B Visa (Business or Visitor Visa).
B1 and B2 visas are generally referred to as “B visas”, and they are the most common types of visa issued for a wide range of uses in the United States. The B1 visa is issued mainly for short-term business trips, while the B2 visa is issued mainly traveling for tourism purposes.
Overview
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa:
Business (B-1)
- Consult with business associates
- Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
- Settle an estate
- Negotiate a contract
Learn more about Business Travel to the United States 
(PDF – 362 KB) on a visitor visa.
Tourism (B-2)
- Tourism
- Vacation (holiday)
- Visit with friends or relatives
- Medical treatment
- Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
- Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
- Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)
Learn more about Visitor Visas – Business and Pleasure (PDF – 1020 KB).
B1 | B2 Visitors Visa
Applicants who wish to schedule an appointment should first complete the DS-160 visa application at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. For student and tourist visa applicants, the fee is USD $160.
- YOUR PASSPORT – At least valid for a year.
- 2 X CONSULATE PHOTO’S – Must be 50MM X 50MM, not normal ID or Passport Photos
- AN INVITATION LETTER from the institution/family member/friend you are visiting, stating reason for your visit, where you will stay (address), who will be responsible for the expenses, dates you will be in the USA.
- BANK STATEMENTS – To show that you will be able to sustain yourself and your family while visiting the USA.
Then you will also need DOCUMENTS SHOWING THAT YOU HAVE STRONG TIES IN SOUTH AFRICA, this can be any of the following:
- PROPERTY
- EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP, such as a rates slip and/or a mortgage payment receipt. (e.g. a copy of the deed (Aktes) or a bank letter or lease contract (Huur Kontrak).
- If married the Consulate need a COPY OF YOUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.
- Copies of BIRTH CERTIFICATES of the children.
- A FLIGHT ITINERARY – As given to you by our offices.
- COMPLETED DS 160 FORMS FOR EACH PERSON – As given to you by our offices.
- STUDENTS – a letter from an institution official clearly stating your level of study, period of accepted travel and demonstrated intent to return and complete your studies.
- A letter from your employer in South Africa on an original letterhead, stating how long you have been employed, in what capacity (JOB DESCRIPTION), what your basic monthly salary is, and how long you will be away from work.
- SELF EMPLOYED APPLICANTS – A statement on your own letterhead in addition to independent evidence of self-employment, such as a detailed letter from the bank which handles your business account or a letter from your accounting firm. Such letters should specify your company’s name, when your account was opened.
- DHL COURIER FEE per person for Passport Delivering at a Street Address.
- THE APPOINTMENT CONFIRMATION SHEETS for each person, as received from our office.
