Visitors to the United States, including those who intend to stay for an extended period of time, will need to obtain a visa from the Department of State. Temporary visitors or those not intending to permanently reside in the USA, no matter how long their stay may be, are eligible for a variety of different kinds of visas depending on the purpose of their visit. Anyone who travels to the USA for tourism, for example, will generally need to obtain a B-2 visa; another popular option is the B-1/B-2 visa, which allows visitors to conduct business on behalf of a firm back home while they are tourists.
The United States is fairly liberal about granting visas for tourism and business; in 2010, for example, more than 3.5 million such documents were issued. Some 70% of all applicants for these types of visas are typically granted permission to enter the United States.
How to get a US visa
In order to get a US visa there are several steps to be completed, some of which may involve delays. The best place to start is at a US consulate, where consular officials will be able to explain the process in greater detail and specify the documents that will be needed. These may vary according to the home country in question.
After collecting all the required documentation, depending on the country of residence, visa applicants may have to present themselves for an in-person interview with a consular official. Upon passing the interview, they will be issued with immigration papers to present to US officials at their point of entry, generally an airport.
Increasing the chances of getting a US visa
Whenever possible, submitted documentation should emphasise certain critical points that consular officials will be looking for. These include an intention to stay in the USA for only a limited period of time. If statements, either in writing or during an interview indicate a desire to make the USA a permanent home, the applicant is much less likely to be granted a visa.
Certain kinds of information tend to make a visa approval more likely. Demonstrating strong economic or social ties to a home country is a good idea, since it generally indicates that an applicant will want to return there once his or her visa expires. Proof of a residence outside the United States is another factor in the applicant's favour.
It is also important for an applicant to demonstrate that he or she is unlikely to need public financial assistance during a stay in the United States. Therefore, all applicants should document that they have sufficient savings to cover anticipated expenses while in the USA.
The post 9/11 world
The attack on the World Trade Centre at the beginning of the new millennium caused changes in visa issuance. Tourists from some parts of the world now face much greater scrutiny, but Western Europe is not one of these regions. English speakers have a particular advantage, since they will be able to make themselves fully understood during any visa interview, which usually takes place in English, no matter what the applicant's native language.
With a US tourist visa, foreigners can enjoy a stay in the United States for an extended time, enabling them to see much of the country, from California to Florida, if they wish.
