B1/B2 Visitor Visa 2026 · Last updated: June 2026 · Reviewed by the Gulliver Travels visa team
Expert DS-160 completion, document preparation and interview coaching for the US Embassy Abu Dhabi and US Consulate General Dubai — for UAE residents of any nationality. We can't issue your visa, but we'll help you present the strongest possible case.
Yes. The UAE isn't in the US Visa Waiver Program, so you can't use ESTA — you need a B1/B2 visitor visa arranged in advance. UAE residents of any nationality can apply from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The process: complete the DS-160 form, pay the $185 MRV fee (non-refundable), book and attend an in-person interview at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or US Consulate Dubai. If approved, the visa is often valid up to 10 years; your stay length is set by CBP on arrival. Gulliver Travels prepares your file and coaches your interview — approval rests with the consular officer.
Want help getting interview-ready? WhatsApp Gulliver Travels on +971 56 386 3092 →
The United States remains a top destination from the UAE — from New York and Orlando to Los Angeles and the FIFA World Cup. Because the US requires an in-person interview and careful documentation, strong preparation is what separates approvals from 214(b) refusals. Here's how to apply from Dubai in 2026.
A US visitor visa lets you enter the United States temporarily for tourism, business or family visits. The B-2 covers tourism and personal travel; the B-1 covers business meetings and conferences; most travellers receive a combined B-1/B-2. It does not permit working in the US.
Unlike many destinations, there's no agency-issued US visa and no visa-on-arrival. Every applicant completes the online DS-160 form, pays the MRV fee and attends an interview where a consular officer decides the outcome. The good news for expats: UAE residents of any nationality can apply here in the Emirates, so you don't need to fly home to apply.
Gulliver Travels gives you a real advantage on the parts you can control — an accurate DS-160, a complete and consistent document file, the right appointment, and focused interview coaching so you walk in confident. See all our visa services →
Most UAE residents apply for the combined B-1/B-2 visa, which covers both tourism and business in one visa. Here's how they differ.
Tourism, family & medical
Tourism & business in one
Meetings, conferences & expos
UAE residents need a B1/B2 visa — ESTA is only for Visa Waiver Program countries, and the UAE is not one of them. Here's how it works.
Whatever your passport — Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Arab, European, African and more — UAE residents must obtain a B1/B2 visa in advance through the DS-160 and interview process. You can apply from Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
As a legal UAE resident you can apply here as a third-country national, no need to return home. The $185 fee and process are the same for all nationalities; some passports pay an extra reciprocity issuance fee after approval.
Recent US proclamations fully or partly restrict visa issuance for nationals of certain countries, and some nationalities face additional requirements. We confirm your specific eligibility before you pay any fee.
US visa fees are set by the US government, not the agency. Here's exactly what you pay — and an important 2026 update on the new integrity fee.
The core visa application fee for B1/B2, paid before your interview. Non-refundable regardless of outcome; the receipt is valid for 12 months.
An extra fee charged to some nationalities after approval, based on what their country charges US citizens. Many pay $0; others pay more.
Signed into law in 2025 and charged at issuance — but as of mid-2026 it is not yet being collected. We confirm what applies before you pay.
Beyond the core application items, the documents that prove your purpose, finances and ties to the UAE are what win approvals. We help you build a strong, consistent file.
Five clear steps from form to passport return. We guide every stage; you attend the interview in person.
We fill your online DS-160 accurately and prepare a compliant 2x2 photo.
Pay the $185 application fee; the receipt stays valid for 12 months.
We schedule your biometrics & interview at the US Embassy AD or Consulate Dubai.
You give fingerprints and meet the consular officer — fully coached and prepared by us.
If approved, your passport is returned with the visa, usually within days to a few weeks.
Renewing an existing US visa can sometimes skip the interview — but the rules tightened sharply in late 2025. Here's where things stand in 2026.
Interview waivers were significantly restricted from late 2025. Some B-visa renewals may still qualify at certain posts if your previous visa:
First-time applicants and most renewals now require an in-person interview at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or US Consulate Dubai. Apply early — appointment wait times vary by season and post.
UAE residents attend either US diplomatic post for biometrics and the interview. We help you choose and book the right one.
Serves Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Complete the DS-160 and pay the MRV fee first, then book your biometrics and interview slot here.
Dubai & Northern EmiratesServes Abu Dhabi and the wider capital region. Same DS-160 and MRV process; appointment availability can differ between the two posts.
Abu DhabiLegal UAE residents of any nationality can apply from here. Ask us which post is faster for you →
Sharjah · Ajman · RAK · moreThe interview is short but decisive. Officers assess whether you'll return after a temporary visit. These habits make the difference.
Show clear reasons to return — stable job, family, property or business in the UAE or your home country.
Answer honestly and briefly. Know your trip purpose, dates and who's funding it without hesitation.
Your DS-160, documents and answers must all align. Contradictions raise doubts instantly.
Demonstrate you can comfortably afford the trip with steady, well-documented finances.
A 214(b) refusal comes from doubt about return intent — keep your purpose clearly temporary.
Our mock interviews with real questions from Gulliver Travels build the confidence officers look for.
Most refusals fall under section 214(b) — failure to prove non-immigrant intent. Knowing the pitfalls is half the battle.
No convincing reason to return — unstable job, no family, property or financial roots — is the leading cause of 214(b) refusals.
Inaccurate or inconsistent form details that don't match your passport or answers trigger doubt and delays.
Finances that don't credibly cover the trip, or sudden unexplained deposits, weaken your case.
A vague itinerary or hesitant answers about why and how long you're travelling raise red flags.
Previous overstays, visa issues or immigration concerns anywhere can heavily affect the decision.
Reapplying after a 214(b) refusal with nothing new rarely succeeds. Strengthen your case first.
A trusted UAE travel agency in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, helping residents of every nationality apply for US visas, flights and holidays.
Accurate, error-free form completion that matches your passport and story.
A complete, consistent set proving purpose, funds and ties.
We secure your biometrics and interview slot at the best-available post.
Mock interviews and real questions so you walk in confident.
Interview-waiver eligibility checks and full renewal handling.
Support for UAE residents on any passport with valid residency.
One agency for your visa prep, flights and US holiday package.
Local offices serving applicants across all seven emirates.
Everything UAE residents ask about applying for a US B1/B2 visa in 2026 — eligibility, fees, interview and renewals.
Send us your passport copy, nationality and travel plans. We'll prepare your DS-160, build your document file and coach you for the interview — so you walk in fully ready.
Gulliver Travels provides US visa application assistance, document preparation and interview coaching for UAE residents. We are an independent travel agency and are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the US government or any embassy or consulate. US visa approval is determined solely at the discretion of the US consular officer; we cannot guarantee the issuance of any visa. Government fees and rules are subject to change — please confirm current requirements before applying.