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If you wish to visit the United States you first have to apply for a tourist visa. The process can seem complicated full of many steps and additional requirements that must be met. Follow these tips on understanding the tourist visa process and be on your way to correctly applying for your own USA tourist visa. 
Know if you need an USA tourist visa. Some foreigners qualify to travel to and throughout the US without a visa for up to 90 days through the Visa Exchange Program. The list of countries that are a part of the Visa Exchange Program can be found on the US State Department's website. Make sure you are not on the list before you start the tourist visa application process.
Find out which visa to apply for. There are many different types of USA tourist visas designed for different visit purposes. For example there are specific visas for people visiting friends and family, on business trips, on a sports team going to the USA to compete and more. It is essential that you apply for the correct visa that applies to your visit. Log on to the US State Department's website to check for specific tourist visa descriptions.
Complete an online USA tourist visa application. You can find the correct application on the US State Department's Visa website. Make sure to answer every question truthfully. Fill in every blank. If a question is not applicable to you write "N/A" which means that you are not applicable.
Gather additional documentation to present at the time of your consulate interview.
- Receive a medical examination. The US requires that foreigners receive a medical examination along with certain vaccinations before being allowed to enter the US. Your specific US embassy or consulate website can give you more information on which doctors are approved to receive a medical examination from. Make sure to do this well enough in advance for you to receive your a letter from the doctor who examined you stating that you meet the travel requirements set by the US State Department. You must include this letter in the application package.
- Police certificates. You must obtain a police certificate from every place you have lived since the age of 16 stating that you have not been involved in any criminal activity. You must include these certificates along with your visa application.
- Financial ability. You will need to provide a detailed trip itinerary and provide proof that you can pay for your time within US borders and return trip home. It is best not to buy any tickets until after your USA tourist visa has been granted. It works best to make hotel and hostel reservations in advance which provide proof of your trip's itinerary and if your visa is denied, you can cancel your reservations with no cost.
- Proof of nonimmigrant intensions. You also must provide evidence that you have reasons to return to your home country, such as a house title, student responsibilities and family obligations. At the time of the interview the consulate should have no reason to suspect that you may remain in the US as an immigrant.
- Individual identification. Bring a valid passport that will not expire for at least 6 months after you plan to leave the USA. You should also bring your birth certificate and identification card from your country.
Translate all official documents that are not already in English. The translation must be professional. Include the originals with the translated copies attached in the application package.
Schedule an Interview with the nearest US consulate or embassy. It is best to schedule an interview as soon as you know you will be applying for an USA tourist visa since waiting times can often be fairly lengthy.
Pay for the visa application. There is a visa application fee expected at the time of interview. Most consulates require that you pay for the fee at a local bank, deposit the funds directly in their account, and bring along a payment receipt from the bank to the interview. The US consulate will have more details for you on specific requirements for your country of origin.
Attend an interview. Make sure to show up on time. Dress professionally. Bring all documents along with copies so that you can keep your originals after the interview.
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