USA requisitos de visa 2026 — B-2 Tourist Visa & ESTA Lista de documentos requeridos
| USA requisitos de visa — Datos clave 2026 | |
|---|---|
| ESTA (VWP) | USD 21 — 90 days, eligible nationalities only |
| B-1/B-2 Tourist Visa | USD 185 MRV fee — up to 6 months |
| DS-160 Form | Mandatory for all visa applicants |
| Passport Validity | Minimum 6 months beyond intended stay (or per treaty) |
| Photo Requirement | 51x51mm (2x2 inch), white background, <6 months old |
| Financial Evidence | Bank statements, tax returns, property deeds |
| Ties to Home Country | Employment letter, property, family — to show non-immigrant intent |
Descripción general de USA requisitos de entrada 2026
The United States has two primary entry pathways for tourists: the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) with ESTA, and the B-1/B-2 Tourist/Business Visa. Citizens of over 40 countries participate in the VWP and may travel to the USA for up to 90 days with a valid ESTA authorisation, available at esta.cbp.dhs.gov for USD 21. All other nationalities must apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate.
The B-2 tourist visa is the most common US visa for travellers who do not qualify for ESTA. It requires completing the DS-160 online application, paying the USD 185 MRV fee, and attending a consular interview. The interview is a critical step; applicants must demonstrate strong ties to their home country and genuine non-immigrant intent.
Lista de documentos requeridos for USA B-2 Visa 2026
- Valid passport — minimum 6 months validity beyond stay (unless covered by treaty) — at least 1 blank page
- Completed DS-160 form (online at ceac.state.gov)
- MRV fee payment confirmation — USD 185
- Interview appointment confirmation letter (from US embassy website)
- Passport photo — 51x51mm (2×2 inch), white background, <6 months old
- Financial evidence — bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs
- Ties to home country — employer letter, property deeds, family documents
Criterios de elegibilidad
The key test for a US B-2 visa is overcoming the presumption of immigrant intent. Applicants must prove to the consular officer that they have strong ties to their home country — through employment, property, family, or other obligations — that will compel them to return after their US visit. Prior US visa refusals and overstays significantly reduce approval chances.
Cómo solicitar for a US B-2 Visa
Complete the DS-160 form online and pay the USD 185 MRV fee. Schedule your interview at the nearest US embassy or consulate at ustraveldocs.com. Attend the interview with all required documents. Visa processing after the interview typically takes 3–5 business days for approved applications, but administrative processing may add 2–10 weeks. Check travel.state.gov for current wait times.
Categorias de Visa
| Category | Visa Type | Duration | Fee | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist/Visitor | B-1 (Business Visitor) | Up to 6 months | USD 185 | DS-160, interview, business purpose letter, ties to home country |
| Tourist/Visitor | B-2 (Tourist/Medical) | Up to 6 months | USD 185 | DS-160, interview, travel itinerary, financial evidence |
| Tourist/Visitor | ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | 90 days | USD 21 | Passport from VWP country, no prior visa refusals/overstays |
| Work | H-1B (Specialty Occupation) | 3 years (extendable to 6) | USD 185 + USD 460 petition | Bachelor's degree, employer sponsorship, labor condition application |
| Work | H-2A (Temporary Agricultural) | Up to 1 year | USD 185 + petition | Employer sponsorship, seasonal agricultural work |
| Work | H-2B (Temporary Non-Agricultural) | Up to 1 year | USD 185 + petition | Employer sponsorship, temporary non-agricultural work |
| Work | L-1A/L-1B (Intracompany Transfer) | Up to 7 years (L-1A) / 5 years (L-1B) | USD 185 + USD 460 petition | Managerial/executive role or specialized knowledge, 1 year employment with company |
| Work | O-1 (Extraordinary Ability) | Up to 3 years | USD 185 + USD 460 petition | Extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics |
| Work | E-2 (Treaty Investor) | 2 years (renewable) | USD 315 | Substantial investment in US business, treaty country citizen |
| Work | TN (USMCA Professional) | 3 years (renewable) | USD 185 | Canadian/Mexican citizen, qualifying profession under USMCA |
| Student | F-1 (Academic Student) | Duration of study + 60 days | USD 185 + USD 350 SEVIS | I-20 from SEVP-certified school, financial evidence |
| Student | M-1 (Vocational Student) | Duration of study + 30 days | USD 185 + USD 350 SEVIS | I-20 from vocational institution, financial proof |
| Student | J-1 (Exchange Visitor) | Duration of program | USD 185 + USD 220 SEVIS | DS-2019 from exchange program sponsor |
| Family | K-1 (Fiance(e)) | 90 days to marry | USD 185 + USD 535 petition | US citizen petitioner, proof of genuine relationship, meeting within 2 years |
| Family | IR/CR (Spouse of US Citizen) | Permanent | USD 185 + USD 535 petition + USD 325 immigrant fee | Marriage certificate, I-130 petition from US citizen spouse |
| Investor | EB-5 (Immigrant Investor) | Permanent (conditional 2 years) | USD 185 + USD 3,675 petition | USD 1,050,000 investment (USD 800,000 in TEA), job creation for 10 US workers |
| Transit | C-1 (Transit) | Up to 29 days | USD 185 | Confirmed onward ticket, visa to destination country |
| Crew | C-1/D (Transit/Crew) | Duration of port stay | USD 185 | Airline or shipping company employment letter |
| Diplomatic | A-1/A-2 (Diplomatic) | Duration of assignment | Free | Diplomatic passport, government note verbale |
| Media | I (Media/Journalist) | Duration of assignment | USD 185 | Press credentials, employer letter from media organization |
Tiempos y Tarifas
| Visa Type | Standard Processing | Expedited Processing | Expedited Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESTA (VWP) | Usually instant (up to 72 hours) | N/A | N/A |
| B-1/B-2 Tourist/Business | 3-5 business days after interview | N/A (no expedite available) | N/A |
| H-1B | 3-6 months (regular), subject to cap lottery | 15 calendar days (Premium Processing) | USD 2,805 |
| L-1A/L-1B | 2-6 months | 15 calendar days (Premium Processing) | USD 2,805 |
| O-1 | 2-6 months | 15 calendar days (Premium Processing) | USD 2,805 |
| F-1 Student | 2-8 weeks after interview | N/A | N/A |
| K-1 Fiance | 12-18 months total | N/A | N/A |
| EB-5 Investor | 24-52 months | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 Treaty Investor | 2-6 weeks after interview | N/A | N/A |
Salud y Requisitos de Entrada
- Medical exam (immigrant visas only): Required for all immigrant visa applicants (Green Card). Performed by a USCIS-designated panel physician. Includes physical exam, blood tests, chest X-ray, and review of vaccination history.
- Vaccinations (immigrant visas): Must show proof of: Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Polio, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis A & B, Influenza, Varicella, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus (age-appropriate), and COVID-19.
- Nonimmigrant visas: No routine medical exam required for tourist, student, or work visas. However, applicants with known communicable diseases (e.g., tuberculosis) may be required to undergo examination.
- Police clearance: Required for immigrant visas — applicants aged 16+ must provide police certificates from all countries where they lived for 6+ months after age 16.
- Biometrics: Fingerprints collected at the visa interview (consulate) or ASC (Application Support Center) for adjustment of status applicants within the US.
- Inadmissibility grounds: Communicable diseases of public health significance, drug abuse/addiction, mental disorders with harmful behavior, and failure to show required vaccinations can result in visa denial under INA Section 212(a)(1).
Extension y Estancia Excesiva
- B-1/B-2 extension: Can be extended by filing Form I-539 with USCIS before current status expires. Maximum total stay generally 1 year. Fee: USD 370. Processing: 5-12 months.
- ESTA/VWP: Cannot be extended. Maximum 90 days with no exceptions. Must leave the US before the 90 days expire.
- F-1 Student: Valid for duration of status (D/S). Program extensions require updated I-20 from the school. No separate extension filing needed.
- H-1B Work: Extendable in 3-year increments up to 6 years total. Extensions beyond 6 years possible if I-140 approved or labor certification pending for 365+ days (AC21).
- Change of status: Possible within the US by filing I-539 (nonimmigrant) or I-485 (immigrant). Cannot change status if entered on VWP/ESTA, C-1 transit, or crew visa.
- Overstay consequences: Overstaying more than 180 days triggers a 3-year re-entry bar. Overstaying 1+ year triggers a 10-year bar. ESTA overstays permanently disqualify from VWP.
Rechazo y Apelaciones
- Common refusal reasons: Section 214(b) — failure to demonstrate non-immigrant intent (most common for B and F visas). Insufficient financial evidence, weak ties to home country, prior immigration violations, incomplete DS-160, criminal inadmissibility, prior visa fraud.
- Section 221(g) — Administrative Processing: Application placed on hold for additional review. Can last weeks to months. Applicant may be asked to submit additional documents. Not a final refusal.
- Appeal process: There is no formal appeal for nonimmigrant visa refusals. Applicants may reapply at any time by paying a new MRV fee and scheduling a new interview. The consular officer's decision is generally final under INA 104(a).
- Reapplication: No mandatory waiting period. However, applicants should only reapply when their circumstances have materially changed. Submitting the same application repeatedly without changes is unlikely to result in a different outcome.
- Immigrant visa refusals: May be overcome by submitting requested evidence (for 221(g)) or filing a waiver (for certain inadmissibility grounds under INA 212(d)(3) or I-601).