What is a 214(b) refusal?

US law presumes every visitor applicant intends to immigrate until they prove otherwise. A 214(b) means the officer wasn't convinced. It is not permanent — reapply when your circumstances have genuinely changed.

How long is the visa valid?

Validity depends on nationality reciprocity — often up to 10 years multiple-entry. Validity is how long you may seek entry; each admission length is set at the border.

Can visasfinder attend the interview for me?

No one can — the interview is personal by design. What preparation changes is the coherence of your file and your answers.

🇺🇸 United States

🇺🇸 United States · B-1/B-2 visitor visa

US B-1/B-2 visitor visa — the interview is the application

The B-1/B-2 covers business visits and tourism to the United States. The application (MRV) fee is USD 185, you complete the DS-160 online and attend an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate, and the real timeline is dominated by the interview-appointment wait — which varies from days to many months by post and is published live on travel.state.gov.

who needs it	Nationals of countries not in the Visa Waiver Program, and VWP nationals who don't qualify for ESTA.
government fee	USD 185 — MRV application fee, non-refundable; some nationalities pay an additional issuance feesource: travel.state.gov — Visitor visa · verified 2026-07
processing	interview wait varies from days to months depending on the postcheck the live appointment-wait tool for your consulate — after approval, passport return typically takes about a week · source: Global visa wait times · verified 2026-07
length of stay	Typically admitted up to 6 months per entry — the CBP officer at the border decides.

documents you will need

DS-160 confirmation page
Passport valid 6 months beyond your intended stay
MRV fee receipt and appointment confirmation
Evidence of ties and funds — bring it, though many interviews never open a folder
For business: invitation or event documentation

how the process runs

01Complete the DS-160 carefully — it is the record the officer reads
02Pay the MRV fee and book the interview
03Attend the interview; answers should match the DS-160 exactly
04If approved, the passport is returned with the visa by courier/pickup

why applications get refused

214(b) — presumption of immigrant intent not overcome; the most common refusal, decided in minutes
DS-160 inconsistencies with spoken answers
Prior overstays or status violations in the US
Insufficiently established professional or economic profile for the stated trip

questions we actually get

What is a 214(b) refusal?: US law presumes every visitor applicant intends to immigrate until they prove otherwise. A 214(b) means the officer wasn't convinced. It is not permanent — reapply when your circumstances have genuinely changed.
How long is the visa valid?: Validity depends on nationality reciprocity — often up to 10 years multiple-entry. Validity is how long you may seek entry; each admission length is set at the border.
Can visasfinder attend the interview for me?: No one can — the interview is personal by design. What preparation changes is the coherence of your file and your answers.

rules change. we verify before we act.

This guide reflects the official sources as of 2026-07 (matrix 2026.Q3). For a decision about your own case, that is not enough — talk to a licensed advisor.

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