North America
United States
United States visit visa requirements
United States · Statue of Liberty New York · Don Ramey Logan · CC BY 4.0
Summary
United States destination guide
Verified 22 September 2026
- Visit routes
- B-1/B-2 Visitor · ESTA/VWP
This is the United States hub. Pick a passport below for a pair page. Rules differ by nationality.
Most foreign nationals need a nonimmigrant visitor visa (B-1 business / B-2 tourism / combined B-1/B-2) before travel. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries generally use ESTA instead of a B visa for short tourism/business stays (check eligibility). Canadian citizens generally do not need a visa for temporary visit/tourism/business (per State Dept visitor page exceptions). ESTA: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ DS-160: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Checklist
Document requirements
- DS-160 confirmation page + photo per DS-160 rules
- Passport valid for travel
- Interview at US Embassy/Consulate (unless interview waived per current rules)
- Evidence may be requested re: purpose, funds, ties abroad (invitation/Affidavit of Support not required for visitor visa per State Dept, but may be brought)
Checklist source: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html
Money and time
Fees and timeline
Unknown — not found as a single official fee in this pack. Check the apply links before paying anyone.
Processing (official)
Embassy-specific wait times on travel.state.gov
Official only
How to apply
You will leave VisitVisaInfo for an official government or designated VAC website.
- Official hubtravel.state.govtravel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html
- Official hubceac.state.govceac.state.gov/genniv/
- Official hubesta.cbp.dhs.govesta.cbp.dhs.gov/
- Official hubtravel.state.govtravel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/RefusalRates/FY25.pdf
- Official hubNonimmigrant statistics / refusal ratestravel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/nonimmigrant-visa-statistics.html
- Official hubEmbassy locatorwww.usembassy.gov/
Check another passport
The flight animation takes you to the guide for the countries you pick.
Official statistics
Visa ratio
Not officially published
A percentage is shown only when an official source published one for this route. Blog tables and estimates are left out.
By passport
Status recorded for common passports
- PakistanUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- IndiaUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- BangladeshUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- NigeriaUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- PhilippinesUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- EgyptUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- United Arab EmiratesUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- Saudi ArabiaUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- United KingdomOften VWP/ESTA if eligibleETA / ETIAS
- CanadaGenerally no visa for temporary visitVisa-free
- ChinaUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- TurkeyUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- IndonesiaUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
- BrazilUsually B-1/B-2 (unless other status)Embassy visa required
Quick answers
FAQ
What visit permissions does United States use?
United States is recorded with these visit routes: B-1/B-2 Visitor; ESTA/VWP. Which one applies depends on the passport. Confirm it on the official links on this page.
Where do I apply for a United States visit visa?
Apply only on an official site. This page links to travel.state.gov, ceac.state.gov, esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Is a United States visa refusal rate published?
Not officially published for United States in this research pack.