Visitor visas

Overview

Tourism, business, and visa-free travel

The B-1/B-2 covers most short-term visits: tourism, business meetings, medical treatment, and family events. Nationals of 40+ countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days through the Visa Waiver Program. Neither category authorizes employment.

The B-2 (tourism) covers vacation, family visits, medical treatment, and brief amateur events. The B-1 (business) covers meetings, negotiations, training, and conferences — but not paid work. USCIS commonly issues a combined B-1/B-2 stamp.

If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you can apply for ESTA and visit for up to 90 days without a visa. A prior visa refusal, certain criminal history, or travel to designated countries may disqualify you from ESTA.

Extending a B visa or changing status is possible but strict. Overstaying your admitted period triggers bars on future entry and can affect future visa applications.

Activity · daily, last 90 days
1 indexed update
Jan 19, 2026 → Apr 18, 2026 · 90 days
Policy climate · last 90 days
Tone of coverage
100% neutral
Based on 1 indexed update in the last 90 days

Visa types in this category

B-1/B-2Business and tourism visitor visa — meetings, vacation, medical, family events. Available to most nationalities.Visa Waiver / ESTAVisa-free 90-day entry for nationals of 40+ countries via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.

High-signal items · last 90 days

What to watch

Ranked by impact: rule changes, fee updates, open comment periods, executive actions, and processing shifts. Not just newest — most consequential.

  • Published State Dept
    ProcessingEmbassy / posts
    Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Applicants in Their Country of Residence

    USCIS is updating procedures to allow consular officers to adjudicate nonimmigrant visa applications in applicants' countries of residence rather than requiring attendance at a specific consular post. This change reduces travel requirements and streamlines the visa interview and…

  • Published Fed. Register
    Open for comments
    30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

    The Department of State is seeking public feedback on the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) information collection process. STEP is a voluntary service that allows U.S. citizens traveling abroad to register their trip with the nearest embassy or consulate. The 30-day…

    Public comments accepted through May 11, 2026.

  • Published State Dept
    Processing
    Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of U.S. Public Benefits Reliance

    U.S. immigration authorities are updating visa processing procedures for nationals from certain countries where immigration officials assessed elevated risk of reliance on U.S. public benefits. The specific countries and procedural changes are being implemented by USCIS and the…

  • Published State Dept
    Embassy / posts
    Limited Services Available at the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon

    The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon is operating with limited services due to current conditions in the country. Persons seeking visa services or other embassy assistance should expect reduced availability and may experience delays or be directed to alternative locations.

  • Published USCIS
    Update
    Ten Indian Nationals Indicted for Visa Fraud Conspiracy

    Federal prosecutors indicted 10 Indian nationals for participating in a visa fraud conspiracy, with USCIS providing critical investigative support. The indictments result from a joint effort to prosecute individuals who allegedly attempted to fraudulently obtain U.S. visas. This…

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