certain conditions are met. If you enter the US with a tourist visa and find a job there, you can change your visa status before your authorized stay expires.
If a temporary work visa type is to be transferred to the United States, the employer in the United States must apply to USCIS for a change of US visa status .
Can I Convert My US Tourist Visa to a Student Visa?
Yes, if you are accepted by an educational institution during your stay in the United States with a tourist visa, you have the right to change your visa status to student (F1). After receiving the I-20 form from the school you were accepted to for the F1 status change, you must apply to USCIS before your tourist visa stay expires.
You should not start any educational program or attend classes in the United States without receiving approval to switch from a tourist visa to a student visa; otherwise, the terms of your current tourist visa will be violated and you will face cancellation of your US visa .
Can You Get Married in the USA with a Tourist Visa?
There is no legal obstacle to getting married in the United States with a tourist visa. However, in the application for a settlement permit (green card) for people who want to stay in the United States after getting married, the reality of the visa holder’s intention when entering the United States and the conditions of the marriage are examined and a decision is made accordingly.
Those who marry shortly after arriving in the United States are considered to have falsified their visa intent, and their residence permit application may be denied and their visa may be revoked. USCIS recognizes that individuals may change their intent to remain in the United States after 90 days of entry, and may not consider those who marry and apply for residence permits after this time to be falsified.
Within the scope of American immigration regulations, a US marriage visa , also known as a K1 fiancé visa, is issued to people who are going to marry a US citizen . Applying for a K1 visa to get a green card (permanent residence) by getting married in the US would be healthier than the process of transitioning from a tourist visa to an immigrant status.
Can I Buy a Car in the USA with a Tourist Visa?
The ability to obtain a driver’s license and car with a tourist visa in the United States varies from state to state. It is recommended that you obtain information from the relevant State Motor Vehicle Bureau for current state practices.
Where Can I Get Consulting for a US Tourist Visa?
For US tourist visa applications, you can receive expert support and consultancy services from accredited visa agencies registered with TÜRSAB in Turkey.
There is no authorized intermediary institution for US visa applications; therefore, individuals, institutions and websites that want to sell appointments or health insurance using the names of visa centers should not be trusted.