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If you plan to travel to the United States for tourism, to visit family, receive medical care, or conduct temporary business activities, you will need to process a B1/B2 visitor visa. Although the process may seem complicated for first-time applicants, the reality is that it boils down to a series of steps established by the United States Department of State.
We explain how much the American visa costs, what requirements you must meet, and what the updated steps are to obtain it for the first time in 2026.
What visa do I need to travel to the United States?
The visa most requested by Mexicans is the B1/B2, a non-immigrant category that allows for temporary entry into the United States for tourism, family visits, medical treatment, or short-term business. This visa does not authorize working or residing permanently in the country.
Requirements to process the American visa for the first time
According to the Department of State and the United States Embassy in Mexico, applicants must meet the following basic requirements:
- Contar con pasaporte mexicano vigente.
- Completar el formulario electrónico DS-160.
- Pagar la tarifa de solicitud de visa.
- Crear una cuenta en el sistema oficial de citas.
- Acudir a la toma de datos biométricos en el Centro de Atención al Solicitante (CAS).
- Presentarse a una entrevista consular.
- Demostrar que el viaje será temporal y que existen lazos suficientes con México para regresar al finalizar la visita.
Although there is no mandatory list of financial documents for all cases, consular officers may request additional information to evaluate the personal, work, and economic circumstances of each applicant.
How much does the American visa cost in 2026?
The application fee for the B1/B2 visitor visa is 185 US dollars, a payment known as the MRV fee. This amount must be paid before scheduling appointments and is non-refundable and non-transferable, even if the visa is denied.
The payment is valid for 365 days to be used for a visa application.
Step-by-step guide to getting the American visa for the first time
1. Fill out the DS-160 form
The first step consists of completing the DS-160 form online through the official Department of State website. In this document, you must provide personal, employment, and family information, travel history, and details about the purpose of your visit to the United States.
Upon completion, you will receive a confirmation page with a barcode that will be necessary to continue with the process.
2. Create an account in the appointment system
After submitting the DS-160, you must open an account in the official U.S. visa system for Mexico. There, you will register your details and link your form confirmation.
3. Pay the MRV fee
The next step is to make the payment corresponding to the visitor visa. Once the system registers the payment, you will be able to proceed to the appointment scheduling process.
4. Schedule the appointments
Applicants processing their visa for the first time generally must attend two appointments:
One at the Applicant Service Center (CAS), where a photograph and fingerprints are taken.
Another at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the interview with a consular officer.
Available dates depend on the existing demand at each consular location.
5. Attend the CAS appointment
On the assigned day, you must present your valid passport and the DS-160 form confirmation. During this visit, your biometric data will be collected for the process.
6. Attend the consular interview
The interview is one of the most important moments of the process. The consular officer will ask questions related to your trip, employment, family situation, income, and reasons for returning to Mexico.
U.S. authorities point out that each application is evaluated individually based on current immigration law.
What happens after the interview?
If the visa is approved, the consular officer will give you the steps to collect it.
In case of denial, the consular officer will explain the section of the law under which the application was rejected. The fee paid is not refunded.
It is fundamental to answer honestly, provide data consistent with those registered in the DS-160 form, and avoid submitting false documents or incorrect information. Any inconsistency can affect the final decision regarding the visa.
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