The B-1/B-2 tourist visa is for Thai citizens intending to travel to the United States and stay temporarily for tourism, business, or medical treatment.

US B-1 Visa

This visitor visa is for business purposes, such as business agreements or attending business meetings, business partner consultations, participating in contract negotiations or closing deals, and settlement and real estate.

US B-2 Visa

This visitor visa is for recreational purposes, such as visiting friends and relatives, or participating in social or service-oriented activities. Additionally, the B-2 visa is used for medical treatment in the United States. Often, both visas are issued as a single entity, known as the B-1/B-2 visa, because in some cases the purposes of these visas are related.

Requirements for a US tourist visa.

The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act presumes all tourist visa applicants to be intent on immigration. Applicants must prove this presumption by demonstrating the following:

  • The purpose of the trip is temporary, whether for business, medical treatment, or tourism.
  • As a temporary visitor, your stay in the United States is a specific and limited period.
  • While in the United States, you must provide proof of sufficient funds to cover accommodation and expenses so as not to burden the public.

    • Preparing the necessary basic information and documents for a visitor visa application is equally important. These basic documents must be ready before submitting the application to avoid delays in visa processing.

    Documents required when applying for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa.

  • Complete the DS-160 application form.
  • Your current passport should have at least six months of validity remaining beyond the duration of your stay in the United States.
  • Visa photos, as per the photo requirements.
  • Receipt for visa fee payment.
  • There may be additional basic documents that the consular officer will ask for, but this depends on the type of visa applied for and the specific purpose of the visa application.

    • 5 Easy Steps to Apply for a US Tourist Visa

  • Step 1 – Determine the type of visa that best suits your needs. Review general temporary visa requirements to determine which type of visa is suitable for your travel purpose. It might be a B1 or B2 visa.
  • Step 2 – Complete the Online Application. The DS-160 form is an online temporary visa application form for temporary travel to the United States. You must register with your passport information. The information is sent electronically to the U.S. Department of State website via the internet. Therefore, you must log in first using the credentials you used during registration. Consular officers will use the information provided in the DS-160 to consider your visa application along with an interview, as well as determine your eligibility. It is important that you read the guidelines for completing the DS-160 form beforehand.
  • Step 3 – Pay the application fee. You must log in to your online account to proceed with the payment. It is essential to read the visa fee information and online payment methods to avoid future difficulties.
  • Step 4 – Schedule your interview. All U.S. visas require an interview. To schedule your appointment, please ensure you have the following information: your passport number, your visa fee payment receipt number, and the ten-digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page. This step must be completed online, and you must enter the correct information for your visa application.
  • Step 5 – Scheduled Interview: All applicants, regardless of age (except those applying for diplomatic visas), must attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy. Please keep these important points in mind for your interview day. Ensure you arrive at the U.S. Embassy at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You will need to know what to bring and what not to bring. Before your interview, there will be a pre-check process: the documents specified in the DS-160 will be reviewed for necessary corrections; ensure you are applying for the correct visa type; the photo size matches the photo specifications; and you will undergo biometric processing (fingerprint scanning). You will receive assistance from someone within the Consular or Immigration office during the biometric process. During the interview, be open and honest. Don't worry about anything you might be missing, as Immigration officers can provide information on how to obtain these documents if necessary before making a final decision on your U.S. visa application.

    • Key factors that can affect the success of a visa application.

    The purpose of your trip, or the reason for your visit.

    Visitors must provide sufficient evidence and reasons why they wish to visit the United States. U.S. visitor visas are issued only for leisure and business travel purposes. Applicants must provide an itinerary showing activities and a schedule during their stay in the United States.

    Providing support and maintaining relationships with sponsors.

    If an applicant is unable to adequately financially qualify for travel to the United States, they must have a sponsor. The sponsor must provide proof of their willingness to pay for the travel on behalf of the applicant. The U.S. Embassy wants to ensure that visitors do not wish to seek assistance from public funds in the United States.

    While U.S. law allows for sponsors for visitor visas, applicants must prove the credibility of their relationship with the sponsor. For family members, birth certificates or marriage certificates must be provided. Additionally, proof of ongoing communication, such as photos, conversations, and emails, must be submitted.

    Duration and location of stay in the United States.

    When applicants intend to visit the United States, they must declare the duration of their stay and specify their return date to Thailand. The maximum stay in the United States under this visa type should not exceed 3 months.

    Visitors must provide accommodation and bookings showing the location where they will be staying in the United States. If the purpose of the trip is to visit family members or relatives, the applicant must provide the family's U.S. address. This can be certified by an invitation letter or other document proving proof of address.

    Having a job in your home country does not guarantee visa approval. Immigration officers also consider the length of your current and past employment, and your current salary.

    Additionally, the duration of your requested visit to the U.S. will be considered, as immigration officers typically ask applicants who wish to stay longer than two to three months. It's crucial to consider your current employment and any permitted company leave. Therefore, you will need to provide employment certificates detailing your position, start date, current status, monthly or annual income, and vacation certificates. Presenting this evidence will serve as reference for immigration officers when reviewing your application.

    Family obligations in Thailand.

    Examples of family obligations include elderly parents who require your presence for care, and childcare responsibilities, especially when they are still in school. Applicants should provide official documentation demonstrating the family relationship, a letter from a physician explaining any significant medical conditions affecting dependent family members, and current school registration documents for the children.

    You may receive a letter of support from a family member confirming that they will care for your loved one while you are away. This will help answer immigration questions about who will look after them if you go to the United States.

    Personal assets and property.

    It is less likely that an individual will flee if they own a house, property, or have significant funds in accounts in their home country. While financial assets are necessary to support a visit, proof of assets and financial property should be demonstrated to prove the applicant's ties to their home country. This proof might include ownership of real estate, businesses, or a home.

    If you have previously traveled outside your home country and have not overstayed your permitted time, or your permitted stay has been monitored by immigration authorities, you are likely to have built trust with immigration officials that you will not overstay during your visit to the United States and that you will return to your home country after your vacation.

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