B-1/B-2: The Basics of the U.S. Visitor Visa

What is the B-1/B-2 visitor visa?

The B-1/B-2 is the classic U.S. visitor visa for temporary stays. It combines two categories: B-1 for business visits (such as meetings, negotiations and conferences) and B-2 for tourism, family visits and medical treatment. In practice, U.S. consulates almost always issue German applicants a combined B-1/B-2 visa, so you can travel for both business and pleasure. The visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port of entry – the actual admission and permitted length of stay are decided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on arrival.

Important first: most German nationals do not need a visa at all and travel with the electronic travel authorization ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program. Whether ESTA is enough for you or you need a B-1/B-2 is explained below and in our ESTA vs. visa comparison. Our free visa check helps you determine the right travel authorization in minutes.

B-1 or B-2: which visa covers what?

The category depends on the purpose of your trip. On a B-1 you conduct business without being employed in the U.S. On a B-2 you travel for private or medical reasons. Because the visa is usually issued as a combined B-1/B-2, you do not have to commit at application time – you simply state the relevant purpose at the border.

Source of permitted activities: travel.state.gov (Visitor Visa).

What is allowed on the B-1 – and what is not?

The B-1 permits business activities that do not amount to employment in the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of State, these include in particular:

• consulting with business associates
• attending scientific, educational, professional or business conventions and conferences
• negotiating contracts
• settling an estate
• visiting trade fairs and industry events

Important: On a B-1 you may not perform paid work and may not take up employment in the U.S. Hands-on or productive labor is also off-limits. Anyone wanting to work for a U.S. employer or be paid in the U.S. needs a work visa.

The line between a permitted business trip and prohibited employment is often tricky in detail – for example with assignments, installations or longer project deployments. We explain these nuances in our guide to business travel to the USA. When in doubt, seek advice before carrying out an activity on a B-1.

What does the B-2 cover?

The B-2 is the tourist and visitor visa. Permitted activities include:

• holidays and recreational travel
• visiting family members and friends
• medical treatment and procedures
• attending social events of clubs or organizations
• amateur participation in music, sports or similar contests (if unpaid)
• short recreational or hobby classes that do not count toward a degree

Not permitted on a B-1/B-2 are academic study for credit, any employment, paid performances before a paying audience, working as a ship or aircraft crew member, professional journalism or media work, permanent residence, and travel with the primary purpose of giving birth in the U.S. ("birth tourism").

Who needs a B-1/B-2 – instead of ESTA?

Germany participates in the Visa Waiver Program, so most German nationals travel without a visa using only an ESTA authorization. You typically need a B-1/B-2 visa if one of the following applies:

• your stay will last longer than 90 days (ESTA allows only up to 90 days per entry)
• you have relevant criminal convictions or certain past arrests
• your ESTA application was denied or a previous U.S. visa was refused
• you have travelled to countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, North Korea or Cuba after certain dates, or hold their nationality as well (ESTA is then unavailable)
• your travel purpose goes beyond the ESTA rules

For a detailed comparison, see ESTA or visa: what you need. If you are unsure, use the visa check.

How do I apply for a B-1/B-2 visa? (Step by step)

In Germany, applications are processed through the U.S. consulates in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. The process at a glance:

1. Complete Form DS-160. You fill out the online application DS-160 on the Department of State website (ceac.state.gov). At the end you receive a confirmation page with a barcode that you print and bring to the interview. See our guide completing the DS-160.
2. Pay the MRV fee. The application fee (MRV fee) is US $185 in 2026. It is non-refundable even if your visa is refused. The payment receipt is required to book an appointment.
3. Schedule the interview. Through your profile at the official provider ustraveldocs.com you book an appointment at one of the three consulates. Since May 2025, the DS-160 confirmation number (starting with "AA") must exactly match the number entered when booking.
4. Attend the visa interview. At the in-person interview, the consular officer reviews your travel purpose and your ties to Germany. See how to prepare in visa interview at the embassy.
5. Receive your passport. If the visa is approved, the consulate keeps your passport and returns it with the visa affixed by courier – usually within a few business days.

Tip: Because interview wait times can be long, apply as early as possible – ideally 2 to 3 months before your trip. For purely touristic B-2 applications, emergency appointments are generally not granted, even if flights are already booked.

What does the B-1/B-2 visa cost in 2026?

The core fee is the MRV application fee of US $185 (2026, source: travel.state.gov). It applies to nearly every applicant – regardless of whether the visa is granted or refused. For German nationals, the B category usually has no additional issuance fee (reciprocity fee); the State Department's reciprocity tables are authoritative.

The "Visa Integrity Fee" 2026

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which took effect in July 2025, introduced a new Visa Integrity Fee of US $250 for most nonimmigrant visas – including B-1/B-2. Key points:

• the fee is due at visa issuance, in addition to the MRV fee
• it cannot be waived or reduced and rises annually with inflation (Consumer Price Index) from fiscal year 2026
• ESTA travelers under the Visa Waiver Program and immigrant visa applicants are exempt
• a refund is provided for by law if travellers comply with all visa rules – but the exact process was not yet defined as of mid-2026

Note: Despite the legislation, actual collection of the Visa Integrity Fee was not yet fully implemented by mid-2026; cross-agency coordination between DHS and the State Department was still pending per a Federal Register notice. Always check the current status on travel.state.gov before applying to see whether the fee already applies to you.

For an overview of how we support your application and preparation, see Services.

Visa validity vs. length of stay – the most important difference

Many travellers confuse two entirely different periods. The expiration date on the visa tells you until when you may travel to a U.S. port of entry – not how long you may stay. For German nationals, the B-1/B-2 is often issued with a validity of up to 10 years (at the consulate's discretion). The actual permitted length of stay is set by CBP on each entry and recorded on the electronic Form I-94 – usually up to 6 months per visit for visitors.

Crucial: A valid visa does not guarantee entry. The binding date for your departure is solely the "Admitted until" date on your I-94, not the visa expiration date. Check your I-94 online on the CBP website after entry.

Section 214(b): immigrant intent and proving strong ties

Under U.S. law, visitor visas carry a statutory presumption of immigrant intent (Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act). This means the consular officer initially assumes you might stay in the U.S. – and you must credibly rebut that. You do so by demonstrating strong ties to Germany that make your return likely, for example:

• a permanent employment contract or your own business in Germany
• family, spouse or children resident in Germany
• property, rental or other economic obligations
• a clearly defined, time-limited travel purpose with a return plan

When an application is refused under 214(b), it is almost always because these ties were not convincing enough. You can reapply once circumstances improve or you can provide additional evidence.

What should I bring to the interview?

The consulates do not require a fixed document list, but the following have proven useful:

• a valid passport (generally valid at least six months beyond the planned stay)
• the DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
• the appointment confirmation and MRV fee payment receipt
• a biometric photo meeting U.S. requirements (if the upload was not accepted)
• evidence of your ties to Germany (employer letter, property records, family documents)
• proof of your travel purpose (invitation, conference papers, treatment plan, itinerary)
• if needed, financial evidence covering the stay

Bring only originals or clear copies and keep your documents well organized. For detailed notes on the procedure and typical questions, see our article on the visa interview.

Conclusion

The B-1/B-2 is the versatile standard visitor visa for business and private U.S. travel when ESTA is not sufficient. Three points matter most: respect the limits of permitted activities (no paid work on a B-1), understand the difference between visa validity and length of stay, and convince the consulate with strong ties to Germany. The final decision on the visa and entry always rests with the U.S. authorities. If you would like support with your application, see our services or start with the visa check.