U.S. Visitor Visa (B)
The US visitor visa allows its holder to go to the US short-term visits for a maximum of six months. Because there are two main purposes that visitors can go to the US, there are also two types of visitor visas into the B category.
B1 Visa (generally referred to as Business Visa) is the visa which allows you to enter the United States with the purpose of doing business with a company within the United States.
B2 Visa (generally referred to as a Tourist Visa) is the visa which allows you to enter the US with the purpose of tourism, pleasure, or visit to friends and family.
Business Visa (B-1)
Some activities permitted under a B-1 visa are
Consult with business associates.
Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference.
Settle an estate.
Negotiate a contract.
Tourist Visa (B-2)
Some activities permitted under a B-2 visa are
Tourism.
Holiday/Vacation.
Visit friends or relatives.
Medical Treatment.
Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations.
Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating.
Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit towards a degree.
The following activities are not permitted in B1/B2 visas and require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a business or tourist visa.
Study
Employment
Paid Performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
Arrical as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media.
Permanent residence in the United States.
Birth Tourism (travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their child.
Interview Requirements
A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a visitor visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. Law to receive a visa.
Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain exceptions. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.
An interview is generally not required for those who are 13 and younger or 80 and older.
Those between the ages of 14 and 79 require an interview (some exceptions may apply for renewals).
The interview is scheduled via an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live.
Photograph Requirements for US visa
Your photograph is a crucial part of your vis application. The U. S. Department of State recommends you to use a professional visa photo service to meet all photo requirements, stated below.
In color.
Head is between 1 in and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image's total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Taken within 6 months.
Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background.
Taken in full-face view firectly facing the camera.
With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open.
Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis.
Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
Headphones, woreless hands-free devices, earbuds, or similar items are not allowed.
Eyeglasses are not allowed in visa photos, except in rare circumstances when eyeglasses cannot be removed for medical reasons. A medical statement signed by a medical professional/health practitioner must be provided in these cases.
Hearing devices or similar articles, worn on a daily basis are permitted.
Paper Photo Head Size Template
Photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches
The height of the head (top of hair to bottom of chin) should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm - 35 mm)
Make sure the eye height is between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo
Digital Image Head Size Template
The top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin must be between 50% and 69% of the image's total height. The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56% and 69% of the image's height.
Image pixel dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (meaning the height must be equal to the width). Minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 pixels (width) x 600 pixels (height). Maximum acceptable dimensions are 1200 pixels (width) x 1200 pixels (height).