Fancy a trip to the United States? Every year, the country attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. There’s no doubt that the diversity of the landscape has a lot to do with it. From the immensity of Manhattan’s skyscrapers to the century-old trees of Yellowstone, from the neon lights of Las Vegas to the magnificent spectacle of the Grand Canyon, everyone can build their own American dream and unforgettable memories. However, entering the United States is no easy matter. The U.S. authorities are very keen on homeland security, and a travel document will always be required before leaving for the United States. Knowing which one to apply for USA tourist visas can be a real headache. We’ll try to break down everything there is to know to make it easier for you.
The USA tourist visa B
First of all, there are two types of USA tourist B visas. The USA tourist visa B1 is intended for people traveling to the United States on business. The holder of a USA tourist B1 is authorized, during his stay in the USA, to attend business meetings, participate in trade shows or conferences and sign contracts.
If the purpose of your trip is purely tourist, if you are visiting family in the USA or if you are going to the USA for medical treatment, you should consider the USA tourist visa B2.
Your trip to the USA can also be a combination of several of the goals mentioned above. It is then possible to obtain a USA tourist visa B1/B2.
Here is the procedure for obtaining a USA B1/B2 tourist visa:
- go to the Consular Electronic Application Center website and complete the DS-160 online form;
- make an appointment at the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate (U.S. authorities will not contact you, even after you’ve filled out the DS-160 form; it’s up to the applicant to make the arrangements);
- go to the embassy and present your file to the government officer. It is imperative that your file be complete (supporting documents vary from country to country). The U.S. embassy officer you meet during your appointment will examine your file and authorize, or not, the issuance of the USA tourist visa ;
- pay the USA B1/B2 tourist visa application fee of $185.
You’ll receive your visa within a few days, attached to your passport.
The USA tourist visa transit visa
If you are only transiting the United States of America on your way to another country, you need a USA tourist visa transit C visa.
There are 3 types of C visa:
- The C1 is a USA tourist visa for non-US citizens who are authorized to remain on American soil only for the duration of their transit;
- C2 is a transit visa only for people traveling to the United Nations headquarters in New York or members of the United Nations transiting through the United States on their way to their final destination;
- The C3 is a transit visa for members of a foreign government delegation, transiting the United States on their way to their final destination, as part of a government mission.
ESTA travel authorization
If you are a French national or a foreign national from another Visa Waiver Program (VWP) member country, you do not need a visa to transit or travel to the USA.
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization, and is a simplified way of obtaining authorization to enter the USA.
The application is made exclusively via an online ESTA form on the U.S. Custom and Border Protection website, or by using the services of a private company.
The conditions to be eligible for this measure are as follows:
- be a national of a member country of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP);
- be in possession of a biometric passport or an electronic passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date on which you intend to travel;
- travel to the U.S. for tourism or business up to 90 days. An ESTA application is also required for simple transit to the USA;
- have a credit card for online payment;
The main differences with a USA tourist visa are the maximum length of stay (90 days maximum for ESTA, 6 months for a B1/B2 tourist visa) and the validity period (2 years before expiry for ESTA, 10 years for a B1/B2 visa).
Both documents entitle the holder to multiple entries into the U.S. during their period of validity.
All the visas and authorizations mentioned in this article are only valid for tourist, business or transit visits to the USA. They are classified as documents for non-immigrants. As such, they do not entitle the holder to work, study,intern or live in the USA.
Obtaining a tourist visa or ESTA authorization does not entitle you to a green card. If you wish to expatriate to the U.S. and become a permanent resident, please contact the U.S. consular authorities in your country to find out how to proceed.