US B1/B2 Tourist &
Business Visa
Planning to visit the USA for tourism, business meetings or to meet family? Joy Visas provides complete B1/B2 visa assistance — DS-160 filing, document preparation and interview coaching — with a 99% success rate.
B1, B2 & Combined B1/B2 Visa
Most Indian applicants apply for the combined B1/B2 visa — covering both tourism and business in a single visa.
For professionals visiting the USA for short-term business activities. You cannot take up paid employment in the US on this visa.
- Meetings & conferences
- Contract negotiations
- Trade shows & exhibitions
- Business training (unpaid)
- Consulting with clients
- Board meetings & seminars
For individuals visiting the USA for tourism, family visits, medical treatment or short recreational courses.
- Tourism & sightseeing
- Visiting family & friends
- Medical treatment
- Short courses (under 18 hrs/wk)
- Attending social events
- Amateur competitions
Most Indian applicants receive the combined B1/B2 — offering flexibility to travel for both business and tourism in a single visa with 10-year validity.
- Covers all B1 & B2 activities
- 10-year multiple entry validity
- Stay up to 6 months per visit
- No need to reapply every trip
- Best value for frequent travellers
- Most commonly issued by USCIS
US B1/B2 Visa Fees from India
Important: A new $250 Visa Integrity Fee was introduced from October 2025 — bringing the total cost to ~$435.
| Fee Component | Amount (USD) | Amount (INR approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRV Application Fee (B1/B2) | $185 | ~₹15,500 | Non-refundable. Paid online before DS-160 submission. |
| Visa Integrity Fee NEW 2025 | $250 | ~₹20,900 | Mandatory from Oct 2025. Refundable only on full visa compliance. |
| Total Base Fee | $435 | ~₹36,400 | Combined MRV + Integrity Fee from FY2026 onwards. |
| Visa Issuance / Reciprocity Fee | $0 | ₹0 | India: No reciprocity fee for B1/B2 visas currently. |
| VFS Global Service Charge | ~$20 | ~₹1,700 | Paid at VFS centre for biometric appointment. |
Current Wait Times — India Consulates
US visa interview wait times in India are among the longest in the world. Apply 10–12 months in advance.
Wait times change weekly. Joy Visas monitors slot availability and alerts you when earlier dates open up. Apply as early as possible — ideally 10–12 months before your travel date. Kolkata often has the shortest wait times for Indian applicants.
B1/B2 Visa — Eligibility Criteria
The consular officer must be convinced your visit is temporary and that you will return to India. These are the key criteria.
The #1 factor. You must prove you have reasons to return — employment, business, property, family dependents. Without strong home ties, visa is likely rejected.
Bank statements showing adequate funds for your entire US trip — flights, accommodation, daily expenses — without needing to work in the US.
Your visit must be for a specific, limited period — tourism, meetings or family visit. Immigrant intent is the main reason for B1/B2 visa denial.
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. Carry all previous passports — they show your travel history and visa compliance.
Schengen, UK, Canada, Australia visa history significantly improves B1/B2 approval chances. First-time international travellers face more scrutiny.
Salaried: stable job + employer NOC. Self-employed: business proof + ITR + GST. Retired: pension + property. Stable income profile = higher approval rate.
Prior B1/B2 refusals must be disclosed on DS-160 and addressed in the interview. Joy Visas helps refusal cases with stronger profiles and interview prep.
Having a spouse or children on H1B or Green Card in the US significantly increases scrutiny around immigrant intent. A strong rebuttal is essential.
Step-by-Step Process
Joy Visas manages your complete US B1/B2 visa application — from DS-160 to interview coaching.
Our US visa expert reviews your travel history, employment profile, financial standing and purpose of visit. We identify potential red flags and build a strategy to present the strongest possible case to the consular officer.
The DS-160 is the most critical document. Any inconsistency between your DS-160, supporting documents and interview answers can lead to rejection. Our team fills the DS-160 accurately — travel history, employment, family details — and reviews every section before submission.
We guide you through MRV fee payment ($185) and Visa Integrity Fee ($250) on the correct portals. We then book your OFC (biometrics) appointment and interview appointment at your nearest US Consulate — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata.
We provide a personalised checklist and help you compile all documents — bank statements, ITR, employer NOC, business proof, travel itinerary and accommodation. Every document is reviewed for consistency and completeness before your interview.
The interview is the most important step for a US B1/B2 visa. Our team conducts a full mock interview — 30–40 minutes — covering all likely questions for your profile (tourist, business or family visit). We coach you on confident, concise answers and body language.
Attend your OFC appointment for fingerprints and photograph. This is a short, routine appointment (10–15 minutes). Carry your appointment letter, DS-160 confirmation, passport and fee receipts. Our team provides a full pre-appointment briefing.
Attend your scheduled interview at the US Consulate. The interview typically lasts 2–5 minutes. Answer questions clearly, confidently and honestly. Carry your complete document file. Joy Visas provides a final pre-interview briefing the day before.
On approval, your visa is stamped in your passport and returned via courier within 3–5 working days. Joy Visas provides a post-approval travel briefing — I-94 form, US entry rules, port of entry tips and important contacts.
B1/B2 Visa — Document Checklist
Carry originals + photocopies of all documents to your visa interview. Keep them organised in a file.
- Valid Passport — 6+ months validity. Carry ALL old passports with prior visas.
- DS-160 Confirmation Page — Printed with barcode. Joy Visas fills this for you.
- Visa Appointment Letter — OFC biometrics + Interview appointment confirmation.
- MRV Fee Receipt — Proof of $185 payment.
- Visa Integrity Fee Receipt — Proof of $250 payment (mandatory from Oct 2025).
- Passport Photo — 5×5 cm, white background, taken within 6 months.
- Bank Statements — Last 6 months, showing regular salary or business credits.
- ITR (Income Tax Returns) — Last 2–3 years, CA-certified or portal download.
- Salary Slips — Last 3 months with employer letterhead.
- Employer NOC Letter — Confirming your employment, designation, salary and leave approval.
- Business Proof — GST, company registration, partnership deed (self-employed).
- Property Documents — Home ownership, fixed deposits — shows ties to India.
- Travel Itinerary — Day-wise plan with cities, hotels and activities in the USA.
- Hotel Bookings — Confirmed accommodation for your US stay.
- Flight Itinerary — Tentative booking (not purchased) showing return journey.
- B1 — Invitation Letter — From US company, conference confirmation or training details.
- B2 — Invitation Letter — From family/friends in US (with their visa/status proof).
- Travel Insurance — Recommended. Covers medical emergencies during US visit.
Mock Interview — Q&A Practice
Practice the most common US B1/B2 visa interview questions. Click each question to see the ideal answer and tips.
US Visa Interview — Do's & Don'ts
The interview lasts only 2–5 minutes. Every word and gesture matters. Follow these tips for the best outcome.
Officers ask short questions and expect short answers. Do not ramble or over-explain. "I am visiting New York for 10 days" is better than a 3-minute explanation.
Know your bank balance, salary, return flight date and itinerary by heart. When asked, produce the document immediately — don't fumble through your folder.
Look at the consular officer when speaking. Avoiding eye contact signals dishonesty. Stand confidently — your body language communicates trust and credibility.
The interview is conducted in English. If your English is weak, practice key phrases before the interview. Joy Visas mock sessions help you prepare in English.
Misrepresentation — whether on DS-160 or in the interview — leads to permanent bans. If you don't know something, say "I am not sure" rather than guessing.
The consular officer's job is to assess whether you'll overstay. End every answer related to your stay with a tie back to India — job, family, property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Apply for Your US Visa?
Expert DS-160 filing, document preparation and interview coaching. 99% approval rate.