Visit the U.S. with a B-2 Visitor Visa. We are expert immigration lawyers based out of Columbus, Ohio. Shihab Burke LLC Immigration Lawyers serves clients internationally with service areas in Troy, MI.
If visitors are citizens of a foreign country, a visa is typically needed before traveling. For example, a family visitor with a B-2 Visitor Visa may be appropriate for a family member that wants to visit his children. The B-2 Visitor Visa can also be appropriate for tourism purposes, such as to visit historic landmarks or attend a major sporting event in the U.S.
However, there are many purposes that are not permitted on visitor visas and the visitor visa carries several requirements that must be met before a visa can be issued. For example, a foreign national cannot use a B-2 Visitor Visa to study in the U.S. or seek employment or with the intent of establishing permanent residence in the U.S.
Since the denial of a B-2 visitor visa can disrupt your travel plans or cause you to miss important life events with family and friends, we encourage you to hire a skilled immigration attorney that will put you in a position for approval and help ensure your travel plans go smoothly. With offices in Columbus, Ohio, and service areas in Troy, Michigan, our team can meet with you in a variety of locations and if you’re located far away from our local offices, you can always contact us by calling +1 (866) 665-0001 or by filling out our contact form.
It is important to note that the B-2 Visa for Visitors holder may engage in some activities but is also restricted from engaging in others. Let us review these two categories to make sure the visiting family member does not break the terms of their B-2 Visitor Visa.
Below is a list of things a B-2 Visitor Visa holder can do while present in the U.S.:
As you can see, the B-2 Visa is intended for those seeking to enter the U.S. temporarily, for a short period of time for pleasure, not business, or medical treatment.
Below is a list of things a B-2 Visitor Visa holder cannot do while present in the U.S:
If any of the above are the reason for coming to the U.S., then another visa category may be appropriate instead of the B-2 visitor visa.
Of note is the additional restriction on “birth tourism”. A B-2 visa for visitors will not be issued if the primary purpose of the visit is to give birth in the U.S. to secure U.S. citizenship for the child.
If you are looking to hire an immigration attorney to help your family visitors acquire a visitor’s visa, hire the immigration visa attorneys at Shihab Burke LLC Immigration Lawyers.
In order to apply for the B-2 visitor visa, you’ll need to fill out and submit the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160, pay the appropriate application fee, as well as attend an interview. The application fee is $160, while your country of citizenship may require an additional “visa issuance fee” which can vary by county.
Note that interviews are only required for applicants who are between 14 and 79 years of age.
You may also need to provide additional documentation to prove your B-2 Visitor Visa eligibility at your interview. Such documentation can include:
The B-2 visitor visa is valid for 10 years after it is issued. It allows the holder to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of 180 days per entry. Multiple entries are allowed, therefore there is no limit on the number of times you can enter the U.S., as long as you abide by all the rules and time limits discussed above.
If the visiting family member is a citizen or national of one of the participating countries and wishes to visit the U.S. for less than 90 days, they may be eligible to enter without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. There are certain requirements to be eligible for the VWP, therefore it is best to seek the skilled help of an immigration attorney.
As you can see, family visitors, friends, and tourists have the possibility to apply for the B-2 Visitor Visa. The application process has many variables and can get complicated. But you do not have to figure this process out on your own.
Also, since the denial of a B-2 visitor visa can disrupt your travel plans or cause you to miss important life events with family and friends, we encourage you to hire a skilled immigration attorney. This will give you the best chance of B-2 Visitor Visa approval and help ensure your travel plans go smoothly.
Our team can meet with you in a variety of locations and if you are located far from our local offices in Columbus, Ohio, and our service areas in Troy, Michigan. You can always contact us for a consultation at +1 (866) 665-001, our contact form, and we can also meet over Zoom. The experienced team of immigration lawyers at Shihab Burke LLC Immigration Lawyers is available to answer all your questions and discuss all the legal options regarding any immigration-related issues
