Thinking of heading to the United States however not sure whether or not you want a Tourist or a Visit Visa? Don’t fear—you’re not alone. With current coverage updates, stricter screenings, and a number of new surprises (together with journey bans and proposed quick-observe charges), it’s extra necessary than ever to select the appropriate visa kind.
Let’s simplify all the things for you.
The Basics: What Are B-1 and B-2 Visas?
Both visas fall beneath the B class of non-immigrant U.S. visas, however they serve completely different functions:
| Visa Type | Purpose | Common Activities |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 (Visit/Business Visa) | Short-term enterprise journey | Meetings, conferences, negotiations, unpaid coaching |
| B-2 (Tourist Visa) | Personal, leisure, or medical journey | Tourism, household visits, weddings, sightseeing, medical therapy |
| B-1/B-2 (Combo) | Dual-purpose visits | A mixture of each actions |
Latest Policy Changes You Must Know (June 2025)
| Update | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Mandatory MFA for ImmiAccount | New candidates should arrange multi-issue authentication for visa accounts. No shared logins allowed. |
| Interview Waiver Limits | Only renewals from the previous 12 months might skip interviews. Most should now attend in individual. |
| Proposed $1,000 Fast-Track Fee | Want your visa quicker? You would possibly quickly pay a premium. Not applied but, however beneath evaluate. |
| June 2025 Travel Ban | New visa bans for 12 nations (full), and extreme delays for 7 others—together with partial restrictions for Pakistan, Iran, and Yemen. |
| Stricter Airport Checks | Even vacationers with legitimate visas face harder questioning and potential cellphone checks upon arrival. |
Ask Yourself These Questions to Pick the Right US Visa
Let’s stroll you thru this resolution like a pal would:
1# Why Are You Going to the U.S.?
-
- Only for enterprise? (No wage, simply conferences/conferences) → Go for B-1
- Only for leisure, tourism, or visiting kinfolk? → Choose B-2
- A little bit of each? → Apply for a B-1/B-2 combo visa.
2# Will You Be Getting Paid within the U.S.?
-
- If sure, neither B-1 nor B-2 is appropriate—you’ll want a piece visa.
- ✅ If no, each visa sorts are advantageous (simply select based mostly in your goal).
3# Are You Attending an Event?
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- Wedding, household reunion, commencement → B-2
- Business coaching, convention, seminar → B-1
4# Are You Planning to Visit a Doctor or Undergo Medical Treatment?
5# From a Recently Restricted Country?
If you’re from one of many nations affected by the June 2025 journey restrictions (e.g., Iran, Somalia, Pakistan):
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- Expect longer processing instances, extra scrutiny, and potential visa denials
- Apply early, and carry sturdy proof of return ties (job, household, training).
Should you apply for US Visit or Tourist Visa?
Following desk will provide help to navigate which sort of US visa would be the proper possibility for you:
| Visit Purpose/Scenario | Your Best Visa |
|---|---|
| Vacation within the U.S. | B-2 |
| Visit household/buddies | B-2 |
| Business convention or coaching | B-1 |
| Touring AND assembly purchasers | B-1/B-2 |
| Seeking medical therapy | B-2 |
| Attending a marriage or funeral | B-2 |
| Negotiating contracts (not working) | B-1 |
Examples of What You Can and Cannot Do on US Visit/Tourist Visa
| Activity | B-1 Visa | B-2 Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Attend a enterprise convention | ✅ | ❌ |
| Go on a trip | ❌ | ✅ |
| Visit a sick relative | ❌ | ✅ |
| Receive brief-time period unpaid coaching from a U.S. firm | ✅ | ❌ |
| Attend a household wedding ceremony | ❌ | ✅ |
| Travel for medical therapy | ❌ | ✅ |
US Visit or Tourist Visa Application Comparison, Purpose, Eligibility and New Policies FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
