How to Obtain My United States Tourist Visa Number From Mexico

Visit the United States as a tourist under the B-2 visa.

If you are living in Mexico and are considering traveling to the United States for tourism, you must apply for a B-2 visa. The B-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows you to visit the United States for a specific length of time. Since applying for a U.S. visa can be lengthy process, it is highly recommended that you begin your application as early as possible. In addition, do not purchase airplane tickets to the United States until you receive your B-2 visa.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Complete Form DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, by going to the U.S. Department of State homepage (https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp). You must select "B-2 - Visitor for Pleasure" under the "What type of Visa?" list.

2. Select "Continue" and then print the completed PDF form.

3. Download Form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, if you are a male between the ages of 16 and 45 years of age by going to http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/126741.pdf

4. Complete the form by typing directly into it. Print the completed form.

5. Visit a U.S. embassy (or consular)-approved financial institution and pay your nonimmigrant visa fee; as of 2010, this fee is USD $131. Get documented proof of your visa fee payment from the institution. To find the list of approved financial institutions, locate your local U.S. Embassy homepage by going to http://www.usembassy.gov/

6. Get supporting documents for your visa application. Supporting documents may include, but are not limited to, bank statements showing sufficient proof of financial resources, documents showing proof of strong ties to your home country and a travel itinerary.

7. Contact a photographer and have a 2-inch by 2-inch passport size photograph taken of you. The photo must be in color and must be taken within six months of your application.

8. Submit your visa application to your local U.S. consular office and then wait for up to three weeks to receive further instructions on scheduling a visa interview. Schedule your visa interview, as instructed by your local U.S. consular office.

9. Attend and pass your visa interview. Wait up to four business days, if not less, to receive your tourist/B-2 visa. Your B-2 visa number is located under the "Control Number" section under "United States of America.

References

• U.S. Department of State: Visitor Visas - Business and Pleasure
• U.S. Department of State: Fees for Visa Services

Resources

• Discover America