US B1/B2 Tourist Visa: From DS-160 to the Interview

The B1/B2 visitor visa is what Saudi citizens, and most residents of Saudi Arabia, need for tourism, visiting family or short business trips to the United States. The process is straightforward, but small mistakes in the form or the booking can cost you time and fees.

This guide lays out the steps from the DS-160 form to the interview, and explains the fees, interview waivers, visa validity and the Visa Waiver Program as currently published on official sites.

Steps From DS-160 to the Interview

Details vary slightly between embassies, but the general outline is the same. This is the practical order we follow:

1. Prepare a valid passport and a digital photo that meets the visa photo requirements.
2. Complete the DS-160 online and print the confirmation page with the barcode.
3. Create your account on the appointment system and pay the application fee.
4. Book your interview and make sure the DS-160 number matches the booking.
5. Attend the interview with your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, fee receipt and supporting documents.

Published Fees

The State Department lists the visitor visa application fee at $185. In the reciprocity schedule for Saudi Arabia, there is no additional issuance fee for a B1/B2 visa.

As for the much-discussed Visa Integrity Fee, we did not find it listed on the official fees page when we checked in October 2026. If a new fee is announced, it will appear on that page, so check it before you pay.

The application fee is non-refundable and is valid for 365 days from the date of payment for scheduling an interview.

Booking an Appointment as a Saudi Citizen or Resident

In a notice last updated on 15 July 2026, the Department says applicants should schedule in their country of nationality or residence. Applicants who rely on residency are expected to show that they live there.

Your DS-160 number must match the booking. It can be updated once, at least three business days before the interview, so review the form before you book.

Can You Skip the Interview?

The interview is the default. Under the interview waiver update effective 1 October 2025, all applicants need an in-person interview, including those under 14 and over 79, except for specific categories.

One of those categories is renewing a B1/B2 visa within 12 months of its expiry, under conditions that include applying in your country of nationality or residence and having no prior refusal. Consular officers may still require an interview in any case. A first-time application needs an interview.

How Long the Visa Is Valid

The published reciprocity schedule for Saudi Arabia lists B1/B2 as multiple entry with 120 months validity. That is the maximum, and the consular officer decides what is actually issued.

A visa does not guarantee entry. Customs and Border Protection decides admission and length of stay on arrival, as the visitor visa page explains.

Are Saudis Visa Waiver Eligible?

No. The Visa Waiver Program list currently has 39 countries and Saudi Arabia is not among them, though Qatar is. Saudi citizens therefore need a B1/B2 visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the visa process take?

Appointment waits vary by location and season, and the Department publishes them only as estimates on its wait times page. Apply well before your travel date.

Do I need an invitation letter?

No. The Department says a letter of invitation is not required, and that approval depends on your ties to your home country, not on assurances from relatives in the U.S.

Should I apply in another country because appointments are sooner?

The latest notice recommends applying in your country of nationality or residence. It warns that fees paid for other locations are non-refundable and non-transferable, and that waits there are often longer.

Is the fee refunded if I am refused?

No. It is a non-refundable processing fee, as the visa denials page states. See also What to Do After a Visa Refusal.

What mistakes delay an application?

Most are in the form. Read Common DS-160 Mistakes, and prepare for the interview with Common US Visa Interview Questions.

Prepare Your File With Almorad

We review your file, prepare your application and book your appointment. The interview and the decision belong to the consulate alone, and we never promise approval. If you are looking for a visa office in Riyadh, see our US visa service or visa services, or message us on WhatsApp. To compare visa types, read Difference Between Visa Types.