Abogados de Visitor Visas

Visitor Visas and Temporary Entry to the United States

Every year, millions of people apply for visitor visas to enter the United States for tourism, business meetings, or medical treatment. The process seems straightforward on paper, but denial rates for B-1/B-2 visas hover around 25-35% depending on the applicant's country of origin. A lawyer who handles visitor visa cases can make the difference between approval and a stamp that reads "refused."

What Visitor Visa Law Covers

Visitor visa law falls under the B-1 and B-2 nonimmigrant visa categories. B-1 visas cover business-related travel like attending conferences, negotiating contracts, or consulting with business associates. B-2 visas apply to tourism, visiting family, and seeking medical treatment.

This area also covers the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), extensions of stay, changes of status while in the U.S., and responses to visa denials under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Overstay issues and unlawful presence bars also fall within this practice area.

When to Hire a Visitor Visa Lawyer

• You've been denied a visitor visa and need to reapply with stronger documentation
• You need to extend your authorized stay or change your visa status while inside the U.S.
• You have a prior overstay, criminal record, or previous immigration violation that could trigger a ground of inadmissibility
• You're applying from a country with high denial rates and want to build a strong case showing ties to your home country
• A consular officer requested additional evidence or placed your application in administrative processing

How the Visitor Visa Process Works

The process starts with filing Form DS-160 online and paying the application fee, currently $185. Applicants then schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The consular officer decides during the interview whether you've demonstrated strong ties to your home country and a legitimate temporary purpose for visiting.

If denied, the officer cites a specific section of immigration law. A lawyer can analyze that denial, identify weaknesses in the original application, and prepare a stronger case for reapplication. For people already in the U.S., filing Form I-539 to extend or change status must happen before the authorized stay expires.

How Visa Outcomes Are Determined

• Ties to home country — officers evaluate your job, property, family, and financial connections abroad to judge whether you'll return
• Purpose of travel — a clear, specific, and documented reason for visiting strengthens your case
• Financial ability — applicants must show they can fund their trip without unauthorized employment in the U.S.
• Immigration history — prior overstays, visa denials, or violations weigh heavily against approval
• Country conditions — nationals from countries with high overstay rates face greater scrutiny at the interview stage

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reapply after a visitor visa denial?

Yes. There's no mandatory waiting period to reapply after a 214(b) denial. However, submitting the same application with no new information will likely produce the same result. You should address the specific reason for denial and present new or stronger evidence of ties to your home country.

What happens if I overstay my visitor visa?

Overstaying triggers serious consequences. If you remain unlawfully for more than 180 days and then leave, you face a three-year bar from reentering the U.S. Overstays exceeding one year result in a ten-year bar. These bars apply automatically once you depart, and waiver options are limited.