Tourist Visa

In general, visitors traveling to the United States for pleasure and/or medical treatment will enter the U.S. on a Visitors Visa. The Visitors Visa, commonly known as Tourist Visa, is designed for tourism, visits, medical treatment and social activities. Additionally, it allows it holder to take part in a small class if consisting of less than 18 hours a week.

Special Tourist Visa requirements

Like every visa, the Tourist Visa has several requirements. They make sure that visitors will not immigrate to the U.S. but leave at the end of their stay. Therefore, applicants for a Tourist Visa have to prove that their porpose to enter the Unites States is either pleasure or medical treatment. In addtion, they have to specify the time period of their stay. Further, they have to give evidence that they can cover their expenses during their stay and that they have social and economic ties as well as a residency outside of the U.S.

Applying for a Tourist Visa

Applicants for a Tourist Visa have to fill out form I-160 and submit it together with a valid passport and a recent photograph to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Subsequently, as part of the application process, an interview at the Embassy or Consulate will be scheduled during which digital fingerprints will be taken.

Currently, citizens of 35 countries are eligible to come to the U.S. without applying for a Tourist Visa. Countries taking part in this „Visa Waiver Program“ are e.g. Germany, France, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland.

Links: Spouse Green Card | Immigration Office | United States Immigration | Green Card Rules |