US B1/B2 visa in 2026: application form, photo and interview step by step

The US tourist visa scares many applicants. The form is filled out in English, and at the interview you have to prove that you will return home. The good news is different: you won't have to collect a pile of paperwork here.

This is about the B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa for short trips. Citizens of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and most EU countries travel to the USA on ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program. They need a B1/B2 visa only in special cases. This visa is issued for one year or several years at once, almost always with multiple entry rights. The exact duration depends on agreements between the US and your country.

The procedure fits into a clear sequence: form, photo, fee, interview appointment, and the interview itself. Below we show each step and the places where applicants most often make mistakes.

The fee amount and the new additional payment are covered in step 3.

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Step 1: fill out the DS-160 form

💡 In short:

• The DS-160 form is filled out online in the CEAC system.
• A digital photo is attached to the form, and the page with the barcode is printed.
• Fees and timelines: 09/2026, verified on the official website.

Start with the DS-160 form. This is the most extensive stage, and the officer makes the decision based on your answers. So fill out the form yourself, without intermediaries.

The form opens on the CEAC portal and is filled out in English. It takes about 90 minutes in total (according to the US Department of State).

Keep your passport, old visas, and employer addresses handy. This will help you get through the employment section faster.

At the end you will receive a confirmation page with a barcode. Print it out and bring it to the interview. Without it, you won't be allowed into the consulate. The draft is stored in the system for a limited time, so don't stretch out filling it in over weeks.

Step 2: prepare a 5 by 5 centimeter photo

The US visa photo is not like the Schengen one. You need a 2 by 2 inch shot, that is 5 by 5 centimeters, on a white background and strictly facing forward (according to the photo requirements).

You upload the digital file directly into the DS-160 form. Take the photo without glasses, with a neutral facial expression. Sharpness and even lighting matter more than the background.

The photo must be recent, no older than six months (according to the digital requirements).

Bring a printed 5 by 5 cm photo with you as well. Formally it's not always requested, but if there are problems with the digital file, a backup will save you.

Step 3: pay the fee and book an interview

After the form, you pay the consular fee and book an interview. In Poland, payment is accepted by bank card during booking. Slots open only after payment.

The B1/B2 fee is 185 dollars (as of 09/2026, 2026 fee overview). A new payment is being prepared alongside it: the Visa Integrity Fee of 250 dollars under the law of July 4, 2025. It is not yet collected, but the launch is expected in the coming months.

If the visa is approved, the total fee could rise to 435 dollars (according to the payment summary).

Booking depends on the city. In Warsaw and Krakow, slots appear faster than, for example, in Istanbul. Allow a buffer of several weeks, and more in summer.

What to bring to the interview besides the form

There is no standard package of documents here. Only three things are mandatory: the DS-160 confirmation, a valid passport, and the interview appointment.

Other papers are not mandatory, but they help. Bring documents for your apartment or car, marriage certificate, children's birth certificates. This confirms your ties to your country of residence.

If your travel history is short or you have had previous refusals, a complex case is better prepared in advance. An agency consultation helps here, but the final decision is still made by the consular officer.

How the interview goes

The interview takes a few minutes and is by appointment. Check the interview language when booking on the consulate website.

You learn the result immediately after the interview. If refused, your passport is returned on the spot. If approved, it is taken for processing and returned within a few business days.

Plan overnight stays in advance. Sometimes the passport takes longer to process, and an extra day in the city will cost less than a repeat trip.

How long the visa is valid and how long you can stay in the US

The visa validity period is not the same as the length of stay in the country. The B1/B2 visa can be single-entry or multiple-entry, and its duration depends on the applicant's country (according to the Department of State).

You can stay in the US on a tourist visa for up to 180 days per entry (according to the US Department of State). The exact period is set by the officer at the border: they record it in the electronic I-94 record.

A visa does not guarantee entry. At passport control, you may be asked about your plans and money, and in rare cases sent back. If there are no hidden migration intentions, the risk is minimal.

What increases your chances of approval

At the interview, it's important to prove that you will return home. A permanent job, a work contract, and an accumulated travel history work best.

The second factor: a correctly filled out form. Based on consulate experience, some refusals start at this stage, especially with a first self-filed application. The officer reads your answers first, and asks questions later.

Property also counts: an owned apartment or house, and even better when parents or children remain nearby. The final decision rests with the consular staff member.

Before your trip, compare insurance options.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a US tourist visa cost?

The B1/B2 consular fee is 185 dollars (as of 09/2026, VisasNews data). Read about the new additional payment in step 3. The fee is paid before the interview, and it is not refunded if refused.

Can you get a visa without an interview?

Only in narrow cases. The waiver program has been significantly narrowed; now the exception mainly works for renewing a full visa of the same type. Everyone else is assigned a personal interview at the consulate (according to the US Department).

Do you need to buy tickets and book a hotel in advance?

No. Hotel bookings and tickets are not required for the interview, and a visa does not guarantee entry. If you want to show a travel plan, a rough itinerary and dates are enough. Buy tickets after approval.

How long can you stay in the US on a tourist visa?

On a B1/B2 visa, up to 180 days per entry is usually allowed (according to the official visa page). The I-94 record matters, not the stamp in your passport. Read more in the section on visa validity.

Will you get a visa if you had a previous refusal?

A refusal does not close the path forever. When applying again, honestly indicate past refusals in the form: a hidden fact will be found, and it will work against you. Changed circumstances, a permanent job, and trips to other countries help.

In short: what to book

Plan your trip after approval, not before the interview. Buy tickets right after getting the visa, while flight options are wider and prices are lower.

If you're going for a week, check out US hotels on Trip.com. If your route is longer and covers several cities, find flights on Kiwi.com. Before departure, set up an eSIM for the US so you don't have to look for a local SIM at the airport.

The preparation itself takes more time than the interview. Go through the steps carefully, and your passport with the visa will come back faster than you expect.