Non-Immigrant Visas

B-2 Visa (Holiday visa)

In general, holiday makers and persons visiting friends and relatives in the United States require valid B-2 visas.

B-2 visas are also issued to persons planning to receive medical treatment in the United States. 

All B-2 visa applicants, even children and babies listed in parents' passports are required to:

• Complete the visa application form DS-156 and DS-157;



• Pay a visa application fee;

• Present a passport or other travel document valid for at least six months beyond the holder's period of stay in the United States with at least one blank page. If the passport is damaged, we recommend that you obtain a new passport before applying for the visa to avoid any delay in the processing of your application;


• Provide one photograph which meets State Department regulations;

and present evidence of

• sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in the United States; and


• evidence to show that the applicant has a residence abroad to which he/she intends to return at the end of the stay in the United States. This is generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other ties and commitments to some country other than the United States sufficient to cause the applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay.

In addition to the requirements listed above, persons receiving medical treatment, including pregnancy-related medical treatment, in the United States are also required to submit the following:

• a letter from their local doctor describing the diagnosis and treatment received to date;
• a letter from a board-certified doctor in the United States accepting to treat the patient and describing the costs and estimated length of treatment;
• evidence of funds to pay for the proposed treatment in the United States.  If the doctor is waiving his/her fees, the patient must still show adequate funds to cover and hospital or drug charges and living expenses for the duration of their stay.

Issuance fees

Nationals of certain countries are required to pay an issuance fee in order for an approved visa to be issued. No fee is charged for the issuance of an B visa to a Gambian citizen passport holder.

What do I do next?

Applicants are required to schedule an appointment for an interview.

Important Notice: Visa applications are subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past which means that in some instances visa applications are taking longer to process to conclusion than has been customary. You will be advised at the time of the interview if your application requires additional processing.

Reminder: We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.