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).
The B-2 classification can be used for a variety of activities that require a temporary entry to the United States "for pleasure." State Department regulations define the statutory term "pleasure" to encompass activities that are not so pleasurable as well:
Tourism
Amusement
Visits with friends or relatives
Rest
Medical treatment
Activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature
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The burden is upon the alien applicant to establish that he or she has a legitimate B-2 purpose for coming to the United States. Exactly what kind of documentation is sufficient varies by purpose. For tourism, a detailed agenda outlining "what, when and where" might be sufficient, even if it is verbally communicated. Applicants will also have to establish that they have sufficient finances to support them during their temporary period of stay, and that they have a residence abroad that they intend to return to after completing their visit to the United States. Documentation of property and bank accounts, a good description of family and social ties, and documentation of a job back home are all good ways to prove these elements.
Some examples of legitimate uses for the B-2 classification include the following:
