What does a B1/B2 visa cover?
As published by the U.S. Department of State, the B-1 covers business visits and the B-2 covers tourism, visiting friends or relatives and medical treatment; most Indian applicants receive a combined B1/B2. It does not allow work of any kind in the United States. The visa's expiry is the last day you may enter, not the length of your stay.
What are the steps from DS-160 to interview?
You complete the DS-160 form online with a digital photo, create a profile on the scheduling site, pay the fee, and book two appointments: biometrics at a visa application centre and the interview at the embassy or a consulate. On the day you carry the documents listed below. Wait times for interviews vary by city and season.
- Complete the DS-160 online and upload a photo that meets the State Department's rules. Print the confirmation page.
- Create a profile on the scheduling site the U.S. Mission in India uses, and pay the visa fee.
- Book a visa application centre appointment for fingerprints and photo, and the consular interview.
- Attend the visa centre, then the interview, with the documents below.
- If approved, the passport is kept for the visa and returned through the delivery option you chose.
As published by the U.S. Mission in India, if you correct a DS-160 after booking, you carry both the original and the corrected confirmation pages, or rebook with the new number.
What does it cost?
As of November 2026, the U.S. Department of State publishes a non-refundable application fee of US$185 for the B1/B2. It is paid before the interview, in rupees at the consular exchange rate the U.S. Mission sets. A refusal does not return the fee. Other fees can apply in some cases, and Arika confirms the full figure in writing before you pay.
What should you carry to the interview?
The State Department lists the essentials: a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay, the DS-160 confirmation page, the fee receipt and, if the online photo upload failed, one printed photo. Supporting papers on your work, finances and the trip are not on that list but can be asked for, so carry them organised and ready.
| Document | Required or supporting |
|---|---|
| Passport valid six months beyond the stay, and old passports | Required |
| DS-160 confirmation page | Required |
| Fee receipt and appointment letter | Required |
| Printed photo, only if the upload failed | Required in that case |
| Employment letter, payslips or business proof | Supporting |
| Bank statements and income-tax returns | Supporting |
| Itinerary, or a US doctor's letter for medical travel | Supporting |
The State Department says an invitation letter or affidavit of support is not needed and is not a factor in the decision, and that you should not buy tickets until you have the visa.
What does the consular officer look for?
The officer decides whether you qualify under US law, chiefly whether you have strong ties to India and will leave the United States after a visit of limited length, and whether you can pay for it. As the State Department puts it, applicants qualify on their own ties abroad, not on assurances from family or friends in the US.
Can a renewal skip the interview?
Some renewals can. As published by the U.S. Department of State, applicants renewing a visa in certain classes may be eligible for an interview waiver, which means dropping documents off instead of attending an interview. Eligibility rules are set by the U.S. Mission and change; a consular officer may still call any applicant for an interview.
Where Arika fits
Arika Visa prepares US visitor visa applications in Mumbai: the DS-160 from your answers, which you approve, appointment booking, and a document check before the interview. You attend the visa centre and interview yourself, and only the consular officer decides.
Visa services in MumbaiSources
Official and primary pages this guide was checked against on 14 November 2026. Figures are as published by each body; Arika confirms the current figure in writing when you apply.
- U.S. Department of State: Visitor visatravel.state.gov
- U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India: Visasin.usembassy.gov
- U.S. Department of State: Form DS-160 (Consular Electronic Application Center)ceac.state.gov
- U.S. Department of State: Visa appointment wait timestravel.state.gov