A B visa is one of a category of non-immigrant visas issued by the United States government to foreign nationals seeking entry for a temporary period. The two types of B visa are the B-1 visa, issued to those seeking entry for business purposes, and the B-2 visa, issued to those seeking entry for tourism or other non-business purposes. In practice, the two visa categories are usually combined and issued as a "B-1/B-2 visa" valid for a temporary visit for either business or pleasure, or a combination of the two. Nationals of certain countries do not usually need to obtain a visa for these purposes.
Under the category of temporary visitor for business, a B-1 visa may be used to enter the U.S. to engage in any of the following activities. [1]
Under the category of temporary visitor for pleasure, a B-2 visa can be used to enter the U.S. to engage in any of the following activities.
A person who enters the U.S. with a B-1 visa or a B-2 visa is prohibited from engaging in any of the following activities.
Under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a foreigner must prove to the satisfaction of the consular officer his or her intent to return to his home country after visiting the United States. The act specifically states: [12]
Every alien (other than a nonimmigrant described in subparagraph (L) or (V) of section 101(a)(15), and other than a nonimmigrant described in any provision of section 101(a)(15)(H)(i) except subclause (b1) of such section) shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a visa, and the immigration officers, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15).
In practice, this means that consular officers have wide discretion to deny a visa application. Once refused, there is no judicial or other means to challenge a visa decision. The foreigner, however, is free to apply for a visa again, particularly if circumstances have changed that might show to the consular officer that the applicant overcomes the presumption of being an intending immigrant. [13]
All applicants for a B-1 and/or B-2 visa must pay an application fee, US$185 as of 2024. [14] If the application is approved, nationals of a few countries must also pay an issuance fee, based on reciprocity, varying by nationality, desired visa validity, number of entries and visa subtype (B-1, B-2 or combined B-1/B-2). [15]
As of 2024 [update] , only nationals of the following countries must pay the issuance fee. [15]
Country | Issuance fee (USD) | Entries | Validity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cameroon | 35 | multiple | 6 months | |
215 | multiple | 1 year | ||
Central African Republic | 40 | multiple | 1 year | |
Comoros | 0 | 1 | 2 months | |
282 | multiple | 1 year | ||
Djibouti | 155 | multiple | 1 year | |
Gambia | 15 | multiple | 5 years | |
Malawi | 0 | 1 | 3 months | |
35 | multiple | 6 months | ||
115 | multiple | 1 year | ||
Myanmar | 0 | 1 | 3 months | For B-2 or B-1/B-2. |
415 | multiple | 1 year | For B-1 only. | |
Nauru | 0 | multiple | 5 years | For B-1 only. |
7 | 1 | 3 months | For B-2 only. | |
Papua New Guinea | 0 | 1 | 6 months | |
165 | multiple | 1 year | ||
Turkmenistan | 0 | multiple | 3 months | |
90 | multiple | 6 months | ||
330 | multiple | 1 year |
Before 1994, there was no application fee, and only the issuance fee was charged, varying by nationality based on reciprocity. [16] In 1994, the application fee was introduced for all applicants, in addition to the reciprocal issuance fee, to pay for the more costly machine-readable visas, which replaced the older stamped visas around that time. [17] The application fee was initially US$20, and has increased several times since then.
Date | Application fee (USD) |
---|---|
16 May 1994 [17] | 20 |
1 February 1998 [18] | 45 |
1 June 2002 [19] | 65 |
1 November 2002 [20] | 100 |
1 January 2008 [21] | 131 |
4 June 2010 [22] | 140 |
13 April 2012 [23] | 160 |
17 June 2023 [24] [25] | 185 |
United States | |
10 years 4–5 years 2–3 years | 12–15 months 3–6 months 1 month–5 years (depending on issuance fee or visa subtype) |
As with other non-immigrant U.S. visas, a B-1/B-2 visa has a validity period (from 1 month to 10 years), allows for one, two, three or multiple entries into the U.S., and elicits a period of stay (maximum 6 months) recorded by the Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry on the individual's form I-94. The validity period determines how long the visa may be used to enter the U.S., while the period of stay determines how long the person may stay in the U.S. after each entry.
Validity periods per country are listed in the U.S. Department of State visa reciprocity tables and vary from 1 month for Tuvalu (for B-1), 1 year for Vietnam, 2 years for Ethiopia, 3 years for Russia, and 5 years for Nigeria, to 10 years for China, India, Philippines, and most countries in the Americas and Europe. For some countries, longer validity periods are available for higher issuance fees or for B-1 or B-2 only.
Periods of stay for B-1 visas may be granted initially for a duration long enough to allow the visitor to conduct their business, up to a maximum of 6 months, and can be extended for another 6 months; [26] stays with B-1 visas are usually granted for three months or less, while stays with B-2 visas are generally granted for six months. [27] Extensions are possible, provided the individual has not violated the conditions of admission. [28]
A Border Crossing Card (BCC), also called a laser visa, has a 10-year validity and functions as both a BCC and a B-1/B-2 visitor's visa. The BCC is only issued to nationals of Mexico who apply for a visa inside Mexico. [29]
Validity of B visas by nationality, as of 2024 [update] : [15] [30]
Country | Issuance fee (USD) | Entries | Validity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Albania | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Algeria | 0 | multiple | 2 years | |
Andorra | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Angola | 0 | multiple | 2 years | |
Antigua and Barbuda | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Argentina | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Armenia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Australia | 0 | multiple | 5 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Austria | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Azerbaijan | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Bahamas | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa if traveling directly from the country through airport preclearance and holding a police certificate showing no criminal record. |
Bahrain | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Bangladesh | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Barbados | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Belarus | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Belgium | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Belize | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Benin | 0 | multiple | 3 years | |
Bhutan | 0 | 1 | 3 months | |
Bolivia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Botswana | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Brazil | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Brunei | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Bulgaria | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Burkina Faso | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Burundi | 0 | 1 | 3 months | |
Cambodia | 0 | 2 | 3 months | |
Cameroon | 35 | multiple | 6 months | |
215 | multiple | 1 year | ||
Canada | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa or ESTA. |
Cape Verde | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Central African Republic | 40 | multiple | 1 year | |
Chad | 0 | 1 | 3 months | |
Chile | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
China | 0 | multiple | 10 years | Electronic Visa Update System registration is required free of charge for 10-year validity B visa holders. Chinese Communist Party members and their spouses and children under age 21 will be issued B visa good for single entry with 1-month validity. |
Colombia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Comoros | 0 | 1 | 2 months | |
282 | multiple | 1 year | ||
Congo | 0 | multiple | 2 years | |
Costa Rica | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Croatia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Cuba | 0 | 1 | 3 months | For B-1/B-2 only. |
0 | 1 | 6 months | For B-1 only. | |
0 | multiple | 5 years | For B-2 only. | |
Cyprus | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Czech Republic | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 0 | multiple | 2 years | |
Denmark | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Djibouti | 155 | multiple | 1 year | |
Dominica | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Dominican Republic | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
East Timor | 0 | 2 | 3 months | |
Ecuador | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Egypt | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
El Salvador | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Equatorial Guinea | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Eritrea | 0 | 1 | 3 months | |
Estonia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Eswatini | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Ethiopia | 0 | multiple | 2 years | For holders of diplomatic or official passports, visa validity is 1 year. |
Fiji | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Finland | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
France | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Gabon | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Gambia | 15 | multiple | 5 years | |
Georgia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Germany | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Ghana | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Greece | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Grenada | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Guatemala | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Guinea | 0 | multiple | 3 years | |
Guinea-Bissau | 0 | multiple | 15 months | |
Guyana | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Haiti | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Honduras | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Hong Kong | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Hungary | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Iceland | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
India | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Indonesia | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Iran | 0 | 1 | 3 months | |
Iraq | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Ireland | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Israel | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Italy | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Ivory Coast | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Jamaica | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Japan | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Jordan | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Kazakhstan | 0 | multiple | 10 years | For B-1/B-2 for a religious event, 1 entry and validity of 3 months. For B-1/B-2 for volunteer work, multiple entries and validity of 5 years. |
Kenya | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Kiribati | 0 | multiple | 4 years | |
Kosovo | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Kuwait | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Kyrgyzstan | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Laos | 0 | 1 | 3 months | |
Latvia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Lebanon | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Lesotho | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Liberia | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Libya | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Liechtenstein | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Lithuania | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Luxembourg | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Macau | 0 | multiple | 10 years | For holders of a travel permit instead of a passport, visa validity is 5 years. |
Madagascar | 0 | multiple | 3 months | |
Malawi | 0 | 1 | 3 months | |
35 | multiple | 6 months | ||
115 | multiple | 1 year | ||
Malaysia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Maldives | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Mali | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Malta | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Marshall Islands | 0 | 1 | 3 months | May also enter without a visa or ESTA. |
Mauritania | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Mauritius | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Mexico | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Micronesia | 0 | 2 | 3 months | May also enter without a visa or ESTA. |
Moldova | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Monaco | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Mongolia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Montenegro | 0 | multiple | 3 years | |
Morocco | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Mozambique | 0 | 1 | 3 months | For B-1/B-2 only. |
0 | 3 | 3 months | For B-1 or B-2. | |
0 | multiple | 3 months | For B-1/B-2 only. | |
Myanmar | 0 | 1 | 3 months | For B-2 or B-1/B-2. |
415 | multiple | 1 year | For B-1 only. | |
Namibia | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Nauru | 0 | multiple | 5 years | For B-1 only. |
7 | 1 | 3 months | For B-2 only. | |
Nepal | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Netherlands | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
New Zealand | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Nicaragua | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Niger | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Nigeria | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
North Korea | 0 | 2 | 3 months | |
North Macedonia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Norway | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Oman | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Pakistan | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Palau | 0 | 2 | 3 months | May also enter without a visa or ESTA. |
Palestine | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Panama | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Papua New Guinea | 0 | 1 | 6 months | |
165 | multiple | 1 year | ||
Paraguay | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Peru | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Philippines | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Poland | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Portugal | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Qatar | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Romania | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Russia | 0 | multiple | 3 years | |
Rwanda | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Saint Lucia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Samoa | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
San Marino | 0 | multiple | 5 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
São Tomé and Príncipe | 0 | multiple | 6 months | |
Saudi Arabia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Senegal | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Serbia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Seychelles | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Sierra Leone | 0 | multiple | 3 years | |
Singapore | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Slovakia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Slovenia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Solomon Islands | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Somalia | 0 | 1 | 3 months | |
South Africa | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
South Korea | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
South Sudan | 0 | 2 | 3 months | |
Spain | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Sri Lanka | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Sudan | 0 | 1 | 3 months | For B-2 or B-1/B-2. |
0 | multiple | 1 year | For B-1 only. | |
Suriname | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Sweden | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Switzerland | 0 | multiple | 10 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Syria | 0 | multiple | 3 months | |
Taiwan | 0 | multiple | 5 years | May also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Tajikistan | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Tanzania | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Thailand | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Togo | 0 | multiple | 3 years | |
Tonga | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Trinidad and Tobago | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Tunisia | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Turkey | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Turkmenistan | 0 | multiple | 3 months | |
90 | multiple | 6 months | ||
330 | multiple | 1 year | ||
Tuvalu | 0 | 1 | 1 month | For B-1 only. |
0 | multiple | 25 months | For B-2 only. | |
Uganda | 0 | multiple | 2 years | |
Ukraine | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
United Arab Emirates | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
United Kingdom | 0 | multiple | 10 years | For British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs) of the Pitcairn Islands, 2 entries and validity of 3 months. BOTCs of Bermuda may also enter without a visa or ESTA. BOTCs of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands may also enter without a visa if traveling directly from the territory and holding a police certificate showing no criminal record. British citizens may also enter without a visa, with ESTA. |
Uruguay | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Uzbekistan | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Vanuatu | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Vatican City | 0 | multiple | 5 years | |
Venezuela | 0 | multiple | 10 years | |
Vietnam | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Yemen | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Zambia | 0 | multiple | 3 years | |
Zimbabwe | 0 | multiple | 1 year | |
Stateless | 0 | 2 | 3 months |
On March 15, 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that starting from 29 November 2016, all holders of Chinese passports who also hold 10-year B visas are required to enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before travelling to the United States via air, land or sea. [31] The EVUS is designed for visa holders to update any changes to their basic biographic and employment information at the time of their visa applications. Similar to the ESTA, each EVUS registration is valid for a period of 2 years or until the holder's passport expiration date, whichever comes first. As of 2023, this system can be used free of charge and no time frame exists for when the US$8 cost recovery fee will be imposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Holders of EVUS can travel to the United States for unlimited times providing that their EVUS registration and visa remain valid. [32]
The requirement applies to any holder of a Chinese passport and B visa with a 10-year validity. It also applies to holders of non-citizen travel documents issued by other countries, such as a refugee travel document and certificate of identity, whose nationality is Chinese. It does not apply, however, to holders of Hong Kong SAR passports, [lower-alpha 1] Macau SAR passports, B visas with a validity shorter than 10 years, or of other types of visas. The CBP and DHS are seeking to expand the EVUS to other nationalities in the future. [36]
EVUS was officially launched on October 31, 2016, for early enrollments. Upon launch, CBP announced that the enrollment fee will be suspended until further notice. [37]
Certain countries generally accept a U.S. tourist visa that is valid for further travel as a substitute visa for national visas.
Country | Period | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | 90 days | [38] |
Antigua and Barbuda | 30 days | [39] |
Argentina | 3 months | Certain nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if holding a B2 visa. [40] |
Belize | 30 days | Multiple-entry visa only [41] |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 30 days | [42] |
Canada | up to 6 months | Nationals of certain countries arriving by air with Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) only |
Chile | 90 days | Nationals of China only |
Colombia | 90 days | Certain nationalities only |
Costa Rica | 30 days | Only for a multiple-entry visa that is valid for at least six months [43] |
Dominican Republic | 90 days | [44] |
El Salvador | 90 days | Certain nationalities only |
Georgia | 90 days | Valid for 90 days within any 180-day period |
Guatemala | 90 days | Certain nationalities only |
Honduras | 90 days | Certain nationalities only |
Jamaica | 30 days | Certain nationalities only |
Mexico | 180 days | [45] [46] |
Montenegro | 30 days | [47] |
Nicaragua | 90 days | Certain nationalities only |
North Macedonia | 15 days | |
Oman | Certain nationalities may obtain an electronic Omani visa | |
Panama | 30 or 180 days | Must hold a visa valid for at least 2 additional entries |
Peru | 180 days | Applicable to nationals of China and nationals of India only |
Philippines | 7 or 14 days | 7 days for nationals of China; 14 days for nationals of India |
Qatar | 30 days | Nationals who must typically enter with a visa may obtain an electronic travel authorization |
São Tomé and Príncipe | 15 days | |
Serbia | 90 days | [48] |
South Korea | 30 days | |
Taiwan | Certain nationalities may obtain an online travel authority | |
Turkey | Certain nationalities may obtain an electronic visa | |
United Arab Emirates | 14 days | Visa on arrival for nationals of India only [49] |
United States Visa-exempt nationalities >400,000 visas | 100,000–400,000 visas 50,000–100,000 visas 25,000–50,000 visas | 10,000–25,000 visas 5,000–10,000 visas <5,000 visas |
The highest number of B-1/B-2 visas were issued to nationals of the following countries in fiscal years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2023.
Country | B-1/B-2 visas issued | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 [50] | 2017 [51] | 2016 [52] | 2015 [53] | |
Mexico [lower-alpha 2] | 1,794,962 | 1,088,880 | 1,106,723 | 1,234,885 |
Brazil | 1,009,231 | 520,589 | 450,166 | 870,008 |
India | 735,401 | 599,983 | 563,202 | 553,385 |
Colombia | 441,223 | 333,433 | 374,398 | 345,233 |
Argentina | 273,206 | 353,555 | 295,326 | 240,115 |
China | 267,027 | 1,452,834 | 1,989,925 | 2,227,670 |
Ecuador | 263,180 | 168,103 | 150,163 | 150,458 |
Israel | 174,427 | 163,495 | 168,136 | 137,439 |
Philippines | 134,907 | 115,712 | 99,967 | 83,139 |
Dominican Republic | 115,762 | 194,557 | 136,057 | 85,140 |
Vietnam | 110,141 | 100,423 | 86,180 | 80,936 |
Turkey | 103,225 | 74,312 | 85,560 | 78,118 |
Nigeria | 97,041 | 155,940 | 162,996 | 136,409 |
Egypt | 92,998 | 54,216 | 58,062 | 46,433 |
Pakistan | 92,618 | 48,537 | 65,844 | 62,714 |
Peru | 90,808 | 82,485 | 79,927 | 97,936 |
Costa Rica | 76,003 | 75,529 | 71,710 | 58,139 |
Honduras | 73,624 | 54,753 | 48,177 | 35,004 |
Indonesia | 67,801 | 52,233 | 48,787 | 48,239 |
Guatemala | 73,216 | 41,055 | 52,326 | 48,735 |
Jamaica | 61,088 | 65,119 | 94,458 | 83,483 |
Saudi Arabia | 58,436 | 52,476 | 78,042 | 85,303 |
Russia | 54,114 | 164,944 | 151,692 | 122,147 |
South Africa | 52,112 | 46,427 | 45,240 | 48,432 |
Venezuela | 50,827 | 47,087 | 144,283 | 223,854 |
Total | 5,902,426 | 6,276,851 | 7,988,520 | 8,403,683 |
In fiscal year 2014, most reasons to refuse a visa were cited as "failure to establish entitlement to nonimmigrant status", "incompatible application" (most overcome), "unlawful presence", "misrepresentation", "criminal convictions", "smugglers" and "controlled substance violators". Smaller number of applications were rejected for "physical or mental disorder", "prostitution", "espionage", "terrorist activities", "falsely claiming citizenship" and other grounds for refusal including "presidential proclamation", "money laundering", "communicable disease" and "commission of acts of torture or extrajudicial killings". [54]
United States Visa-exempt countries | <3% 3–5% | 5–10% 10–20% | 20–30% 30–40% | 40–50% >50% |
The adjusted visa refusal rates for B visas, by fiscal year, were as follows.
Country | 2008 [55] | 2014 [56] | 2015 [57] | 2016 [58] | 2017 [59] | 2018 [60] | 2019 [61] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 51.00% | 46.70% | 61.03% | 73.80% | 72.14% | 71.39% | 68.42% |
Albania | 38.70% | 39.80% | 36.82% | 35.95% | 40.45% | 41.92% | 41.45% |
Algeria | 20.30% | 23.10% | 25.92% | 36.00% | 43.96% | 39.26% | 44.22% |
Angola | 17.10% | 21.40% | 26.77% | 48.52% | 36.01% | 51.76% | 58.26% |
Antigua and Barbuda | 21.70% | 20.80% | 20.17% | 22.11% | 20.50% | 19.07% | 15.25% |
Argentina | 3.10% | 1.40% | 2.14% | 2.14% | 1.79% | 1.73% | 2.07% |
Armenia | 53.30% | 43.80% | 47.17% | 45.88% | 51.87% | 53.83% | 51.65% |
Azerbaijan | 14.00% | 13.50% | 12.93% | 14.83% | 27.63% | 28.45% | 25.43% |
Bahrain | 6.60% | 4.70% | 3.81% | 6.26% | 9.53% | 6.96% | 13.55% |
Bangladesh | 48.20% | 50.80% | 59.96% | 62.82% | 60.88% | 40.05% | 39.78% |
Barbados | 10.10% | 9.80% | 9.54% | 11.24% | 8.72% | 7.07% | 6.76% |
Belarus | 21.10% | 14.00% | 12.53% | 14.87% | 21.69% | 23.26% | 21.93% |
Belize | 25.40% | 16.40% | 30.47% | 35.21% | 30.91% | 34.55% | 28.63% |
Benin | 39.10% | 31.40% | 35.74% | 38.01% | 42.10% | 47.74% | 48.48% |
Bhutan | 48.30% | 43.60% | 54.55% | 69.78% | 52.43% | 59.63% | 57.13% |
Bolivia | 23.60% | 13.60% | 13.56% | 14.36% | 18.08% | 22.19% | 24.17% |
Bosnia-Herzegovina | 21.30% | 16.10% | 20.38% | 19.70% | 16.37% | 23.50% | 25.27% |
Botswana | 15.60% | 16.90% | 16.67% | 18.97% | 17.94% | 18.67% | 17.54% |
Brazil | 5.50% | 3.20% | 5.36% | 16.70% | 12.34% | 12.73% | 18.48% |
Bulgaria | 13.30% | 15.20% | 17.26% | 16.86% | 14.97% | 11.32% | 9.75% |
Burkina Faso | 44.40% | 37.40% | 50.37% | 65.35% | 75.74% | 71.16% | 62.32% |
Burundi | 58.80% | 50.00% | 58.35% | 61.33% | 75.55% | 74.39% | 73.16% |
Cambodia | 44.30% | 39.90% | 48.41% | 35.62% | 41.05% | 54.22% | 33.65% |
Cameroon | 46.70% | 28.20% | 29.89% | 36.84% | 47.29% | 32.63% | 57.97% |
Cape Verde | 42.70% | 28.70% | 36.05% | 45.89% | 50.70% | 52.27% | 52.66% |
Central African Republic | 39.60% | 46.60% | 32.43% | 35.12% | 44.24% | 36.03% | 37.45% |
Chad | 41.40% | 32.40% | 33.87% | 42.53% | 51.65% | 60.80% | 70.16% |
China | 18.20% | 9.00% | 10.03% | 12.35% | 14.57% | 17.00% | 18.22% |
Colombia | 25.60% | 12.30% | 15.52% | 17.79% | 21.93% | 35.11% | 41.93% |
Comoros | 14.00% | 17.00% | 54.44% | 53.73% | 48.45% | 69.46% | 53.02% |
Congo | 33.20% | 35.40% | 40.77% | 46.55% | 48.47% | 52.23% | 60.49% |
Costa Rica | 21.20% | 11.40% | 9.83% | 8.39% | 6.49% | 9.91% | 18.66% |
Croatia | 5.10% | 6.10% | 5.29% | 6.78% | 5.10% | 5.92% | 4.02% |
Cuba | 45.20% | 66.20% | 76.03% | 81.85% | 77.17% | 50.97% | 53.40% |
Cyprus | 1.70% | 3.50% | 3.53% | 2.03% | 1.69% | 2.38% | 2.78% |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 36.20% | 39.10% | 45.62% | 45.63% | 49.94% | 50.56% | 53.80% |
Djibouti | 42.50% | 50.10% | 52.00% | 47.09% | 74.80% | 82.96% | 85.35% |
Dominica | 29.50% | 29.00% | 33.33% | 31.63% | 28.74% | 37.13% | 26.83% |
Dominican Republic | 45.60% | 35.90% | 33.78% | 31.88% | 35.78% | 49.54% | 53.21% |
East Timor | 16.70% | 25.00% | 12.68% | 26.67% | 7.02% | 8.16% | 4.23% |
Ecuador | 40.00% | 20.80% | 31.34% | 29.18% | 27.95% | 31.38% | 34.05% |
Egypt | 35.30% | 34.00% | 33.57% | 28.61% | 34.24% | 32.15% | 31.83% |
El Salvador | 45.70% | 36.30% | 45.72% | 57.12% | 52.97% | 51.49% | 58.18% |
Equatorial Guinea | 11.10% | 17.80% | 19.30% | 17.75% | 18.21% | 21.29% | 27.79% |
Eritrea | 51.10% | 41.70% | 55.67% | 50.49% | 71.69% | 69.54% | 65.39% |
Eswatini | 13.00% | 10.00% | 12.95% | 8.03% | 12.59% | 8.49% | 5.73% |
Ethiopia | 46.70% | 44.90% | 48.32% | 38.13% | 50.30% | 41.74% | 45.46% |
Fiji | 38.00% | 14.00% | 14.92% | 20.23% | 26.59% | 41.74% | 38.96% |
Gabon | 23.00% | 13.50% | 15.74% | 21.29% | 26.10% | 40.00% | 45.41% |
Gambia | 55.70% | 69.30% | 75.64% | 69.87% | 70.27% | 64.22% | 72.30% |
Georgia | 46.60% | 48.20% | 50.58% | 62.82% | 61.09% | 62.35% | 63.85% |
Ghana | 50.10% | 59.80% | 63.28% | 65.70% | 56.18% | 49.35% | 55.60% |
Grenada | 29.90% | 29.50% | 32.00% | 35.71% | 26.94% | 26.44% | 19.49% |
Guatemala | 33.80% | 35.90% | 45.37% | 48.68% | 47.14% | 53.62% | 58.64% |
Guinea | 63.80% | 47.80% | 59.81% | 63.53% | 64.59% | 66.16% | 73.29% |
Guinea-Bissau | 63.40% | 56.50% | 65.18% | 71.88% | 71.61% | 76.09% | 65.33% |
Guyana | 56.60% | 40.20% | 37.28% | 25.76% | 37.92% | 70.62% | 62.96% |
Haiti | 54.40% | 58.20% | 60.45% | 64.52% | 71.44% | 67.59% | 60.81% |
Honduras | 33.60% | 36.80% | 39.73% | 42.76% | 40.35% | 60.32% | 61.71% |
Hong Kong | 3.30% | 3.10% | 4.36% | 4.61% | 3.45% | 4.25% | 3.23% |
India | 24.70% | 19.80% | 23.78% | 26.02% | 23.29% | 26.07% | 27.75% |
Indonesia | 37.00% | 8.30% | 8.71% | 11.19% | 10.99% | 12.81% | 12.46% |
Iran | 42.50% | 41.80% | 38.55% | 45.02% | 58.66% | 87.66% | 86.58% |
Iraq | 46.30% | 41.40% | 52.82% | 51.71% | 60.71% | 56.95% | 49.94% |
Israel | 3.00% | 8.20% | 3.85% | 4.09% | 4.88% | 5.10% | 5.33% |
Ivory Coast | 40.90% | 29.80% | 28.59% | 37.38% | 33.72% | 33.81% | 35.73% |
Jamaica | 35.50% | 32.30% | 37.62% | 35.64% | 46.78% | 54.46% | 56.59% |
Jordan | 43.20% | 26.90% | 37.59% | 40.34% | 40.06% | 42.62% | 45.26% |
Kazakhstan | 11.70% | 9.90% | 12.70% | 27.55% | 32.81% | 39.38% | 42.58% |
Kenya | 35.60% | 27.30% | 27.34% | 26.60% | 33.17% | 41.59% | 49.86% |
Kiribati | 26.20% | 15.40% | 16.05% | 5.81% | 5.13% | 25.33% | 11.69% |
Kosovo | 47.90% | 38.10% | 44.03% | 41.48% | 37.92% | 35.97% | 36.76% |
Kuwait | 6.50% | 5.70% | 5.73% | 4.56% | 8.32% | 2.71% | 3.27% |
Kyrgyzstan | 32.10% | 43.20% | 55.75% | 51.68% | 55.58% | 58.9% | 67.75% |
Laos | 73.40% | 61.10% | 66.68% | 62.37% | 63.66% | 64.06% | 65.60% |
Lebanon | 27.90% | 16.10% | 27.10% | 25.41% | 31.75% | 25.22% | 23.85% |
Lesotho | 32.10% | 16.70% | 13.95% | 21.20% | 35.97% | 21.94% | 28.24% |
Liberia | 70.70% | 49.40% | 62.45% | 70.23% | 64.98% | 64.36% | 73.93% |
Libya | 27.10% | 33.90% | 43.02% | 40.58% | 45.50% | 73.73% | 89.05% |
Madagascar | 11.90% | 11.60% | 11.01% | 12.12% | 11.00% | 11.77% | 7.69% |
Malawi | 28.90% | 12.30% | 10.23% | 14.52% | 26.49% | 28.20% | 37.05% |
Malaysia | 5.60% | 4.60% | 3.34% | 3.65% | 3.93% | 4.94% | 4.91% |
Maldives | 4.70% | 6.70% | 15.49% | 47.56% | 27.74% | 9.88% | 33.65% |
Mali | 48.10% | 54.00% | 52.77% | 57.58% | 59.43% | 50.60% | 55.89% |
Mauritania | 51.00% | 52.20% | 61.45% | 71.45% | 67.30% | 61.58% | 67.79% |
Mauritius | 11.60% | 2.20% | 5.71% | 5.53% | 8.29% | 6.49% | 6.59% |
Mexico | 11.40% | 15.60% | 20.17% | 23.49% | 22.50% | 24.93% | 26.66% |
Moldova | 36.70% | 40.10% | 41.83% | 36.35% | 49.12% | 61.10% | 58.03% |
Mongolia | 53.60% | 27.90% | 34.76% | 43.63% | 53.62% | 56.51% | 54.60% |
Montenegro | 25.60% | 28.00% | 31.26% | 28.69% | 26.41% | 35.35% | 39.10% |
Morocco | 24.00% | 21.90% | 20.60% | 26.77% | 36.99% | 42.88% | 28.48% |
Mozambique | 13.80% | 4.00% | 4.03% | 10.29% | 26.18% | 10.22% | 14.24% |
Myanmar | 41.90% | 15.50% | 16.32% | 13.02% | 17.88% | 23.12% | 30.91% |
Namibia | 6.80% | 7.60% | 7.43% | 5.56% | 6.31% | 8.40% | 6.60% |
Nauru | 66.70% | 42.90% | 5.26% | 13.33% | 20.97% | 21.43% | 20.83% |
Nepal | 51.20% | 38.20% | 42.19% | 49.54% | 46.42% | 51.53% | 50.70% |
Nicaragua | 41.80% | 35.80% | 41.19% | 44.54% | 43.28% | 46.75% | 63.52% |
Niger | 55.70% | 36.40% | 31.10% | 31.14% | 30.65% | 43.33% | 42.76% |
Nigeria | 36.00% | 33.20% | 32.56% | 41.44% | 44.95% | 57.47% | 67.20% |
Non-nationality based issuances [lower-alpha 3] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 28.92% | 35.61% | 40.27% | 43.16% |
North Korea | 16.30% | 55.60% | 47.67% | 15.00% | 54.55% | 100.00% | 100% |
North Macedonia | 33.50% | 29.80% | 36.08% | 33.84% | 28.69% | 31.29% | 36.19% |
Oman | 2.20% | 2.10% | 2.00% | 1.93% | 3.46% | 4.87% | 5.13% |
Pakistan | 46.30% | 38.00% | 40.40% | 46.43% | 49.40% | 47.89% | 48.26% |
Palestine | 55.60% | 36.70% | 42.68% | 40.64% | 50.98% | 53.87% | 52.92% |
Panama | 19.20% | 10.00% | 11.36% | 12.05% | 11.61% | 11.71% | 18.93% |
Papua New Guinea | 3.40% | 7.40% | 5.14% | 10.56% | 9.34% | 6.84% | 1.74% |
Paraguay | 14.40% | 6.10% | 6.15% | 7.47% | 6.83% | 8.02% | 12.41% |
Peru | 37.70% | 13.80% | 14.46% | 28.61% | 25.97% | 28.53% | 25.39% |
Philippines | 31.00% | 24.60% | 27.96% | 27.29% | 25.54% | 27.07% | 24.40% |
Poland | 13.80% | 6.40% | 6.37% | 5.37% | 5.92% | 3.99% | 2.76% |
Qatar | 4.90% | 2.10% | 2.97% | 3.50% | 7.48% | 8.34% | 10.33% |
Romania | 25.00% | 9.80% | 11.16% | 11.43% | 11.76% | 10.44% | 9.11% |
Russia | 7.50% | 7.80% | 10.24% | 9.29% | 11.61% | 14.89% | 15.19% |
Rwanda | 50.30% | 51.10% | 49.17% | 43.79% | 52.17% | 44.51% | 53.76% |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | 25.00% | 27.50% | 26.60% | 28.31% | 26.66% | 24.98% | 21.87% |
Saint Lucia | 26.60% | 27.60% | 26.90% | 27.16% | 22.34% | 21.90% | 16.75% |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 26.40% | 24.10% | 27.15% | 27.46% | 20.38% | 19.17% | 14.55% |
Samoa | 32.40% | 27.20% | 29.99% | 28.44% | 40.32% | 26.26% | 27.02% |
São Tomé and Príncipe | 28.60% | 10.70% | 5.71% | 24.14% | 14.81% | 26.09% | 34.78% |
Saudi Arabia | 6.60% | 3.30% | 3.24% | 4.04% | 5.26% | 7.47% | 6.82% |
Senegal | 55.20% | 57.50% | 54.37% | 52.46% | 56.85% | 59.18% | 55.88% |
Serbia | 11.70% | 16.00% | 16.54% | 18.77% | 22.33% | 25.93% | 30.33% |
Seychelles | 18.00% | 6.80% | 7.26% | 9.66% | 13.14% | 11.64% | 10.60% |
Sierra Leone | 50.10% | 51.90% | 53.02% | 61.25% | 47.30% | 60.56% | 57.99% |
Solomon Islands | 6.50% | 5.40% | 7.26% | 4.28% | 16.79% | 3.57% | 2.20% |
Somalia | 54.00% | 52.00% | 64.60% | 63.89% | 75.50% | 90.16% | 80.77% |
South Africa | 4.60% | 2.60% | 5.08% | 6.83% | 6.44% | 7.31% | 6.92% |
South Sudan | n/a | 43.80% | 41.77% | 43.89% | 47.52% | 41.29% | 52.32% |
Sri Lanka | 31.40% | 19.50% | 22.07% | 21.69% | 26.19% | 33.61% | 35.12% |
Sudan | 38.60% | 42.40% | 40.45% | 36.59% | 51.37% | 59.83% | 57.44% |
Suriname | 9.60% | 13.60% | 7.78% | 10.86% | 11.44% | 8.57% | 7.44% |
Syria | 33.10% | 60.00% | 63.43% | 59.77% | 59.11% | 77.31% | 74.83% |
Tajikistan | 32.40% | 49.00% | 44.44% | 55.24% | 51.84% | 53.39% | 60.97% |
Tanzania | 26.20% | 21.30% | 12.02% | 23.05% | 18.36% | 19.87% | 23.90% |
Thailand | 19.80% | 10.20% | 12.35% | 17.82% | 20.15% | 22.17% | 23.41% |
Togo | 51.70% | 35.60% | 43.42% | 54.39% | 59.88% | 59.61% | 59.78% |
Tonga | 48.70% | 25.40% | 28.09% | 31.58% | 32.85% | 51.33% | 45.85% |
Trinidad and Tobago | 23.80% | 21.20% | 25.16% | 22.70% | 22.46% | 19.28% | 13.05% |
Tunisia | 23.90% | 17.50% | 19.69% | 15.92% | 19.53% | 27.67% | 24.17% |
Turkey | 11.20% | 7.10% | 13.88% | 13.62% | 17.86% | 17.49% | 19.19% |
Turkmenistan | 45.40% | 18.60% | 25.41% | 32.95% | 40.60% | 52.93% | 56.26% |
Tuvalu | 17.60% | 27.30% | 21.05% | 20.00% | 15.38% | 34.78% | 25.81% |
Uganda | 34.40% | 37.20% | 30.63% | 41.53% | 42.38% | 42.29% | 51.65% |
Ukraine | 30.90% | 27.70% | 34.03% | 40.83% | 34.54% | 40.97% | 45.06% |
United Arab Emirates | 10.40% | 4.80% | 7.10% | 4.02% | 5.80% | 3.75% | 5.56% |
Uruguay | 9.50% | 1.80% | 2.70% | 3.14% | 3.19% | 4.11% | 5.91% |
Uzbekistan | 61.10% | 52.10% | 49.59% | 57.09% | 50.29% | 61.76% | 68.06% |
Vanuatu | 16.70% | 20.00% | 10.53% | 16.67% | 13.51% | 38.30% | 41.05% |
Vatican City | 16.70% | 7.70% | 25.00% | 0.00% | 36.36% | 0.00% | 8.33% |
Venezuela | 25.40% | 15.20% | 15.57% | 40.25% | 42.87% | 74.28% | 59.53% |
Vietnam | 38.80% | 14.30% | 23.43% | 29.49% | 24.06% | 26.20% | 23.70% |
Western Sahara | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 100.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Yemen | 54.70% | 44.20% | 54.01% | 48.85% | 60.76% | 82.50% | 78.45% |
Zambia | 53.30% | 22.20% | 20.98% | 22.26% | 21.72% | 22.45% | 40.64% |
Zimbabwe | 30.30% | 13.20% | 21.03% | 22.88% | 26.32% | 26.60% | 26.92% |
United States >2 million 1–2 million 500,000–1 million | 250,000–500,000 100,000–250,000 15,000–100,000 <15,000 |
The individuals admitted for tourism and/or business purposes during fiscal year 2017 were nationals from the following countries. [62] [63] [64] [65]
A number of visitors overstay the maximum period of allowed stay on their B-1/B-2 status after entering the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security publishes annual reports that list the number of violations by passengers who arrive by air and sea. The table below excludes statistics on persons who left the United States later than their allowed stay or legalized their status and shows only suspected overstays who remained in the country. More than 95% of visitors from Mexico arrive in the U.S. by land rather than by air and sea. Statistics for suspected overstays of the land visitors are yet to be released. [66]
The number of suspected in-country B-1/B-2 overstays in fiscal year 2018 by nationality were the following. [67] [68] [69]
Country | Expected departures | Out-of-country overstays | Suspected in- country overstays | Total overstays | Total overstay rate | Suspected in-country overstay rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 1,339 | 4 | 169 | 173 | 12.92% | 12.62% |
Albania | 15,319 | 56 | 562 | 618 | 4.03% | 3.67% |
Algeria | 11,126 | 43 | 278 | 321 | 2.89% | 2.50% |
Andorra | 1,611 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.19% | 0.19% |
Angola | 6,342 | 22 | 963 | 985 | 15.53% | 15.18% |
Antigua and Barbuda | 14,508 | 26 | 202 | 228 | 1.57% | 1.39% |
Argentina | 1,116,017 | 276 | 7,909 | 8,185 | 0.73% | 0.71% |
Armenia | 11,315 | 39 | 482 | 521 | 4.60% | 4.26% |
Australia [lower-alpha 5] | 1,418,265 | 829 | 3,155 | 3,984 | 0.28% | 0.22% |
Austria | 210,050 | 74 | 647 | 721 | 0.34% | 0.31% |
Azerbaijan | 6,731 | 27 | 486 | 513 | 7.62% | 7.22% |
Bahamas | 272,487 | 253 | 1,292 | 1,545 | 0.57% | 0.47% |
Bahrain | 6,784 | 9 | 43 | 52 | 0.77% | 0.63% |
Bangladesh | 26,795 | 52 | 565 | 617 | 2.30% | 2.11% |
Barbados | 64,795 | 39 | 718 | 757 | 1.17% | 1.11% |
Belarus | 18,198 | 57 | 673 | 730 | 4.01% | 3.70% |
Belgium | 300,319 | 148 | 785 | 933 | 0.31% | 0.26% |
Belize | 28,642 | 49 | 554 | 603 | 2.11% | 1.93% |
Benin | 2,079 | 17 | 97 | 114 | 5.48% | 4.67% |
Bhutan | 398 | 6 | 46 | 52 | 13.07% | 11.56% |
Bolivia | 69,041 | 73 | 1,108 | 1,181 | 1.71% | 1.60% |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 8,186 | 36 | 109 | 145 | 1.77% | 1.33% |
Botswana | 2,095 | 5 | 26 | 31 | 1.48% | 1.24% |
Brazil | 2,200,440 | 1,720 | 34,569 | 36,289 | 1.65% | 1.57% |
Brunei | 1,160 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 0.78% | 0.78% |
Bulgaria | 30,799 | 69 | 235 | 304 | 0.99% | 0.76% |
Burkina Faso | 3,953 | 24 | 308 | 332 | 8.40% | 7.79% |
Burundi | 1,157 | 0 | 249 | 249 | 21.52% | 21.52% |
Cambodia | 4,045 | 9 | 110 | 119 | 2.94% | 2.72% |
Cameroon | 10,958 | 125 | 826 | 951 | 8.68% | 7.54% |
Central African Republic | 212 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 7.55% | 6.60% |
Cape Verde | 4,870 | 30 | 553 | 583 | 11.97% | 11.36% |
Chad | 536 | 3 | 162 | 165 | 30.78% | 30.22% |
Chile | 403,917 | 655 | 5,364 | 6,019 | 1.49% | 1.33% |
China [lower-alpha 6] | 2,345,850 | 2,575 | 15,739 | 18,314 | 0.78% | 0.67% |
Colombia | 929,005 | 935 | 20,982 | 21,917 | 2.36% | 2.26% |
Comoros | 87 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2.30% | 2.30% |
Congo | 1,096 | 5 | 119 | 124 | 11.31% | 10.86% |
Costa Rica | 306,925 | 184 | 2,830 | 3,014 | 0.98% | 0.92% |
Croatia | 26,385 | 24 | 108 | 132 | 0.50% | 0.41% |
Cuba | 70,484 | 254 | 1,614 | 1,868 | 2.65% | 2.29% |
Cyprus | 10,413 | 4 | 38 | 42 | 0.40% | 0.36% |
Czech Republic | 125,142 | 174 | 612 | 786 | 0.63% | 0.49% |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 6,446 | 24 | 497 | 521 | 8.08% | 7.71% |
Denmark [lower-alpha 7] | 340,333 | 114 | 656 | 770 | 0.23% | 0.19% |
Djibouti | 403 | 3 | 177 | 180 | 44.67% | 43.92% |
Dominica | 7,336 | 28 | 275 | 303 | 4.13% | 3.75% |
Dominican Republic | 446,451 | 443 | 14,198 | 14,641 | 3.28% | 3.18% |
East Timor | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Ecuador | 429,106 | 345 | 6,652 | 6,997 | 1.63% | 1.55% |
Egypt | 74,162 | 183 | 1,848 | 2,031 | 2.74% | 2.49% |
El Salvador | 199,915 | 210 | 3,229 | 3,439 | 1.72% | 1.62% |
Equatorial Guinea | 1,002 | 9 | 54 | 63 | 6.29% | 5.39% |
Eritrea | 2,041 | 49 | 491 | 540 | 26.46% | 24.06% |
Estonia | 24,922 | 25 | 91 | 116 | 0.47% | 0.37% |
Eswatini | 875 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 1.37% | 1.26% |
Ethiopia | 19,150 | 136 | 843 | 979 | 5.11% | 4.40% |
Fiji | 8,257 | 39 | 206 | 245 | 2.97% | 2.49% |
Finland | 151,678 | 59 | 293 | 352 | 0.23% | 0.19% |
France [lower-alpha 8] | 1,907,233 | 1,103 | 10,427 | 11,530 | 0.60% | 0.55% |
Gabon | 1,843 | 12 | 88 | 100 | 5.43% | 4.77% |
Gambia | 1,747 | 19 | 129 | 148 | 8.47% | 7.38% |
Georgia | 7,919 | 30 | 819 | 849 | 10.72% | 10.34% |
Germany | 2,128,450 | 962 | 5,766 | 6,728 | 0.32% | 0.27% |
Ghana | 23,486 | 71 | 804 | 875 | 3.73% | 3.42% |
Greece | 90,919 | 322 | 825 | 1,147 | 1.26% | 0.91% |
Grenada | 11,032 | 20 | 219 | 239 | 2.17% | 1.99% |
Guatemala | 276,400 | 291 | 5,548 | 5,839 | 2.11% | 2.01% |
Guinea | 2,651 | 19 | 120 | 139 | 5.24% | 4.53% |
Guinea-Bissau | 143 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 9.79% | 9.79% |
Guyana | 66,416 | 155 | 3,065 | 3,220 | 4.85% | 4.61% |
Haiti | 137,119 | 453 | 6,464 | 6,917 | 5.04% | 4.71% |
Honduras | 214,468 | 253 | 3,890 | 4,143 | 1.93% | 1.81% |
Hungary | 98,877 | 268 | 978 | 1,246 | 1.26% | 0.99% |
Iceland | 69,723 | 26 | 123 | 149 | 0.21% | 0.18% |
India | 1,134,436 | 2,216 | 10,770 | 12,986 | 1.14% | 0.95% |
Indonesia | 93,250 | 92 | 827 | 919 | 0.99% | 0.89% |
Iran | 9,149 | 79 | 234 | 313 | 3.42% | 2.56% |
Iraq | 7,486 | 37 | 382 | 419 | 5.60% | 5.10% |
Ireland | 558,218 | 218 | 1,487 | 1,705 | 0.31% | 0.27% |
Israel | 418,944 | 375 | 3,251 | 3,626 | 0.87% | 0.78% |
Italy | 1,304,020 | 1,063 | 6,009 | 7,072 | 0.54% | 0.46% |
Ivory Coast | 6,199 | 29 | 260 | 289 | 4.66% | 4.19% |
Jamaica | 312,667 | 384 | 10,242 | 10,626 | 3.40% | 3.28% |
Japan | 3,122,345 | 372 | 4,505 | 4,877 | 0.16% | 0.14% |
Jordan | 38,906 | 172 | 1,554 | 1,726 | 4.44% | 3.99% |
Kazakhstan | 22,274 | 53 | 676 | 729 | 3.27% | 3.03% |
Kenya | 27,559 | 99 | 1,494 | 1,593 | 5.78% | 5.42% |
Kiribati | 115 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.87% | 0.87% |
Kosovo | 244 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 4.10% | 2.87% |
Kuwait | 38,071 | 410 | 517 | 927 | 2.43% | 1.36% |
Kyrgyzstan | 3,316 | 7 | 99 | 106 | 3.20% | 2.99% |
Laos | 1,508 | 7 | 144 | 151 | 10.01% | 9.55% |
Latvia | 22,919 | 73 | 162 | 235 | 1.03% | 0.71% |
Lebanon | 37,840 | 76 | 604 | 680 | 1.80% | 1.60% |
Lesotho | 364 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.55% | 0.55% |
Liberia | 3,372 | 68 | 392 | 460 | 13.64% | 11.63% |
Libya | 430 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 4.42% | 3.49% |
Liechtenstein | 1,890 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.21% | 0.11% |
Lithuania | 38,341 | 122 | 384 | 506 | 1.32% | 1.00% |
Luxembourg | 13,625 | 9 | 39 | 48 | 0.35% | 0.29% |
Madagascar | 1,103 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 1.27% | 1.09% |
Malawi | 2,010 | 7 | 121 | 128 | 6.37% | 6.02% |
Malaysia | 78,865 | 55 | 866 | 921 | 1.17% | 1.10% |
Maldives | 225 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.89% | 0.89% |
Mali | 3,234 | 10 | 146 | 156 | 4.82% | 4.51% |
Malta | 7,160 | 3 | 22 | 25 | 0.35% | 0.31% |
Marshall Islands | 78 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5.13% | 5.13% |
Mauritania | 698 | 7 | 71 | 78 | 11.17% | 10.17% |
Mauritius | 3,366 | 4 | 18 | 22 | 0.65% | 0.53% |
Micronesia | 60 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 10.00% | 10.00% |
Moldova | 9,887 | 32 | 257 | 289 | 2.92% | 2.60% |
Monaco | 1,008 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0.40% | 0.30% |
Mongolia | 11,401 | 41 | 378 | 419 | 3.68% | 3.32% |
Montenegro | 5,571 | 30 | 356 | 386 | 6.93% | 6.39% |
Morocco [lower-alpha 10] | 26,526 | 75 | 388 | 463 | 1.75% | 1.46% |
Mozambique | 1,820 | 5 | 30 | 35 | 1.92% | 1.65% |
Myanmar | 7,492 | 31 | 419 | 450 | 6.01% | 5.59% |
Namibia | 2,080 | 7 | 42 | 49 | 2.36% | 2.02% |
Nauru | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4.44% | 2.22% |
Nepal | 27,205 | 215 | 970 | 1,185 | 4.36% | 3.57% |
Netherlands [lower-alpha 11] | 795,308 | 359 | 2,821 | 3,180 | 0.40% | 0.35% |
New Zealand [lower-alpha 12] | 345,636 | 252 | 843 | 1,095 | 0.32% | 0.24% |
Nicaragua | 69,133 | 72 | 1,250 | 1,322 | 1.91% | 1.81% |
Niger | 1,138 | 9 | 75 | 84 | 7.38% | 6.59% |
Nigeria | 195,785 | 719 | 29,004 | 29,723 | 15.18% | 14.81% |
North Korea | 37 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
North Macedonia | 7,891 | 19 | 121 | 140 | 1.77% | 1.53% |
Norway | 285,524 | 128 | 520 | 648 | 0.23% | 0.18% |
Oman | 4,342 | 11 | 26 | 37 | 0.85% | 0.60% |
Pakistan | 88,177 | 163 | 1,917 | 2,080 | 2.36% | 2.17% |
Palau | 34 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 20.59% | 17.65% |
Panama | 148,294 | 97 | 831 | 928 | 0.63% | 0.56% |
Papua New Guinea | 589 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0.68% | 0.51% |
Paraguay | 30,301 | 23 | 501 | 524 | 1.73% | 1.65% |
Peru | 302,829 | 340 | 4,653 | 4,993 | 1.65% | 1.54% |
Philippines | 304,585 | 620 | 4,993 | 5,613 | 1.84% | 1.64% |
Poland | 211,438 | 215 | 1,635 | 1,850 | 0.87% | 0.77% |
Portugal | 198,982 | 444 | 3,140 | 3,584 | 1.80% | 1.58% |
Qatar | 11,645 | 128 | 154 | 282 | 2.42% | 1.32% |
Romania | 82,670 | 171 | 720 | 891 | 1.08% | 0.87% |
Russia | 265,798 | 347 | 4,234 | 4,581 | 1.72% | 1.59% |
Rwanda | 3,312 | 16 | 137 | 153 | 4.62% | 4.14% |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | 11,764 | 11 | 203 | 214 | 1.82% | 1.73% |
Saint Lucia | 15,780 | 25 | 293 | 318 | 2.02% | 1.86% |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 9,443 | 15 | 263 | 278 | 2.94% | 2.79% |
Samoa | 2,111 | 14 | 140 | 154 | 7.30% | 6.63% |
San Marino | 731 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.41% | 0.41% |
São Tomé and Príncipe | 30 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3.33% | 3.33% |
Saudi Arabia | 100,922 | 399 | 817 | 1,216 | 1.20% | 0.81% |
Senegal | 7,848 | 36 | 280 | 316 | 4.03% | 3.57% |
Serbia | 29,173 | 67 | 304 | 371 | 1.27% | 1.04% |
Seychelles | 337 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.59% | 0.59% |
Sierra Leone | 2,893 | 20 | 191 | 211 | 7.29% | 6.60% |
Singapore | 134,505 | 97 | 205 | 302 | 0.22% | 0.15% |
Slovakia | 54,438 | 102 | 406 | 508 | 0.93% | 0.75% |
Slovenia | 27,559 | 21 | 86 | 107 | 0.39% | 0.31% |
Solomon Islands | 169 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1.78% | 1.78% |
Somalia | 78 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 12.82% | 11.54% |
South Africa | 126,668 | 129 | 848 | 977 | 0.77% | 0.67% |
South Korea | 1,579,221 | 1,027 | 3,524 | 4,551 | 0.29% | 0.22% |
South Sudan | 239 | 0 | 36 | 36 | 15.06% | 15.06% |
Spain | 1,050,622 | 1,564 | 10,208 | 11,772 | 1.12% | 0.97% |
Sri Lanka | 20,997 | 18 | 286 | 304 | 1.45% | 1.36% |
Sudan | 2,937 | 29 | 339 | 368 | 12.53% | 11.54% |
Suriname | 12,711 | 17 | 175 | 192 | 1.51% | 1.38% |
Sweden | 541,849 | 244 | 1,168 | 1,412 | 0.26% | 0.22% |
Switzerland | 409,632 | 190 | 1,032 | 1,222 | 0.30 | 0.25% |
Syria | 6,851 | 27 | 1,180 | 1,207 | 17.62% | 17.22% |
Taiwan | 428,767 | 541 | 1,214 | 1,755 | 0.41% | 0.28% |
Tajikistan | 1,377 | 19 | 81 | 100 | 7.26% | 5.88% |
Tanzania | 5,892 | 33 | 171 | 204 | 3.46% | 2.90% |
Thailand | 90,436 | 148 | 1,491 | 1,639 | 1.81% | 1.65% |
Togo | 2,173 | 15 | 170 | 185 | 8.51% | 7.82% |
Tonga | 3,422 | 17 | 143 | 160 | 4.68% | 4.18% |
Trinidad and Tobago | 180,415 | 83 | 728 | 811 | 0.45% | 0.40% |
Tunisia | 9,175 | 26 | 188 | 214 | 2.33% | 2.05% |
Turkey | 165,724 | 280 | 2,804 | 3,084 | 1.86% | 1.69% |
Turkmenistan | 1,044 | 3 | 92 | 95 | 9.10% | 8.81% |
Tuvalu | 38 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2.63% | 2.63% |
Uganda | 9,247 | 30 | 768 | 798 | 8.63% | 8.31% |
Ukraine | 92,766 | 178 | 2,047 | 2,225 | 2.40% | 2.21% |
United Arab Emirates | 28,772 | 325 | 383 | 708 | 2.46% | 1.33% |
United Kingdom [lower-alpha 13] | 4,745,902 | 1,982 | 12,233 | 14,215 | 0.30% | 0.26% |
Uruguay | 83,279 | 40 | 1,397 | 1,437 | 1.73% | 1.68% |
Uzbekistan | 10,972 | 66 | 667 | 733 | 6.68% | 6.08% |
Vanuatu | 98 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Vatican City | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Venezuela | 477,224 | 1,029 | 34,902 | 35,931 | 7.53% | 7.31% |
Vietnam | 97,433 | 366 | 1,750 | 2,116 | 2.17% | 1.80% |
Yemen | 1,816 | 11 | 507 | 518 | 28.52% | 27.92% |
Zambia | 4,013 | 15 | 219 | 234 | 5.83% | 5.46% |
Zimbabwe | 7,560 | 23 | 192 | 215 | 2.84% | 2.54% |
Total | 38,198,294 | 34,530 | 364,020 | 398,550 | 1.04% | 0.95% |
A visa is a conditional authorization granted by a polity to a foreigner that allows them to enter, remain within, or leave its territory. Visas typically include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, areas within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, the number of permitted visits, or if the individual can work in the country in question. Visas are associated with the request for permission to enter a territory and thus are, in most countries, distinct from actual formal permission for an alien to enter and remain in the country. In each instance, a visa is subject to entry permission by an immigration official at the time of actual entry and can be revoked at any time. Visa evidence most commonly takes the form of a sticker endorsed in the applicant's passport or other travel document but may also exist electronically. Some countries no longer issue physical visa evidence, instead recording details only in immigration databases.
The H-1B is a visa in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101(a)(15)(H), that allows U.S. employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. It is the largest visa category in the United States in terms of guest worker numbers. A specialty occupation requires the application of specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or the equivalent of work experience. The duration of stay is three years, extendable to six years, after which the visa holder can reapply. Laws limit the number of H-1B visas that are issued each year. There exist congressionally mandated caps limiting the number of H-1B visas that can be issued each fiscal year, which is 65,000 visas, and an additional 20,000 set aside for those graduating with master’s degrees or higher from a U.S. college or university. An employer must sponsor individuals for the visa. USCIS estimates there are 583,420 foreign nationals on H-1B visas as of September 30, 2019. The number of issued H-1B visas have quadrupled since the first year these visas were issued in 1991. There were 206,002 initial and continuing H-1B visas issued in 2022.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program of the United States federal government that allows nationals of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or while in transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. It applies to all fifty U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which also have an additional program with waivers for more nationalities; American Samoa has a similar but separate program.
An L-1 visa is a visa document used to enter the United States for the purpose of work in L-1 status. It is a non-immigrant visa, and is valid for a relatively short amount of time, from three months to five years, based on a reciprocity schedule. With extensions, the maximum stay is seven years.
TN status is a special non-immigrant classification of foreign nationals in the United States, which offers expedited work authorization to a citizen of Canada or a national of Mexico. It was created as a result of provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement that mandated simplified entry and employment permission for certain professionals from each of the three NAFTA member states in the other member states. The provisions of NAFTA relevant to TN status were then carried over almost verbatim to the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement that replaced NAFTA in 2020.
The E-3 visa is a United States visa for which only citizens of Australia are eligible. It was created by an Act of the United States Congress as a result of the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA), although it is not formally a part of the AUSFTA. The legislation creating the E-3 visa was signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush on May 11, 2005. It is widely believed to have grown out of the negotiation of a trade deal between the US and Australia.
The visa policy of Australia deals with the requirements that a foreign national wishing to enter Australia must meet to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel, to enter and remain in the country. A visa may also entitle the visa holder to other privileges, such as a right to work, study, etc. and may be subject to conditions.
An H-2A visa allows a foreign national worker into the United States for temporary agricultural work. There are several requirements of the employer in regard to this visa. The H-2A temporary agricultural program establishes a means for agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring non-immigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. In 2015 there were approximately 140,000 total temporary agricultural workers under this visa program. Terms of work can be as short as a month or two or as long as 10 months in most cases, although there are some special procedures that allow workers to stay longer than 10 months. All of these workers are covered by U.S. wage laws, workers' compensation and other standards; additionally, temporary workers and their employers are subject to the employer and/or individual mandates under the Affordable Care Act. Because of concern that guest workers might be unfairly exploited, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division is especially vigilant in auditing and inspecting H-2A employers. H-2A employers are the only group of employers who are required to pay inbound and outbound transportation, free housing, and provide meals for their workers. H-2A agricultural employers are among the most heavily regulated and monitored employers in the United States. Unlike other guest worker programs, there is no cap on the number of H-2A visas allocated each year.
Visitors to the United States must obtain a visa from one of the U.S. diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt or Visa Waiver Program countries.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). ESTA was mandated by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. ESTA only authorizes travel to a U.S. airport, border, or port of entry, but admissibility into the United States is determined by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon arrival. The ESTA application collects biographic information and answers to VWP eligibility questions.
In the United States, the F visas are a type of non-immigrant student visa that allows foreigners to pursue education in the United States. F-1 students must maintain a full course of study. F-1 visas are only issued in U.S. embassies and consulates, although extensions of stay and changes of status may be possible within the United States. Prospective F-1 students must apply at the schools and receive a form I-20 in order to apply for an F-1 visa. F-1 students must show that they are able to support themselves during their stay in the U.S., as their opportunities for legal employment are quite limited. F-2 visas are given to dependents of an F-1 student. F-2 visa-holders are prohibited from any form of compensated employment. However, minor children may attend public schools. Finally, the F-3 visa is issued to Canadians and Mexicans who commute across the border to attend American schools.
Title 8 of the United States Code codifies statutes relating to aliens and nationality in the United States Code.
The E-2 Investor Visa allows an individual to enter and work in the United States based on an investment in a U.S. business. The E-2 visa is valid for three months to five years and can be extended indefinitely. The investment must be "substantial", although there is no legally defined minimum. The E-2 visa is available only to citizens of certain countries.
The Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007 or STRIVE Act of 2007 is proposed United States legislation designed to address the problem of illegal immigration, introduced into the United States House of Representatives. Its supporters claim it would toughen border security, increase enforcement of and criminal penalties for illegal immigration, and establish an employment verification system to identify illegal aliens working in the United States. It would also establish new programs for both illegal aliens and new immigrant workers to achieve legal citizenship. Critics allege that the bill would turn law enforcement agencies into social welfare agencies as it would not allow CBP to detain illegal immigrants that are eligible for Z-visas and would grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens with very few restrictions.
Visa requirements for Australian passport holders are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Australia entering with an Australian passport.
The H-1B1 visa is a variant of the H-1B visa in the United States for nationals of Singapore and Chile. The version for Singapore is called the H-1B1-Singapore and the version for Chile is called the H-1B1-Chile. These categories were introduced with the Singapore–United States Free Trade Agreement and Chile–United States Free Trade Agreement respectively, both of which were ratified in 2003 by the 108th United States Congress and became active on January 1, 2004. The visas are also called FTA visas because they were provided for through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status is one of the forms issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is used by people currently in the United States in a non-immigrant status to change the classification for their status and/or extend their stay with their current status. Both the current status and the status to which the transition is being sought must be non-immigrant visa statuses.
In the United States, the most common visa used for short-term trips is the B visa. This is a combination of the B-1 visa and the B-2 visa. People on B visas are generally not allowed to engage in productive work or study activities. However, in some cases, B visas can be issued that allow people to engage in some types of productive work and learning activity, in lieu of another visa. The three visa categories, for which a B visa could be issued instead, are the H-1B visa, H-3 visa, and J-1 visa. The U.S. Department of State recommends that consular officers clearly annotate such B visas to make the scope of the visa clear to the applicant and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry.
The H-1A visa was a visa that was previously available to foreign nationals seeking temporary employment in the United States. These visas were made available to foreign nurses coming into the United States to perform services as a registered nurse in areas with a shortage of health professionals as determined by the Department of Labor. The creation of this visa was prompted by a nursing shortage.
An I-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States for foreign media representatives and journalists who travel to the United States for the purpose of working exclusively in their profession. All applicants must meet eligibility criteria, which requires them to be residents of foreign countries, working for foreign information outlets headquartered in their respective countries.