Thousands of Indians file applications for USA Tourist Visas every year to travel to the USA. The USA Visitor Visa is also known as B-1 or B-2 Tourist Visa. It is approved for travelers arriving in the US for short-term leisure, medical treatment, or business. Generally, B-2 and B-1 Visas are approved jointly and are known as B-1/B-2 Visas.
So if you wish to know how to apply for USA Tourist Visa from India, here are the important details:
Steps to apply for USA Tourist Visa
- You have to first choose your location as India and begin the Visa Application Process on the website of the Electronic Application Centre of the US Consulate
- Then you have to fill out the Visa Application DS-160 Form and compulsorily provide answers to all the queries specified on the application form
- You have to provide your signature on the form electronically and submit it after attaching a photo of your passport size with it
- You are required to make payment of the fee for processing the Visa within 2 days of submission of the application form and payment can be made through Internet banking
- After submitting the form you have to take a printout of the DS-160 confirmation page that contains the barcode. It must be safely kept until you reach the US.
After submitting the application form, you will have to appear for 2 interviews. You must book the appointment slot immediately after filing the Visa application.
The first interview will be conducted for collecting your photograph and fingerprints. It is a brief process and will not require beyond ten minutes. You are advised to be present for the interview a few minutes prior to the allocated time.
The second interview is very important and is conducted for collating more details regarding the applicant. In this interview, electronic gadgets, phones, and any type of bag are not permitted in the room for the interview. Applicants are allowed to enter the interview room only along with the documents and forms.
The US Immigration Officer will ask about various details regarding the visit to the applicant during the second interview. It includes the person finding the trip, the duration of the visit, and its purpose. The officer will declare the results of the interview immediately on the spot.
Read More:- Stepwise Guide to Apply for USA Tourist Visa from India
The Documents Needed For USA Tourist Visa
If you are seeking to apply for a Tourist Visa to the US you will require the below documents for the second interview:
- Valid Passport – You will require all expired and old passports for the interview. Moreover, the present passport must also possess validity of a minimum of 6 months after the likely date of arrival in the US.
- Hard and soft copies of the photograph of passport size according to the specification
- Authentic DS-160 Visa Application having a stamp from the VAC - Visa Application Centre on the page confirmation
- Evidence of visa fee payment in the form of a valid receipt
- The interviewer intends to verify that an applicant is a lawful person who fulfills all the criteria for the Tourist Visa. So the applicant has to carry authentic proof of identity and possesses a genuine reason for arriving in the US.
- The applicants have to offer documents demonstrating that they possess adequate funds to pay for the trip to the US
- The applicants have to demonstrate that they possess strong relations in India that will show that they possess a strong motive for returning to India once the trip is completed
- Evidence that states the trip’s purpose and intention to exit the US once the trip gets completed
- A complete and detailed itinerary with dates and plans
- Evidence of adequate funds (copy of bank statement and passbook)
- Copy of previous year’s payment of tax, Tax ID, Aadhaar Card, and PAN Card
- Business card if you have any
- Invitation cards or letters from relatives inviting you to the US
- Employment letter from the employer if you are employed
- You will have to submit a NOC if you are employed by the Government
- You will have to offer evidence of business ownership if you are a businessman
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants from India
- The applicant must have citizenship in India
- The applicant must possess an authentic passport
- They must have authentic and accurate IDs like Voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, and PAN card
- Applicants who do not possess any criminal history are offered priority over those who have any kind of criminal history
