B1 vs B2 — What Is the Difference?
The B1 visa is for temporary business visitors: attending meetings, conferences, or negotiations; consulting with business associates; and limited business activities that don't involve working for a US employer. The B2 visa covers tourism, medical treatment, and visiting family or friends.
In practice, most embassies issue a combined B1/B2 visa that covers both categories. When completing your DS-160, select the category that best describes your primary purpose. You do not need to apply separately for B1 and B2.
Eligibility — Demonstrating Non-Immigrant Intent
The central challenge of a B1/B2 application is demonstrating non-immigrant intent — convincing the consular officer that you do not intend to immigrate to the United States and will return home at the end of your authorised stay. This is assessed based on your ties to your home country: employment, family, property, financial assets, and community connections.
The burden of proof sits with the applicant. Unlike some visa systems, US consular officers are not required to explain or give reasons for a refusal. Every application is evaluated individually. A previous refusal is not automatically disqualifying, but must be declared on the DS-160.
Completing the DS-160
The DS-160 is the mandatory online non-immigrant visa application form, submitted through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). Complete it carefully — all answers must be truthful and consistent with your supporting documents. Common mistakes: mismatched travel dates, underreporting prior visa refusals, inconsistent address or employment information.
Save your application regularly using the Application ID — the form times out after 20 minutes of inactivity and progress can be lost. Once submitted, you receive a confirmation page with a barcode — print this and bring it to your interview appointment.
Booking Your Visa Interview
After submitting your DS-160 and paying the MRV (Machine Readable Visa) application fee of USD $185, log in to the US Embassy appointment system in your country to schedule your interview. Wait times vary dramatically by embassy and time of year — popular embassies can have waits of 6–12+ months. Book your appointment as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
Bring to your interview: your DS-160 confirmation page; a printed copy of your appointment confirmation; your current and all previous passports; the MRV fee payment receipt; one photograph meeting the US photo requirements; and your supporting documents.
What to Bring — Supporting Documents
The US Government states that supporting documents are optional and that consular officers make decisions based primarily on the interview. However, bringing well-organised supporting evidence can help establish credibility, especially for first-time applicants:
- Employer letter: your position, salary, length of employment, and confirmation of authorised leave
- Bank statements: last 3–6 months
- Evidence of property ownership or lease agreements in your home country
- Family ties: marriage certificate, birth certificates of dependent children
- Evidence of the specific purpose of your visit: event invitation, hotel bookings, conference registration
- For returning applicants: copies of prior US visas and evidence of previous US travel (entry/exit records if available)
The Interview Itself
Most B1/B2 interviews are brief — under 5 minutes. The officer will ask questions about your purpose of visit, your employment, your ties to your home country, and your travel plans. Answer directly and confidently. If you don't know an answer, say so — do not guess.
Common interview questions: What is the purpose of your visit? Where will you be staying? How long do you plan to stay? What do you do for work? Do you have family in the US? Have you visited the US before? Prepare clear, honest answers to each. Officers are experienced at detecting rehearsed or inconsistent answers.