US B1/B2 Visa Guide
from India.
DS-160 walkthroughs, interview prep scripts, and financial proof guides. Skip the ₹50,000 consultant fee.
United States Visa basics for Indians.
The US B1/B2 visa is the standard non-immigrant visitor visa for Indians travelling to the United States for tourism, business, or medical treatment. An in-person interview at the US Consulate is mandatory. The visa fee of $185 is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Types of US visa for Indians.
The B1/B2 is a combined visa covering two categories:
| Purpose | What’s Allowed | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|
| B1 — Business | Meetings, conferences, negotiations, training. No paid employment in the US. | Up to 6 months |
| B2 — Tourism | Holidays, sightseeing, visiting family, medical treatment. | Up to 6 months |
| B1/B2 Combined | Most Indian applicants receive the combined B1/B2 which covers both purposes. | Up to 6 months |
Which consulate is fastest?
Interview wait times vary significantly across the 5 US Consulates in India. Chennai typically has the shortest wait times. You can apply at any consulate regardless of your state of residence.
| Consulate | Typical Wait (2026) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 4–8 weeks | Generally fastest — check first |
| Hyderabad | 6–12 weeks | Good option for South India |
| Mumbai | 8–16 weeks | High volume city |
| Delhi | 8–20 weeks | Longest waits typically |
| Kolkata | 4–10 weeks | Least known, often shorter |
Complete document checklist.
US visa documents are submitted digitally via the DS-160 form, and physical documents are brought to the interview. The visa officer has full discretion — the strongest applications combine financial proof with clear ties to India.
- Valid PassportMinimum 6 months validity beyond intended period of stay in the US.
- DS-160 Confirmation PageCompleted online at ceac.state.gov. Print the confirmation page with barcode — bring to interview.
- MRV Fee Payment Receipt$185 paid at designated bank or online. Proof required to book interview appointment.
- Appointment Confirmation LetterPrinted appointment letter from ustraveldocs.com. Required for entry to the consulate.
- PhotographUS visa photo spec: 51mm × 51mm (2″×2″), white background, taken within 6 months. Consulate provides photo if needed.
- Bank Statements — Last 6 MonthsConsistent balance. Ideally ₹5 lakh+ for first-time applicants. Shows ability to fund US trip without working.
- Employment / Business ProofSalaried: employer letter on letterhead + salary slips. Self-employed: business registration + ITR 3 years. Retired: pension documents.
- US Itinerary and Hotel BookingsRough itinerary showing where you plan to travel in the US. Hotel bookings help but are not strictly required before interview.
- Ties to IndiaProperty documents, family ties, stable employment — all demonstrate you will return to India after your visit.
- Prior US Visa (if applicable)Previous US visas — even expired — should be presented. Shows prior compliance.
Common refusal reasons.
| Refusal Reason | How to Fix It |
|---|---|
| 214(b) — Immigrant intent | Most common refusal. Officer not convinced you will return. Strengthen ties to India: property, family, employment. |
| Insufficient financial proof | Show consistent savings over 6 months. Include ITR, salary slips, bank statements together. |
| Weak interview answers | Vague or evasive answers raise red flags. Know your itinerary, purpose, and employment situation clearly. |
| Inconsistent information | DS-160 answers must match what you say in the interview. Prepare thoroughly. |
| Prior visa refusal not disclosed | Always disclose prior refusals in DS-160 — even for other countries. Non-disclosure is treated seriously. |
How to apply from India.
The US visa process is the most interview-intensive of all destinations. Preparation for the interview is as important as the documents.
Complete DS-160 online
Go to ceac.state.gov. Complete the Non-Immigrant Visa Application (DS-160). Save your application ID frequently. Print the confirmation page with barcode when complete.
Pay the $185 MRV fee
Pay at the designated bank or online at ustraveldocs.com. This fee is non-refundable. Keep the payment receipt — required for booking the interview.
Book your interview appointment
Log in at ustraveldocs.com. Choose your consulate. Select the earliest available slot — waits are 2–6 months. Book as early as possible.
Prepare for the interview
Know your travel purpose, itinerary, employer details, and ties to India cold. Practice answering in English or Hindi. Our Complete tier includes a full interview preparation script.
Attend the consulate interview
Arrive 15 minutes before appointment. Bring all documents. Biometrics collected. Interview typically 2–5 minutes with a visa officer.
Wait for passport return
If approved: passport returned within 3–5 working days with visa stamped. If refused: you receive a refusal slip with reason code.
How fast can you get it?
| Service | Processing Time | Extra Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3–5 days after interview | No extra charge | After successful interview |
| Interview wait time | 2–6 months | N/A | Book the appointment as early as possible |
| Emergency appointment | Available in genuine emergencies | No extra fee | Medical emergency, bereavement — prove urgency |
Everything you want to know.
- No. The MRV fee of $185 is strictly non-refundable regardless of the outcome — approval or refusal. You must pay again when reapplying after a refusal.
- 214(b) is the most common US visa refusal code. It means the officer was not satisfied that you have strong enough ties to India to ensure you will return. To overcome it, strengthen evidence of property ownership, family ties, employment stability, and financial roots in India.
- Yes — there is no mandatory waiting period. However, reapplying with the same documents and the same answers will likely result in another refusal. Address the specific reason for refusal. Include a brief note in your new application acknowledging the prior refusal and what has changed.
- Chennai typically has the shortest interview wait times. Kolkata is also generally faster than Delhi or Mumbai. You can apply at any consulate regardless of your city of residence — check current wait times at travel.state.gov.
- Hotel bookings are helpful to show at the interview but are not a mandatory document. A rough itinerary is more important. Avoid booking non-refundable hotels before you have your visa.
- Most Indian applicants receive a 10-year multiple entry B1/B2 visa. The validity is at the officer’s discretion. Shorter validity (1 or 5 years) is sometimes given to first-time applicants or those with weaker profiles.
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