Visiting the U.S.

Millions of foreign visitors travel to the United States each year for pleasure. They come as tourists or to visit family and friends. Others come for specific purposes, such as medical treatment, a conference or training.

Most of these visitors need B-2 visitor visas to enter the United States. Some visitors, however, can travel to the United States for tourism under the Visa Waiver Program. Canadian citizens can enter with evidence of their citizenship and a photo ID if they arrive directly from Canada.

If you want to travel to the United States to study or to work, you will need a different kind of visa.

American immigration law assumes that all people who come to the United States will stay. That is, they are intending immigrants. If you want to qualify for a visitor visa, you must show the following:

• The purpose of your trip is for pleasure;
• You plan to stay for a specific, limited period of time; and
• You have strong social and economic connections outside the United States and you will return abroad at the end of your visit.

» Learn More