The United States welcomes millions of tourists each year for leisure activities and short-term business or medical purposes because it is one of the world's top tourist destinations. The United States welcomes millions of visitors each year from various countries who participate in tourism along with family visits and temporary business needs and medical treatments. Foreign passport holders who reside in Canada require a B1/B2 visa to travel to the United States for short visits.
The B1/B2 Visa provides non-immigrant status for temporary travel to the United States.
Most applicants receive a combined B1/B2 visa, allowing flexibility for both business and personal travel. The amount of time allowed for each visit is established by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon entry which generally extends for 6 months.
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Residents of Canada holding Indian passports must acquire a B1/B2 visa to visit the United States. Visas are not required for short visits to the U.S. by Canadian citizens but foreign passport holders living in Canada need to complete the standard visa process. The application proceeds through DS-160 online submission followed by an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, or Calgary.
The table below has a complete overview of the different types of US visit visas:
| Visa Type | Purpose |
| B-1 | Business meetings & conference |
| B-2 | For vacation, participate in contests or social events or for medical treatment. |
| Transit C | Traveling to other countries through the US, stopping for a short time in the US |
| Transit C-1, D, and C-1/D | Crew members of international airlines or sea vessels traveling to the US |
| H-1B and Dependents | H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work visa. Dependents cannot accompany the visa holders. |
| L1 and Dependents | An l-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for intra-company transfers. |
| J1 and Dependents | J-1 visa is for work-and-study-based exchange and visitor programs in the U.S |
US Tourist Visa applicants must fulfil the following requirements:
You can follow the below steps to acquire a US Tourist Visa from Canada:
Step 1: Complete the DS-160 visa application form through online submission then save the confirmation page.
Step 2: Submit the visa application fee of approximately USD 185.
Step 3: Set up your profile on the U.S. Visa Information and Appointment Services Canada.
Step 4: Schedule your biometrics and consular interview appointment
Step 5: Track your application status while waiting for your passport to return with the attached visa.
A standard B1/B2 visa application costs USD 185.
The table below has a complete breakdown of the US visa costs:
| Visa Type | Cost |
| Non-immigrant visa types such as tourist, business, student, and exchange visas | US$185 |
| Petition-based visas | US$205 |
Note: The visa fees once paid is non-refundable, no matter the outcome of the application.
Different US Visa types come with different durations of validity.
The table below gives you an overview of the validity for each US visit visa:
| Visa Type | Purpose | Validity | Stay Duration per Visit |
| B1 | Business | Up to 10 years | Up to 6 months |
| B2 | Tourism/Medical | Up to 10 years | Up to 6 months |
| B1/B2 | Business + Tourism | Up to 10 years | Up to 6 months |
| C | Transit through U.S. | Up to 29 days | Single entry |
The DS-160 serves as the official non-immigrant U.S. visa application document. The form requires online completion before printing the confirmation page which you must bring to your visa appointment. The application contains inquiries regarding travel details and background information along with employment data and security checks. The DS 160 form must reflect accurate details that align with your submitted documents because inaccurate information may result in application rejections or delays.
All B1/B2 visa seekers must fill out the DS-160 as the mandatory online Non-immigrant Visa Application form. The form completion process takes place through the Consular Electronic Application Centre (CEAC) website. You need to print the confirmation page that contains the barcode after submitting your application because you need it to book your visa interview. Each person who applies for a visa needs to complete their individual DS-160 application form including children.
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The process to obtain a U.S. Tourist Visa (B2) from Canada is as follows:
Step 1: Fill out the DS-160 form through the CEAC website.
Step 2: Pay a non-refundable amount of USD 185 for the application.
Step 3: Schedule your biometric and visa interview appointments at the U.S. consulate in Canada.
Step 4: Carry your DS-160 confirmation along with the visa documents to the interview.
Step 5: Await the visa status
The visa expiration cannot be extended but you can submit Form I-539 to USCIS no less than 45 days before your current I-94 expiration. The application process needs you to show valid reasons along with financial proof and strong ties to Canada. USCIS has authority to approve extensions which does not automatically guarantee longer stays. Future visa applications may be affected by overstaying so it is important to apply early and respect your authorized stay duration.
The U.S. B1/B2 visa duration varies based on the holder's nationality. Indian passport holders in Canada receive a visa that allows multiple entries across a 10-year period. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry determines that each visit can have a maximum duration of 6 months. Before traveling you should check the visa sticker expiration date and maintain the duration specified on your I-94 record.
You may be eligible for renewal if your previous U.S. tourist visa remains valid or expired within the last 48 months. To renew your visa you need to complete a new DS-160 form and pay the required fee. When renewal through interview waiver is not an option you must obtain a new interview appointment and complete the standard application process for new applicants.
No, a U.S tourist visa cannot be converted to a student visa. You cannot convert a U.S. Tourist Visa (B2) into a Student Visa (F1 or M1). Students in the U.S. on a B2 visa need to submit Form I-539 together with an approved I-20 from a SEVP school and financial documentation when requesting a status change through USCIS. You can also alternatively return to Canada and apply for a student visa through the U.S. consulate. The process of changing status is both unpredictable and lengthy in nature.
The cost to obtain a U.S. B1/B2 visa is USD 185. All visa application fees remain non-refundable regardless of the final visa decision. The application process may also include additional charges for visa delivery along with premium appointment slots and the option to purchase travel insurance.
The time it takes to process your application depends on the scheduling availability of U.S. consulate appointments in Canada. You can expect to receive your passport with visa after 7–10 business days following the interview and biometrics. The processing time might extend during busy travel periods and cases requiring additional assessment. To prevent delays it is recommended that you apply for a U.S. Tourist Visa between 4 to 6 weeks prior to your expected travel departure date.
Given below are the top 5 reasons that could cause a U.S tourist visa rejection:
Note: The visa officers need to be sure that applicants will return to their home country before making their decision. Submitting well-structured applications together with transparent information and complete documentation helps gain visa approval.
The standard validity period for U.S. B1/B2 visas issued to Indian passport holders in Canada is ten years while allowing multiple entries. Each visit to the U.S. lets you stay six months as determined by immigration officers. The visa's usability period exists only for entering the U.S. since the stay duration is not restricted by time. After entering the US, you must check both your visa's expiration date and your I-94 record to prevent overstaying.
The process of obtaining a U.S. Tourist Visa starts by following the below steps:
Step 1: Completing the DS-160 form
Step 2: After you submit your application you need to pay your visa fee through the application system
Step 3: Schedule your biometric and interview appointments at a U.S. consulate in Canada.
Step 4: After the visa approval your document will be stamped by the consulate and returned to you through courier delivery.
Step 5: You may receive your visa within 7–10 business days.
