Apply for your tourist visa
Confirm where to apply based on your passport and legal residence, then prepare your documents.
Prepare your application
Complete Form DS-160 online, electronically sign and submit it yourself unless exempt, and bring its confirmation page. Interviews are generally required, with limited exceptions; a consular officer may still require one. Schedule in your country of nationality or residence. Use a designated post if your nationality country has no routine visa operations and you do not reside elsewhere. Applying outside the appropriate post may make qualification harder; fees may not transfer or be refunded, and waits may be longer. Follow the post’s instructions because application steps, fees and waits vary.
Submit through the official channel
Use a U.S. B visitor visa. Check the current instructions and total government charges before paying.
Review the decision before departure
Check the passport details, dates and entry conditions on the permission you receive.
Getting started [1]
- 1
Prepare your application
Complete Form DS-160 online, electronically sign and submit it yourself unless exempt, and bring its confirmation page. Interviews are generally required, with limited exceptions; a consular officer may still require one. Schedule in your country of nationality or residence. Use a designated post if your nationality country has no routine visa operations and you do not reside elsewhere. Applying outside the appropriate post may make qualification harder; fees may not transfer or be refunded, and waits may be longer. Follow the post’s instructions because application steps, fees and waits vary.
- 2
Submit through the official channel
Use a U.S. B visitor visa. Check the current instructions and total government charges before paying.
- 3
Review the decision before departure
Check the passport details, dates and entry conditions on the permission you receive.
Already applied
- 1
Keep your reference
Save your application reference, payment receipt and the email address used to apply.
- 2
Follow up through your application channel
Check the official application service or responsible mission for a decision and any requests for information.
- 3
Wait for the decision
A submitted application or payment receipt does not establish that a visa or authorisation has been granted.
Have approval
- 1
Compare it with your passport
Check your name, passport number and the passport you will actually use to travel.
- 2
Check dates and entries
Read the validity dates, permitted stay and number of entries. These are separate conditions.
- 3
Prepare for the journey
Follow the official instructions for carrying or displaying your permission, and complete the entry checklist below.
Check your stay and passport validity
Enter your arrival and departure dates to count your stay and check how long your passport must stay valid.
Travel preparation checklist
Check each item’s requirement level and the conditions that apply.
Your circumstances may require additional documents. Ticks track preparation, not eligibility or admission.
Fees and processing time
Plan your budget and travel dates with the published fees and timing guidance.
What it costs
Amounts are published separately. If more than one charge applies to your trip, add them; if they are versions of the same permission, only the one you apply for is charged.
- B-1/B-2 application processing fee
- USD 185
- Visa Integrity Fee (FY2026 statutory amount)
- USD 256
The State Department lists a non-refundable USD 185 B-1/B-2 application fee, and a nationality-dependent reciprocal issuance fee may also apply. Federal law separately requires a Visa Integrity Fee when a nonimmigrant visa is issued; its calculated FY2026 amount is USD 256. The State Department's published fee page still lists the USD 185 application fee but does not explain how or when the separate fee is collected. Confirm current payment instructions with your U.S. post before paying. The law allows reimbursement only after the visa expires and only if its conditions are met.
Read the official fee guidance [6]Published government charges. Check the official service for the final total before you pay.
Check the current interview estimate and instructions for the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply, and apply well before travel. Visitor-interview estimates are based on post workload and staffing, can change week to week, and do not guarantee an appointment. Published processing estimates exclude administrative processing and passport-return time; if additional processing is required, the officer will tell you and the time varies by case.
United States arrival steps
Check the timing and conditions for each arrival step.
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
If you are a nonimmigrant who is not exempt, CBP generally issues an I-94 as evidence of your admission terms. It is usually issued electronically during air or sea admission. At a land border, apply at the port or online up to seven days before arrival only if you are required to have one; a provisional online record does not guarantee admission. Exemptions include U.S. citizens, returning permanent residents, immigrant-visa holders and most Canadian visitors or transit passengers. If you entered on a visa, the CBP-set admitted-until date or D/S on your admission stamp or paper I-94 controls your authorized stay; your visa's expiration date does not set how long you may stay.
Arrival guidanceOfficial reference [2]Entry conditions and exceptions
Check whether these rules affect your eligibility, application, or arrival.
Your admission date controls how long you may stay
A visitor visa's validity does not set the length of an individual stay. USCIS says B-1/B-2 visitors are normally admitted for no more than six months, but CBP determines the authorized stay for each visit. Follow the admit-until date on your electronic I-94 or admission stamp, not the visa expiration date.
Official guidance [8]Choose the correct U.S. interview post
For an ordinary B visitor visa, State says to schedule at a U.S. post in your country of nationality or residence. If routine U.S. nonimmigrant-visa services are not provided for your nationality, schedule at the designated processing post unless you reside elsewhere; be ready to demonstrate that residence. Applying outside your country of nationality or residence, or the designated post, may make it harder to qualify and can mean significantly longer waits. Fees paid for those out-of-location applications will not be refunded or transferred. State may make rare exceptions for humanitarian or medical emergencies, or foreign-policy reasons.
Official guidance [9]United States travel essentials
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Currency
- USD
- Calling code
- +1
United States entry questions
Do Belarusian citizens need a visa for the United States?
For tourism in the United States, ordinary passport holders from Belarus need a visa before travel. B-1/B-2 visitors are normally admitted for no more than six months. CBP sets your actual stay; follow your I-94, not your visa expiry date.
How much passport validity do I need?
At least 6 months after planned departure.
How much is the government fee?
B-1/B-2 application processing fee: USD 185 per person. Visa Integrity Fee (FY2026 statutory amount): USD 256 per person.
How long does a decision take?
Check the current interview estimate and instructions for the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply, and apply well before travel. Visitor-interview estimates are based on post workload and staffing, can change week to week, and do not guarantee an appointment. Published processing estimates exclude administrative processing and passport-return time; if additional processing is required, the officer will tell you and the time varies by case.
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record): what do I need to do?
Required only when the stated conditions apply. If you are a nonimmigrant who is not exempt, CBP generally issues an I-94 as evidence of your admission terms. It is usually issued electronically during air or sea admission. At a land border, apply at the port or online up to seven days before arrival only if you are required to have one; a provisional online record does not guarantee admission. Exemptions include U.S. citizens, returning permanent residents, immigrant-visa holders and most Canadian visitors or transit passengers. If you entered on a visa, the CBP-set admitted-until date or D/S on your admission stamp or paper I-94 controls your authorized stay; your visa's expiration date does not set how long you may stay.
How long can I stay in the United States?
A visitor visa's validity does not set the length of an individual stay. USCIS says B-1/B-2 visitors are normally admitted for no more than six months, but CBP determines the authorized stay for each visit. Follow the admit-until date on your electronic I-94 or admission stamp, not the visa expiration date.
What fees apply for a United States visitor visa?
The State Department lists a non-refundable USD 185 B-1/B-2 application fee, and a nationality-dependent reciprocal issuance fee may also apply. Federal law separately requires a Visa Integrity Fee when a nonimmigrant visa is issued; its calculated FY2026 amount is USD 256. The State Department's published fee page still lists the USD 185 application fee but does not explain how or when the separate fee is collected. Confirm current payment instructions with your U.S. post before paying. The law allows reimbursement only after the visa expires and only if its conditions are met.
What if I’m going to work, study or stay longer?
This guide is for a short tourist visit on an ordinary passport. It does not establish eligibility for employment, study or residence. Use the destination’s official guidance for your actual purpose.
Does my country of residence change the answer?
Passport nationality and legal residence are different. This page starts with your passport. Residence can change where you apply and which application channel is available; an existing visa or residence permit may also create an exception. Check the official eligibility guidance for your circumstances.
Official visa and entry guidance
Confirm United States’s requirements directly with government authorities.
Open a U.S. B visitor visa
Complete Form DS-160 online, electronically sign and submit it yourself unless exempt, and bring its confirmation page. Interviews are generally required, with limited exceptions; a consular officer may still require one. Schedule in your country of nationality or residence. Use a designated post if your nationality country has no routine visa operations and you do not reside elsewhere. Applying outside the appropriate post may make qualification harder; fees may not transfer or be refunded, and waits may be longer. Follow the post’s instructions because application steps, fees and waits vary.
Open Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
Check current processing guidance
Check U.S. visitor visa guidance
Visitor visa categories, application steps and links to the Visa Waiver Program.
Check U.S. visa interview wait times
Interview appointments vary by location and the estimate is not a guaranteed appointment date.
Read the Visa Integrity Fee law
The statute covers the fee due when a nonimmigrant visa is issued and the conditions for reimbursement.
Check the State Department fee schedule
The public schedule lists the B visitor visa application and possible reciprocity fees. Confirm your payment instructions with the U.S. post handling your case.
Open a U.S. B visitor visa
· U.S. Department of StateComplete Form DS-160 online, electronically sign and submit it yourself unless exempt, and bring its confirmation page. Interviews are generally required, with limited exceptions; a consular officer may still require one. Schedule in your country of nationality or residence. Use a designated post if your nationality country has no routine visa operations and you do not reside elsewhere. Applying outside the appropriate post may make qualification harder; fees may not transfer or be refunded, and waits may be longer. Follow the post’s instructions because application steps, fees and waits vary.
https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx- https://www.usa.gov/arrival-departure-record
Open Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
· USAGov, U.S. General Services Administration - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html
Check current processing guidance
· U.S. Department of State Check U.S. visitor visa guidance
· U.S. Department of StateVisitor visa categories, application steps and links to the Visa Waiver Program.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.htmlCheck U.S. visa interview wait times
· U.S. Department of StateInterview appointments vary by location and the estimate is not a guaranteed appointment date.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/global-visa-wait-times.htmlRead the Visa Integrity Fee law
· U.S. Code, Office of the Law Revision CounselThe statute covers the fee due when a nonimmigrant visa is issued and the conditions for reimbursement.
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1806&num=0&edition=prelimCheck the State Department fee schedule
· U.S. Department of StateThe public schedule lists the B visitor visa application and possible reciprocity fees. Confirm your payment instructions with the U.S. post handling your case.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-expiration-date.html
U.S. visa validity and authorized stay
· U.S. Department of State - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/list-of-posts-niv.html
List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates that Process Nonimmigrant Visas
· U.S. Department of State
Who this guide covers
Short tourist visits to United States with an ordinary Belarus passport. Residence, travel documents, and purpose can affect the rules. Confirm the official guidance before travel; border authorities decide admission and your permitted stay.
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