USA visa guide: ESTA, B1/B2 and how long interviews really take
US visa requirements in 2026 — Visa Waiver Program and ESTA, B1/B2 tourist visas, the DS-160, fees, interview wait times and common refusal grounds.
Travellers from the 40+ Visa Waiver Program countries visit the United States for up to 90 days with an ESTA costing $21, approved in minutes to 72 hours. Everyone else applies for a B1/B2 visitor visa: a DS-160 form, a $185 fee and a consular interview, where waits range from days to over a year.
ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program
If you hold a VWP passport, an approved ESTA lets you enter for up to 90 days for tourism or business, valid two years or until the passport expires. Travel to certain countries after March 2011, or dual nationality with them, disqualifies you from ESTA and pushes you to the B1/B2 route.
The B1/B2 visitor visa
You complete the DS-160 online, pay $185, attend biometrics where required, and interview. Officers assess whether you have shown strong ties to your home country under section 214(b) — employment, property, family and travel history all count. Visas are often issued for 5–10 years with multiple entries.
Interview waits and how to shorten them
Wait times are published per consulate and swing wildly. Interview waiver (dropbox) renewal is available for many applicants renewing within 48 months of a prior visa in the same class. Applying at your home post and requesting expedited appointments for genuine emergencies are the realistic levers.
At the border
A visa authorises travel to the port of entry, not admission. CBP officers decide the length of stay recorded on the I-94, usually up to six months for B2. Working, studying full time or effectively living in the US on visitor status is the fastest way to lose it.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a US tourist visa in 2026?
$185 for the B1/B2 application fee. ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program costs $21 and covers two years of short visits.
How long is the US visa interview wait?
From a few days to more than a year depending on the consulate. Check the published wait for your post before booking travel.
Why are US visitor visas refused?
Most refusals cite section 214(b): the applicant did not demonstrate sufficient ties abroad to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent.