B-2 tourist visitors

Qualifying temporary visits

B-2 is used for qualifying visitor purposes such as tourism or visiting family and friends. A proposed stay should be assessed according to what the person actually intends to do. Employment and study that require another classification should not be treated as ordinary tourist activities.

Some travellers require a visa, while others may qualify for a nationality-based exception or the Visa Waiver Program. Those procedures have their own conditions and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Period and conditions of admission

There is a limit to the permitted stay. A visa’s expiration date is not the same as the admitted-until date or the conditions governing admission. Check the admission record and resolve any uncertainty promptly, particularly before planning an extended visit.

Extensions and changes in the purpose of stay

If you wish to remain longer or change the purpose of the stay, seek advice before the existing permission ends. A possible extension does not mean approval is automatic, and a different activity may require a different route.

Our firm can review the proposed visit, previous immigration history and any questions about status. The assessment requires an accurate description of the trip rather than a generic invitation or an assumed standard period of admission.

General information only; it does not replace advice about an individual case.