What documents are required for a U.S. B1/B2 visitor visa?

Core documents include a passport valid for travel to the United States, the DS-160 confirmation page, the visa application fee receipt where required, and a printed visa photograph if the online photo upload fails. Additional evidence may be requested to establish the purpose of the trip, intent to depart after the visit, and ability to pay travel costs.

What documents are needed for medical treatment in the United States on a B-2 visa?

The consular officer may request a local physician's diagnosis, a letter from a U.S. physician or medical facility confirming willingness to treat the condition and estimating the length and cost of treatment, and proof that transportation, medical and living expenses will be paid.

What is the current B1/B2 visitor visa application fee?

The current non-refundable application processing fee for a B visitor visa is US$185. A separate visa issuance or reciprocity fee may apply depending on nationality.

Is an invitation letter required for a B1/B2 visitor visa?

No. The U.S. Department of State states that a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not required for a visitor visa. Applicants qualify based on their own circumstances, purpose of travel, ties abroad and ability to pay travel costs.

United States Visitor Visa Guide

Supporting Documents for USA B-1/B-2 Business, Tourist and Medical Treatment Visa

Updated: 1 September 2026

A U.S. visitor visa is a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay. B-1 is used for qualifying temporary business activities, B-2 is used for tourism, visiting family or friends and medical treatment, and a combined B1/B2 visa may cover both qualifying purposes.

Supporting documents are only part of the visa decision. The consular officer considers the individual application and determines whether the applicant has established eligibility for the requested visitor visa under U.S. immigration law.

Core Documents Required for a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa

Before the visa interview, prepare the documents required by the U.S. Department of State and any additional items specified by the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case.

Passport valid for travel to the United States and generally valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay, unless an applicable country-specific agreement provides otherwise.
DS-160 confirmation page from the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
Visa application fee receipt where payment is required before the interview.
Visa photograph meeting current Department of State specifications if the online DS-160 photo upload fails.

Each person who requires a visa must submit a separate application, including family members traveling together.

Additional Supporting Evidence May Be Requested

The consular officer may request additional evidence to establish:

the genuine purpose of the trip;
the applicant's intent to depart the United States after the temporary visit; and
the applicant's ability to pay the costs of the trip.

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, useful evidence may include:

Current proof of income or employment.
Tax-payment records where relevant.
Evidence of property, business ownership or other assets where relevant.
Travel itinerary or a clear explanation of the proposed trip.
Employment letter stating position, salary, length of employment and authorized leave.
Evidence of business ownership, directorship or professional position for a business visitor.
Recent pay statements for a working applicant where useful.
Evidence of previous lawful U.S. immigration or visa status for a prior visitor where relevant.

Evidence of employment and family ties may help demonstrate the purpose of travel and the intention to return abroad. If another person will pay some or all trip expenses, evidence of that person's ability to pay may also be presented.

An invitation letter or Affidavit of Support is not required for a visitor visa. The Department of State states that applicants must qualify based on their own circumstances and ties abroad rather than assurances from U.S. family members or friends.

Supporting Documents for B-1 Business Visitors

B-1 status is for qualifying temporary business activities such as consulting with business associates, attending a professional or business convention or conference, settling an estate, or negotiating a contract.

Depending on the proposed activity, useful supporting documents may include:

a letter from the employer explaining the applicant's position, salary, length of employment, authorized leave and business purpose of the U.S. trip;
conference registration, meeting schedules or correspondence with U.S. business associates;
documents describing contract negotiations or other qualifying business activity;
evidence of the applicant's position in a company and remuneration, where relevant; and
documents showing who will pay travel and living expenses.

A B-1 or B1/B2 visitor visa does not authorize ordinary employment or work for a U.S. employer. Activities such as regular employment, degree study, paid professional performance and work as foreign press generally require another visa classification.

Supporting Documents for B-2 Tourism and Family Visits

B-2 visitor status may be used for tourism, vacation, visiting friends or relatives, medical treatment, certain social activities, qualifying amateur events without payment, and short recreational courses not taken for degree credit.

Depending on the purpose of travel, supporting evidence may include:

a proposed itinerary, accommodation information or explanation of the planned trip;
evidence of funds for airfare, lodging and day-to-day expenses;
employment, business, educational or family evidence showing continuing ties abroad;
for a student or young applicant, current school records or other evidence of ongoing studies where relevant;
where visiting a relative, evidence identifying the relative and the purpose of the visit; and
where relevant, a copy of the relative's U.S. immigration-status document may be carried as supporting context, although it is not a substitute for the applicant establishing personal eligibility.

Supporting Documents for Medical Treatment in the United States

Medical treatment is a permitted B-2 visitor purpose. In addition to the standard visitor visa documents, the consular officer may ask for the following medical and financial evidence:

Document	What it should establish
Diagnosis from a local physician	The nature of the medical condition and why treatment is needed in the United States.
Letter from a U.S. physician or medical facility	Willingness to treat the specific condition and the projected length and cost of treatment, including physician, hospital and other medical expenses.
Proof that expenses will be paid	Evidence that transportation, medical and living costs in the United States will be covered. This can include bank records, income or savings statements, or certified income-tax returns of the applicant or the person or organization paying the expenses.

Medical treatment applicants should be prepared to demonstrate that adequate arrangements and funds exist for the proposed treatment and related expenses. A visa is not a guarantee of admission to the United States.

Current B-1/B-2 Interview Rules

Effective October 1, 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applicants generally require an in-person interview, including applicants under age 14 and over age 79, unless they fall within a listed exception.

Certain applicants renewing a B-1, B-2 or B1/B2 visa within 12 months of the prior visa's expiration may qualify for an interview waiver if the prior visa was issued for full validity when the applicant was at least 18 years old and the applicant meets the other eligibility conditions.

Those conditions include applying in the country of nationality or usual residence, having no unresolved prior visa refusal and having no apparent or potential ineligibility. A consular officer may still require an in-person interview in any individual case.

Where to Apply for a U.S. Visitor Visa in 2026

Under Department of State instructions updated July 15, 2026, nonimmigrant visa applicants should generally schedule their interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.

An applicant relying on residence must be able to demonstrate residence in that country. Applying outside the country of nationality or residence may make it more difficult to qualify, and fees paid for an application generally cannot be transferred or refunded merely because the applicant chooses another post.

Current B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa Fee

The current non-refundable application processing fee for a B visitor visa-including B-1 business, B-2 tourism/medical treatment and combined B1/B2 visas-is US$185.

A separate visa issuance or reciprocity fee may apply after approval depending on the applicant's nationality and the applicable reciprocity schedule.

Previous Arrests or Convictions

If an applicant has previously been arrested or convicted, the embassy or consulate may require criminal or court records relating to the incident, even where a sentence has been completed or a pardon was later granted. The exact records required depend on the individual case and post instructions.

Document Accuracy, Fraud and Misrepresentation

Do not submit false, altered or misleading documents. Fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact may result in serious immigration consequences, including visa ineligibility.

Information in the DS-160, supporting documents and visa interview should be complete, accurate and consistent. Applicants should follow the embassy or consulate's instructions for submitting confidential or additional documents rather than sending unsolicited documents by email, fax or post.

B1/B2 Visitor Visa Document Checklist

Valid passport.
DS-160 confirmation page.
Visa fee receipt where required.
Printed visa photograph if upload fails.
Evidence explaining the purpose of travel.
Evidence of funds for the trip.
Employment/business/education evidence where relevant.
Evidence of intention to depart after the visit.
Prior U.S. visa/status records where relevant.
Medical diagnosis, U.S. treatment letter and payment evidence for medical travel.

Official U.S. Government Links

Related USA Visa Pages

Important Note

Visitor visa requirements depend on the purpose of travel, nationality, individual circumstances and the procedures of the U.S. embassy or consulate handling the application. Applicants should verify current Department of State and consular-post instructions before applying, attending an interview or making final travel arrangements.