Avoid rejections from the government on your United States B1/B2 Visa Application. Filling out the DS-160 form correctly is the most important aspect of the process that will definitely increase your approval chances of getting your United States B1/ B2 visa for the first time or renewing it successfully.
A poorly completed form means the immediate rejection of the visa, even if the US authorities have already given you approval on other occasions. That’s why at iVisa, they not only created a simplified DS-160 form by making it 50% shorter, faster, and very easy to answer, but they also assign you an iVisa Expert who will guide you throughout the process from start to end, and help you avoid rejections.
| Visa type | B1 (business) / B2 (tourism) — usually combined B1/B2 |
| Who needs it | Citizens of non-VWP countries |
| EU/Greece | ⚠️ Not needed — use ESTA instead |
| Validity | Up to 10 years |
| Max stay per entry | 180 days |
| MRV Application fee | $205 from May 30, 2026 |
| Visa Integrity Fee | +$250 (new from Oct 2025) |
| Total fees | ~$455 |
| Interview required? | Yes, waivers largely eliminated in Sept 2025 |
| Processing time | 2–4 weeks post-interview |
| Apply via iVisa | 👉 iVisa.com |
| Official US site | 👉 travel.state.gov |
Benefits of applying for your United States B1/B2 Visa with iVisa
● Application 100% Government Compliant. Their team will review each one of the answers you give on the form and adjust them to be 100% compliant with the government requirements.
● Unlimited Access to your iVisa Expert. At iVisa, they will assign you an iVisa Expert to guide you through the entire application from start to end and answer any questions you may have about the process.
● Simplified DS-160 Form. While on the Embassy website, you will have to answer 150 confusing and tedious questions; at iVisa, you will only have to answer a 50% shorter form with clearer questions. It will be like filling out a short survey.
● Fill out the form at your own pace. You can fill out the form at your own pace, make changes whenever you want, and save your progress, so you do not have to start from scratch, unlike the embassy website, which cuts you off from their website every time you take a break.
● Didactic Manual. Once you apply, at iVisa, they will give you a Didactic Manual with all the tips you need to know to answer the difficult sections and the step-by-step of what you need to do to get your new visa without problems.
iVisa can help with DS-160 completion and process guidance, as we mentioned, but adds a service fee on top of government charges.
Worth using iVisa if:
- You are unsure how to complete the DS-160 (it is a complex form)
- You want an expert to review every answer before submission
- You are close to your travel date
- You have had previous visa issues
Worth applying yourself if:
- You have time and are comfortable with online forms
- You want to save the service fee
Fill out the simplified iVisa form
Interview Requirements — Important Change
⚠️ Critical update September: Interview waivers (drop-box renewal without interview) have been eliminated for nearly all non-immigrant visa categories, including B1/B2. This means the majority of applicants, even for renewals, must now attend an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Who may still be exempt (limited):
- Children under 14 years old
- Elderly applicants over 80 years old
- Certain specific categories (verify with your local consulate)
Wait times: In many locations, interview wait times exceed 12 months, so you have to apply very early before your intended travel date.
Check our New York travel guide
How to apply for a US B1/B2 Visa — Step by Step
Step 1 — Complete Form DS-160: Online at ceac.state.gov, the official US non-immigrant visa application form. Print the confirmation page with the barcode, essential for your interview.
Step 2 — Pay the fees:
- MRV fee: $205 (from 30/5/2026)
- Pay through the official payment portal of your consulate
- Keep the payment receipt, required to schedule your appointment
Step 3 — Schedule your interview: At the nearest US embassy or consulate.
Step 4 — Prepare your documents:
- Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining)
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Fee payment receipt
- Photo meeting State Department specifications
- Evidence of ties to your home country (job, property, family)
- Proof of financial ability (bank statements)
- Travel details (hotels, itinerary)
Step 5 — Attend your interview: Arrive with all documents. The consular officer will assess your travel purpose and your intention to return home. Be consistent with your DS-160 answers.
Step 6 — Visa Integrity Fee: If approved, pay the $250 Visa Integrity Fee before issuance.
Step 7 — Receive your visa: Your passport is stamped with the visa. Check your name, passport number, and validity dates carefully before travelling.
Learn how to apply for ESTA
What you can do with the B1 B2 Visa
● Tourism
● Shopping
● Buy goods or real estate
● Visit friends or family
● Take a short recreational course (not for credit)
● Participate in fairs
● Participate in congresses as a listener or as a speaker (without charging fees)
● Medical treatments
● Consultations with an American doctor
● Signing of contracts
● Business meetings
What you CAN NOT do with the B1 B2 visa
● You can not work
● You can not study temporarily
● You can not reside permanently in the country
● You can not get a driver’s license
● You can not authorize a child to study in a public school in the country.
Time of validity of the B1 and B2 visa
The American B1 B2 visa is valid for 10 years after being issued. With this type of visa, you can stay in the US for periods of up to 180 days Per Entry during a temporary stay, and for a specific purpose.
US B1/B2 Visa FAQ
Total: ~$455. MRV application fee $205 from May 30, 2026, + new Visa Integrity Fee of $250 (introduced October 2025). Both non-refundable if denied. Some nationalities also pay a reciprocity issuance fee on top.
No, EU citizens use ESTA instead. Cost: $40.27. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The B1/B2 visa is for citizens of countries NOT in the Visa Waiver Program (e.g., India, China, Brazil, Russia, Turkey, Egypt). Read our ESTA guide.
Yes, for almost everyone. Since September 2025, interview waivers have been largely eliminated for all non-immigrant visa categories. Most applicants, including renewals, must attend an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Up to 10 years from issue date (varies by nationality). Each entry allows a stay of up to 180 days. The border officer determines the exact length of authorised stay on each visit.
The DS-160 is the mandatory Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form. The official US government form for all non-immigrant visas. Complete it at ceac.state.gov, print the confirmation page with barcode, and bring it to your interview.
Processing: 2–4 weeks after interview. But interview wait times are the bottleneck because they may exceed 12 months in many countries. Apply as early as possible. Check current wait times at travel.state.gov.
Yes, iVisa helps with DS-160 completion and process guidance. Government fees remain the same ($205 MRV + $250 Integrity Fee) regardless. iVisa adds a service fee. Useful to avoid DS-160 errors, which can lead to rejection. Apply via iVisa.
