Visitor visas: overview, tools, and latest updates

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

10 indexed updates

Mar 19, 2026 → Jun 16, 2026 · 90 days

Policy climate · last 90 days

Tone of coverage

90% neutral10% favorable

Based on 10 indexed updates 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 Fed. Register
Open for commentsFees
Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates-Visa and Citizenship Services Fee Changes
The State Department is introducing a new optional $750 expedited interview fee for B-1/B-2 business and tourism visa applicants. Eligible applicants who pay this premium fee can secure an interview appointment at selected posts within ten business days, rather than waiting in…
Public comments accepted through .
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 commentsUpdate
Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision; Visa Waiver Signatory Carrier Program (Form I-775)
CBP is revising its information collection procedures for the Visa Waiver Signatory Carrier Program (Form I-775), which affects airlines and other carriers participating in the Visa Waiver Program. This form is used by carriers to certify passenger information and compliance…
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 .
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 Fed. Register
Fees
Fee for Fingerprints Collected by CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will now charge a fee for collecting fingerprints from applicants seeking unescorted access to CBP security areas at airports. The new fee applies to both paper application filers and certain badge applicants. This is a change in…
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 Fed. Register
Update
Notice of Determinations; Culturally Significant Object Being Imported for Scientific Research and Exhibition
The U.S. has approved the temporary import of a culturally significant object from abroad for scientific research and exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum and National Gallery of Art. This determination allows the object to enter under a temporary agreement with its foreign…

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