In 2025 there are multiple changes has been recently introduced making the process to get USA Tourist Visa more complicated and if you are applying for the USA B1/B2 Tourist Visa in 2025 after March 31st, 2025 this blog will help you with the step to step guide.
U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants can apply online to get a USA B1/B2 Tourist Visa and book the appointment online by themselves followed by completing the DS 160 application, recently many changes has been made on the website and new rules and regulations has been implemented with revision of Visa fee.
To apply for your nonimmigrant visa for travel to the United States, The first thing is to apply online on the US Travel Docs Portal and create your profile select the required Visa Class and complete your application followed by scheduling the appointment and Interview.
In this blog, we will guide you through how you can step by step create your profile and complete your USA Visa online application Registration, this process is when you are applying for a tourist Visa from India as every country has a different portal though the process is almost the same.
For more information you can refer to and read our another blogs on USA Tourist Visa.
Steps by Step process for U.S. Nonimmigrant B1/B2 Tourist Visa
Step 1 – Choose Location and Non – Immigrant Visa
If you are a U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants applying for B1/B2 Tourist Visa from India then you have visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ and Choose your specific location and for Indian applicant it is available in both Hindi and English.
It will redirect you to Apply for a U.S. Visa from India where you can choose A Nonimmigrant Visa will take you to the main page where you can see the entire process to How to apply for nonimmigrant visa.
Step 2 – Sign Up Now
Select the Visa Login on top right corner and sign up now register yourself and remember and make a note of the security questions you will be redirected to the homepage where you can start a New application after completing the process you have to enter the Ds 160 Application ID.
Step 3 – Complete DS 160 Application
Next step to complete your Non Immigrant DS160 Visa Application where you select a location and start an application and make a note of the application ID number which will the confirmation number required every time when ever you will be retrieving the application.
DS 160 Guidelines and General Information
- You must complete and submit your DS-160 application online prior to making an appointment.
- Complete and correct Information need to be provided for the applicant.
- Every applicant must have their own DS 160 application filled.
- DS 160 Confirmation Number should be entered on profile and match with the Appointment confirmation.
As per New rules the DS 160 online application once generated is valid for 30 days and within that time frame the application need to be completed else have to create a new one, Once submitted and got the confirmation of DS 160 it is valid for a year for any queries on completing DS 160 Check DS 160 FAQ’s.
Step 4 – Payment of Visa Fees
After determining the correct visa type and successful submission of Completed DS 160 you have to enter the DS 160 application and pay visa fee. The Visa Fee can be checked against Visa types and application fee amounts as you are applying for Business and Tourism visit Business/Tourist visa B1/B2.
Each visa applicant including children are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee whether a visa is issued or not before booking an appointment.
There are various Fee payment options are available to pay for the VISA Fee online which are NEFT, Pay using Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Pay using Debit Card/Credit Card and Payment at AXIS Bank / Citibank.
Step 5 – Scheduling your interview
All Visa applicant can schedule their interview within the next business day after paying your visa application fee as after payment it usually takes 4 hour to one business day to get active.
You are almost ready to schedule your visa appointment! Now you will need to login to your profile and answer the security questions and click on schedule the appointment, you have to schedule two appointments OFC for Visa application centre and Visa Interview with Consular.
First schedule the OFC Visa application centre appointment where you can select among the five centres which are in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai (soon new location Ahmedabad and Bangalore will also be available) The OFC appointment must be booked for one day before your Visa Interview with consular.
Note: There are only two attempt for rescheduling the appointment as per new rules.
Step 6 – Attend Interview
For your Visa Application /OFC Interview you must carry the following Documents.
- A passport valid for travel to the United States with validity dates at least six months.
- Your DS-160 confirmation page.
- Your appointment confirmation page.
- One photograph for applicant under 14 years of age all drop box cases.
Hours of Operations for Visa Application
- Biometrics Appointment – Monday to Friday (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
on Sundays ( 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
For Consular Visa Interview at Embassy
Below mentioned documents required for Interview
- Documentation preparation (Original documents required)
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Interview appointment letter – only latest date of appointment
- Professional employment letter
- Education certificates
- Bank statements (last 6 months)
- Property ownership documents (if applicable)
- Supporting documents:
- Travel itinerary only if booked
- Hotel reservations (optional)
- Previous passport(s) with travel history
- Tax returns (last 3 years)
Step 7 – Track Passport
Once your Visa is approved you track your passport and collect the passport from the pickup location selected while scheduling the appointment. Applicant will also receive a SMS and Email for collection of their passport.
Passport can be collected from Visa application centre from Monday to Friday ( 10:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m.) and on Sunday ( 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Passport Delivery options are also available at minimal rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Where to apply for USA B1/B2 Business and Tourist Visa?
You can apply it on USTravelDocs Portal, the process is online and simple completing the application by following the steps.
-
Where to access the Non-immigrant DS 160 Visa application?
Ds 160 is an online application that every applicant including children must have their own DS 160 Form Visa application, the application can be start, retrieve and submit before booking your interview.
-
How to track your passport for B1/B2 USA Tourist Visa?
If your Visa is approved, you can track the passport online and collect it from the pickup location and when the passport is ready for collection an SMS and email will also be received.
-
How to check the USA Visa Application Status?
Now you can check the DS-160 Visa application online through Visa Status Check.
-
What is the expiry of DS 160 application?
After new rules the DS 160 once started is suppose to be completed and submitted within 30 Days and once submitted it is valid for a year.
-
What happens if DS 160 Application expires?
If the DS 160 expires by any reasons a new DS 160 application need to be filled before booking the appointment.
-
DS 160 application does not match with one in Appointment Confirmation?
At the time of interview it is mandatory that DS 160 Confirmation should match with one in Appointment confirmation after new rules primary applicant DS 160 cannot be changed as in past carry the old and new DS 160 works but now rescheduling is the only option.
-
How many rescheduling appointment attempt for B1/B2 Visa?
After 31st March, 2025 only two attempts are available for rescheduling.
-
What are the changes in DS 160 in April 2025?
Now the applicants applying for the Visa must have to complete and submit the DS160 prior to making the appointment, this is for the security reasons which in future reduce appointment wait time.
