United States of America - flag United States of America - Travel & Tourist - B-2 Visitors Visa

United States Visas were issued to 6.6 million foreign nationals visiting the United States. A foreign national wishing to enter the US must obtain a visa unless he or she is

  • a citizen of one of the thirty-six Visa Waiver Program countries,
  • a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, or
  • statutorily ineligible for visa-free travel (eg criminal records).

There are separate requirements for Mexican citizens.

Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant (except certain employment-related applicants, who are exempt) is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:

  • The purpose of their trip is to enter the US for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
  • They plan to remain for a specific, limited period; and
  • They have a residence outside the US as well as other binding ties which will ensure their return at the end of the visit.

All tourist visa applicants must pay a $140 US Dollar interview fee (up from $131 before June 4, 2010) to a US Consulate in order to be interviewed by a Consular Officer who will determine if the applicant is qualified to receive a visa to travel to the US. If the applicant is rejected, the $140 fee is not refunded. Amongst the items included in the qualification decision are financial independence, adequate employment, material assets and a lack of a criminal record in the applicant's native country.

Citizens of 36 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the United States under the VWP. They are:

  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brunei
  • Canada (who are allowed free movement within the US)
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands)
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Korea
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
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Ask Philip Gamble whether you (or your children) have a claim to British nationality.

ASK PHILIP GAMBLE NOW!
Learn more about these routes to British Nationality:

WhatPassport.com is a specialist UK Nationality and British Citizenship site offering an online search and assessment. Claims to hold a British Passport can be complex and the site offers a quick, simple search to give you the answers. While many people qualify for the UK Ancestry Visa based on holding a Commonwealth passport with a UK born grandmother or grandfather, we have found that if you have a grandparent born in the UK, or if your mother is British or your father is British, then there are several scenarios where you can claim British Nationality and the right to hold a British Passport. This stems from Britain’s collection of British Colonies, British Protectorates and British Protected States in the middle of last century and the Nationality rules concerning what are now the countries of the Commonwealth.

WhatPassport.com is a subsidiary of Sable International.

Sable International offers a range of services relating to UK and Australian immigration. For over 20 years, we have been helping people with their UK and Australian visa applications. We assist with applications for Ancestry visas, spouse visas, work visas, Tier 1 visas, UK working holiday visas, UK dependant visas, Tier 4 visas, UK Visitor visas, sponsorship visas or UK permanent residency or indefinite leave to remain. We also specialise in UK visa extensions. If you’ve overstayed your visa, our Overstayer Status Trace service can assist to regularise your visa status.