It’s no secret that getting a US visa is no walk in the park. It’s not just the long wait, it’s also the lengthy process one has to undergo in terms of documentation, interview and everything in between. But once you get your US visa, with it comes several benefits for Indians, both for tourism and other purposes.
Tourism and travel
Needless to say, when it comes to travelling, with your US visa, you have access to the whole of the United States for up to 10 years with multiple entries. One can stay for up to six months on each visit.
The application fee for the non-immigrant visa types is US$185. Non-immigrant visas include tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. These visas are valid for up to 10 years. However, visitors on B1 B2 visas can stay for a period of six months in the United States.
For business purposes
With your B-1 category visa, you will be able to enter the United States temporarily for business purposes. This comes under visitor visas.
Education
With your F-1 student visa, you can pursue education in American universities and institutions. In case of dependents, the F-2 visa is for a dependent spouse or an unmarried child under the age of 21. With this F-2 visa, one will be able to stay in the United States during the F-1 student’s study programme.
Here comes the much-coveted H-1B visa. This visa allows professionals to work in the United States, especially those in specialised fields (skilled workers).
For medical treatments
For this, there is the B-2 visa. With this visa, individuals can visit the United States for specialised medical treatments.
Cultural Exchange
Having a US visa allows you entry into the country. But there is a special category of visa called the Q-1 visa which allows the applicant to participate in cultural exchange programs in the country.
For visiting friends and family
For this, you will have to apply for the B-1/B-2 visa. This enables the applicant to visit friends and family living in the United States.
Countries you can visit with a U.S tourist visa: Travellers with a valid U.S tourist visa also travel visa free to several other countries. These are: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Panama, Anguilla, the Caribbeans like Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius & St Maarten, the Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia (Transit Without Visa), and Taiwan (Travel Authorisation Certificate).
The US visa processing is no doubt time consuming and sometimes complicated, but once you get the right kind of visa, the one that fits your purpose, there are a lot of benefits that come with it. It is always advised to consult with relevant authorities before one applies for the visa.