Are you looking to temporarily visit the United States? The B-2 Tourist visa may be for you. Contact a New York immigration lawyer from our firm today.

Are you looking to temporarily visit the United States? No matter whether this is for tourism purposes, for sheer pleasure or even for medical treatment, it is important that you look into acquiring the B-2 visa, also commonly referred to as the tourist visa.

Some common purposes for seeking a B-2 visa:

Spending a holiday with American relatives

Touring the country’s famous landmarks

Visiting with friends and family

Participating in an amateur sporting event

Seeking medical treatment exclusive to the U.S.

All of the above would be valid reasons for a person to lawfully enter the United States for a temporary reason. In the event that you or your loved are looking to travel to the U.S. for medical treatment, the consular officer may require further documentation during your visa interview to ensure that you have a valid purpose for travel and that you have a valid medical need. Officials may request the following from B-2 applicants seeking medical treatment:

Documentation of a medical diagnosis from a local physician explaining the nature of the condition, injury, or illness and the reason why you need treatment in the United States.

Written letter from a licensed physician, medical facility, or healthcare provider in the U.S. stating that they will be treating your specific ailment. This letter must also contain details about the projected length and cost of treatment, including applicable doctors’ fees, hospitalization costs, and all medical-related expenses.

Proof that your living expenses, transportation, and medical costs will be paid and that you have sufficient funds to return home once your medical treatment has concluded. Consular officers will accept proof in the form of bank statements, other statements showing income or savings, or certified copies of income tax returns. Tax returns may either be yours or the person or organization financially responsible for your medical treatment.

Regardless of the purpose of your particular visit, or you specific medical need, ensuring that you have an experienced New York immigration lawyer by your side can help you navigate this time-consuming process as swiftly and successfully as possible. For those who require medical treatment, attentive representation and assistance can make a significant difference in helping you obtain the visa you need to travel to the United States.

Process of Applying for a B-2 Visa

If you are looking a B-2 visa, there are certain steps that must be taken certain requirements that must be met. The first thing that must be proven is that you are indeed only planning for a limited amount of time. If there is doubt as to how long you will be visiting the United States. Some of factors that will be taken into consideration will include the ties that you have abroad. Do you have a home in your home country? Do you have business or family ties that would you require to come home? All of these will be helpful in proving your intent to return home after a short, finite period in the U.S. It also must be proven that you are financially capable of covering yourself during your trip.

If you are eligible, you will then be required to apply for your visa at either a U.S. Embassy or a Consulate that has jurisdiction of your place of permanent residence. If you are between the ages of 14 and 79, you will be required to enter into an interview; those who are younger and who are older are generally exempt from this process. You will also be required to pay certain fees, submit to a fingerprint scan, and may be subjected to certain administrative processing before being accepted.

The following forms and documents are required for application:

Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160

Valid passport for travel into the United States

One 2×2 photograph of your face

You will also be required to pay the visa application fee, as well as the visa issuance fee.

Importance of Hiring a New York Immigration & Visa Lawyer

When looking to apply for a visa, it can be tempting to think that you can do it yourself. After all, there are plenty of DIY sites out there that can walk you through it. This, however, is a dangerous way of thinking. When it is your future on the line, you need to be confident that you are doing everything possible to expedite the process and to complete it as quickly and accurately as possible.

If you are unsure about anything, if you accidentally fill out a form incorrectly or miss a deadline, it could have lasting and even permanent repercussions for your overall trip. At Pozo Goldstein, LLP, we know that when you are seeking to visit the United States for tourist reasons, that you are likely on a deadline and are in need of legal assistance to help finalize the plans for your trip and get everything in order. We are here to help, so contact a New York immigration lawyer from our firm today.