If you are planning on visiting the States on a tourist visa, then one of the main issues many people find is how much money in the bank do I need to come, or how much bank balance should I have to be able to get a tourist visa in the United States? This query is only concerned with the amount of money you have in your account, but it is a question of financial capacity, establishment of intention to come back home before the visa expires and successful creation of visa credibility.
In this comprehensive guide, we will find out the perfect financial necessity of a US B-2 tourist visa, what types of papers you need to submit to the consulate and how the consular officers actually evaluate your financial background. Read till the end to understand the complete procedure of securing a US tourist visa, with the main focus being on how much bank balance is required to do so.
What is the US Tourist Visa (B-2)?
First things first, we need to understand what a US tourist visa is, as there are many types of visas issued by the US Consulate. B-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to travel to the US for reasons such as leisure and tourism, visiting friends and family members, participating in cultural events, receiving minor medical treatment and so on.
A US B-2 visa is usually granted for up to 6 months, which can be extended in some cases. However, to obtain a US tourist visa, candidates need to convince the US Embassy that they intend to return to their home country after the visit, have no intention of staying in the US permanently and have the financial means to support their stay in the US.
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Is There a Fixed Bank Balance Requirement?
Now, let’s focus on the main topic of conversation at hand: Is there a fixed amount of money required to obtain a B2 tourist visa? Well, the simple answer is no. There is no such pre-determined minimum requirement. The US Embassy or USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) does not have any official statement on a required bank balance for a tourist visa. However, it does not imply that financials are not important. You must be able to prove that you are financially able to sustain your needs during the whole time you are in the United States.
The usual expenses that you need to show you can bear include the following;
- Airfare (round trip)
- Accommodation
- Food and transportation
- Sightseeing and shopping
- Health or travel insurance
A reasonable benchmark is to have at least 6000-10000 USD (or 5 to 9 lakhs INR) in your bank account if you intend to stay in the United States for 1 month. The more prolonged the stay, the higher the financial support you must have.
Factors That Influence the Required Balance
There are many factors at play that may influence the minimum amount of money you need to have in your bank account for successful visa application. Some of the important ones are as follows;
- Duration of Stay – The longer you intend to stay in the country the more amount of financial backing you are required to prove. A 15 days excursion will consume less than a 2 month tour. For example;
- For a 2-week trip – $3,000 to $5,000
- For a 1-month trip – $6,000 to $10,000
- For a 3-month trip – $12,000 or more
Note: These are estimated amounts subject to change.
- Travel Plans and Purpose – In case you intend to go to larger metro cities such as New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles, which are also tourist cities, your expenses will increase. In case you come to visit your relatives or friends and staying with them then it will result in a decrease in the cost of accommodation, lowering the amount of money needed.
- Number of Travellers – In case you apply as a family (e.g. husband, wives and children), the consulate will require you to present a joint bank balance, that wil cover all the travellers. One tip is to always provide personal bank statements in the case that you are applying on an individual basis and a joint account in case you are applying as a family/group.
- Accommodation Type – Staying for the entire duration in a hotel, Airbnb, or in the house of relatives considerably varies your average daily costs. A room at a hotel may be priced at 100-200 dollars a day while living with the relatives would save you a lot of money.
So, in essence, the minimum amount of money you need to show to secure a B2 US tourist visa depends on your itinerary and every detail of your trip affects the cost and monetary requirement you need to prove to the US Consular.
Documents Required to Prove Financial Stability
The consular officers do not necessarily need to see all the documents during the interview session to award the visa. Nevertheless, it is always good to draw a financial file composed of the following documents to be prepared if asked for documentation;
- Bank Statements (Last 6 Months) – Candidates need to demonstrate a steady average bank balance over a considerably long period of time (6 months minimum). A last minute deposit of a large amount just prior to the interview can look suspicious and work against you.
- Income Tax Returns – ITR of last 2-3 years allows candidates to prove a stable income and financial status. The self- employed applicants find this the most useful way of proving their financial stability.
- Pay Slips or Salary Certificate – In case of salaried employees this is used to prove a stable monthly income and returns prospects.
- Fixed Deposits, Mutual Funds, or Investments – Any form of long-term savings and investment adds to the financial credibility of the applicant increasing their chances of securing a US tourist visa.
- Property Ownership Proof (Optional) – In case you own real estate in India, it reflects well not only for your financial credibility but also shows that you are well connected to your home country and intend to come back.
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How Do Visa Officers Evaluate Financials?
The US consular officer would not be looking at just your bank balance, but they look at the whole picture of your case. They will verify whether the travels you have planned are logical depending on your earnings, whether your employment or fiscal position correspond to the duration of the trip you intend to take, and whether the bank deposits are regular or non-standard. They they also check whether you are financing your trip by yourself or you are dependant on a sponsor.
Sponsorship and Affidavit of Support (Form I-134)
In case that your travel is sponsored by a relative or a friend in the US, your sponsor can complete the Form I-134 which is referred to as Affidavit of Support. However, the sponsor should be able to demonstrate that;
- He or she is a US citizen or legal resident
- Has enough income (usually above the Federal Poverty Guidelines) and
- be able to meet your living and travel expenses when you stay there.
Although, even after a sponsorships form, the candidates are nevertheless required to provide financial documents on their part. A sponsorship alone does not guarantee the approval of the visa.
Can You Get a US Tourist Visa with a Low Bank Balance?
Sometimes even with low bank balacne, it is possible to obtain a tourist visa but this is a little difficult. Provided your income is modest, but you do not travel much (e.g. short stay, visiting relatives who will accommodate you), and yo have strong ties to your home country then your visa can be awarded. However, candidates with low bank balance need to meet certain requirements such as;
- Stable job and a strong employment letter
- Property ownerships or family commitments
- Spouse and children remaining in India
- Confirmed return ticket
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sudden Bank Deposits – Deposits of massive amounts made just before the deadline can appear concerning. Visa officers may get the suspicion that money may have been borrowed to boost your account temporarily.
- Inconsistent Income and Expenses – When you present an income of 30,000 Indian rupees and you intend to spend 5,000 dollars on a vacation; your profile might appear contradictory leading to complications in the visa process.
- Submitting Fake Documents – Any falsified or distorted data may result directly in a flat-out rejection and even an indefinite prohibition.
- Not Preparing for the Interview – One of the most common mistake is to not practice enough for the interview. You should be able to articulate your finances with a lot of confidence and rationality during the interview. Practice common questions such as:
- Who is funding your trip?
- Why do you want to visit the US?
- What do you do for a living?
- Do you plan to return?
Research the common questions asked, get your documents in order and prepare for the interview as much as you can to guarantee visa approval.
Expert Tips to Strengthen a US Tourist Application
- Show Ties to Home Country – Property, jobs, family, etc can be used to show that you have strong ties with your home country and will probably go home.
- Provide Clear Travel Itinerary – This will include your day-wise planning for the trip to the US with hotel bookings, flight plans and places to be visited. This shows planning and purpose.
- Avoid Overstating Finances – It is better to avoid presenting exaggerated finances and it is much better to show a reasonable, modest financial profile that matches with your lifestyle.
- Be Honest and Transparent – In case you are sponsored clearly state it. If you’re self-funding, back it with genuine documents.
Conclusion
Although the US tourist visa does not have fixed requirement on the amount of bank balance you need to have for a B2 tourist visa, financial sufficiency is one of the most important aspects of your application. As a benchmark, one should be able to show at least 5 to 8 lakhs per individual during a one-month trip.
The bank balance is not the only thing that is taken into consideration, authenticity, consistency and your desire to go back home are also examined. This becomes achievable by presenting original documents and ensuring that you are well prepared for your interview, which may guarantee success of visa approval- even if your financial standing might be weak.
Keep it in mind, it is not only your bank statement that counts, but rather your overall profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Form I-134 mandatory for sponsorship?
No, it is additionally optional but it is very helpful. The applicant still has a burden of proving a good intent to return.
- Can retired or unemployed individuals get a US tourist visa?
Yes, provided they can demonstrate enough savings and have reasonable reason to travel e.g. to see family or to go on tourism.
- Will the US Embassy verify my bank account?
They do not usually approach banks, but they closely inspect your bank statements in terms of consistency, use of patterns and latest deposits. Any suspicious activity may result in rejection.
- Can I show joint bank accounts for the US visa?
Yes. When the joint account is with a spouse, parent or sponsor and both names are listed in the statement clearly then it is okay. Ensure that you explain your relationship and why this account is being used during the interview.
- What if my bank balance fluctuates?
It is fine to have normal fluctuations. There might however be concern when there is an abrupt surge in balance prior to the interview. Visa officer would prefer to see a steady or a slowly increasing balance that would show your true financial standing.
- Should I include credit card limits in my financial documents?
You can give the availability of credit card limits as a fall back financial source but but they cannot be used in place liquid funds such as savings or deposits. Credit lines are indirect and they cannot be regarded as strong funds.