ESTA INFORMATION
US B1/B2 visitor visa: when ESTA is not an option
If you are not eligible for ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or your ESTA was refused, you need a B1/B2 visitor visa to travel to the USA. Below are the facts as published on travel.state.gov (US Department of State).
Who needs a B1/B2 visa instead of ESTA
- •Citizens of countries outside the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This includes many English-speaking countries: for example, citizens of India, the Philippines and Nigeria are not in the VWP and need a visa. Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore are VWP countries, so their citizens can normally use ESTA.
- •People who cannot use ESTA or whose authorisation was refused. For example, VWP citizens who have been to Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, or to Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, or who are also nationals of certain of these countries, generally have to apply for a visa (limited exceptions apply).
- •B1 = business travel; B2 = tourism, medical treatment or visiting family and friends.
Check your own situation on travel.state.gov and the list of VWP countries at dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program.
Fee (US Department of State)
| B1/B2 visitor visa — MRV application fee | US$185 |
|---|
Amount as published on travel.state.gov and subject to change. Interview wait times vary by location, season and visa category, so apply well ahead of your trip.
Key rules
- •Interview: usually required (with limited exceptions).
- •Admission and length of stay: decided by the CBP officer at the border (Form I-94). A visa does not guarantee entry.
- •After a refusal (section 214(b)): you can apply again if your circumstances have changed — see “Visa Denials” on travel.state.gov.
How to apply (travel.state.gov)
- Complete the online DS-160 form and print the confirmation page for your interview.
- Pay the US$185 visa application (MRV) fee.
- Schedule an interview at the US embassy or consulate where you live.
- Attend the interview — the consular officer decides whether you qualify (digital fingerprints are usually taken).
Have ready, among other things:
- • A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay
- • The DS-160 confirmation page
- • Proof of payment of the MRV fee
- • A photo (uploaded with the DS-160)
- • Evidence of the purpose of your trip, your intention to return home and how you will pay for the trip (may be requested)
Official sources
- travel.state.gov — Visitor Visa (B1/B2)
- travel.state.gov — Fees
- dhs.gov — Visa Waiver Program countries
- cbp.gov — VWP travel and nationality restrictions (FAQ)
This is an independent information service, not a government website. Information and fees can change — always check the official details on travel.state.gov before you apply.