Many times, getting the B-1/B-2 Tourist Visa from a US consulate can be an intimidating process. You pay the fee, fill out the forms, and go to the consulate, and wait, and after all your work, the consular officer decides in a few minutes or less whether or not to grant the visa.

A few things that help:

• Show your ties to your home country. This can include owning property, having a job, and having close family members that will be staying behind during your visit.
• Show your ability to support yourself while in the United States. Evidence of savings, bank accounts, and employment are helpful here.
• If you will be staying with a friend or relative in the United States, they can help as well, by writing a letter of invitation and filling out an affidavit of support (Form I-134) to show that you won’t need to work while in the US.

Remember, the main concerns that the consulate and USCIS have is that the visitor will overstay a visa, and/or work without authorization while here. If you can meet the requirements above, this will help the consulate to come to a favorable decision in your case.

In some cases, it’s extremely difficult to get a visitor visa. I work with the Brazilian community in Boston, and have heard that it is extremely difficult for many Brazilians to get visas, especially those from Minas Gerais, whence come many of the undocumented in Massachusetts.