B2 Visa: How much money in the bank? Does non-family sponsor help?

[Nile 0]

Hi,

 

I'm seeking information on behalf of an Indonesian friend who wants to get a B2 visa to visit the US as a tourist, and I have a couple questions:

1. How much money does the consulate want to see in the applicant's bank account?
2. Does it help the applicant if they have an invitation letter and sponsor/guarantor (who can help them financially in case of emergency) in the US, if that sponsor is not a family member? Or is it better if they just apply as a tourist without a sponsor?

 

Thank you for your guidance

[Boiler 43,436]

1. No requirement to have any in a bank account.

 

2. No such thing as a sponsor for a tourist visa, they certainly need to be prepared to show they can afford a holiday in the US.

 

Anybody looking to fly halfway around the world to vacation in the US is unlikely to be short of funds.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,319]

9 minutes ago, Nifteye said:

Hi,

 

I'm seeking information on behalf of an Indonesian friend who wants to get a B2 visa to visit the US as a tourist, and I have a couple questions:

1. How much money does the consulate want to see in the applicant's bank account?
2. Does it help the applicant if they have an invitation letter and sponsor/guarantor (who can help them financially in case of emergency) in the US, if that sponsor is not a family member? Or is it better if they just apply as a tourist without a sponsor?

 

Thank you for your guidance

 

1.  Enough funds to support themselves on the vacation.  In some countries/cultures, people do not trust the banking system and have money saved elsewhere.  It all depends.

 

2.  This is asked many times, perhaps because in other countries, Russia specifically, people are required to have an invitation in order to get a tourist visa.  This is not a requirement in the US.  It may actually be a detriment because having someone in the US willing to pay for you is less of a reason for the person to return to their home country.

 

[Nile 0]

Thank you both. So, based on what you have said, it's not necessary to have funds in a bank account, but one must demonstrate they have enough money for the trip. Does this mean there isn't a specific amount that is the minimum needed? I had heard that in Indonesia it's 50 million IDR, which is around $3500 US. Sounds like maybe this isn't true, and it just needs to be a reasonable amount to cover food, transport, accommodation and other expenses for the amount of time the tourist is planning the trip. Is that right?

 

Thanks again!

[Boiler 43,436]

Perhaps that is the amount someone needs to show to enter Indonesia?

 

B2 can be up to 6 months so depends, coming for a week would be a lot less than months.

[SalishSea 16,771]

On 6/15/2021 at 12:35 PM, Nifteye said:

Thank you both. So, based on what you have said, it's not necessary to have funds in a bank account, but one must demonstrate they have enough money for the trip. Does this mean there isn't a specific amount that is the minimum needed? I had heard that in Indonesia it's 50 million IDR, which is around $3500 US. Sounds like maybe this isn't true, and it just needs to be a reasonable amount to cover food, transport, accommodation and other expenses for the amount of time the tourist is planning the trip. Is that right?

 

Thanks again!

There is no set amount.  It is entirely discretionary of the CO/CBP as to whether the intending visitor has adequate financial resources for the type and length of visit they wish to do.

 

And you cannot sponsor or do anything to impact someone's ability to get a B visa.  That is based entirely on their own merits.