Apart from immigrating to the US for educational and professional reasons, people also visit the US for spending holidays. Provisions are also there to acquire USA holiday visa .
The Tourist Visa:
The tourist visa (B-2) is meant for those who intend to make short holiday trips to the USA. This particular visa allows one to enter the US for a period of six months or less to travel for pleasure or seek medical treatment.
Eligibility for Application:
The various criteria for applying for the tourist visa are:
•The visit shall be visit/tourist or medical treatment activities related
•The visit shall be for a limited period
•The visitor shall be in possession of sufficient financial resources.
•The visitor shall have a residence outside the US and shall return to his/her home country after the stay in the US.
•The visitor is allowed to stay up to six months initially. Thereafter he/she can apply for an extension of stay (generally for another six months)
•If the applicant is exempt as a citizen of a country under the Visa Waiver program, he/she may stay in the US for up to 90 days without a visa.
Procedure of Application:
The general application procedure for a tourist visa to the US is as follows:
•While the applicant in many countries can apply directly on spot at the US Consulate or US Embassy, in some other countries he/she will need to make an appointment for application.
•The visitor will have to go to the US consulate/embassy of his/her home country abroad and fill out the optional forms of type DS .
•If the visitor cannot support himself/herself while in the United States, he/she will have to prove to the INS that somebody in the US could extend support to him/her. In this regard, the tourist has to fill out a specific form (I-134) Affidavit of Support.
•The applicant has to submit a valid passport, photographs and other documents proving his/her intent to return to the home country.
•The applicant may have to appear for an interview with the consulate
•If the applicant is accompanied by relatives, a separate visa application has to be made for them
•If all is approved, the visa will be delivered and if denied, the applicant has to provide additional evidence for support. There is however no formal appeal process for this type of visa.
