US Embassy outlines B-2 visa rules for medical treatment

The US Embassy in Dhaka has said applicants for B-2 visas seeking medical treatment in the United States must demonstrate that they can cover the cost of their treatment, related expenses, and travel to and from the country.

On Saturday, in a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the embassy said consular officers review each application individually to ensure that an applicant's intended activities in the United States will not place a financial burden on American taxpayers.

"A B-2 visa applicant must provide proof of his or her ability to pay for medical treatment, all related expenses, and travel to and from the United States for those treatments," the embassy said. "Consular officers review every case to determine that intended activities in the United States will not burden the American taxpayer."

Along with the statement, the embassy shared a graphic outlining the documents applicants may need to provide when applying for a B-2 visa for medical treatment.

According to the embassy, these include a medical diagnosis from a physician explaining why treatment is needed in the United States, a letter from a US physician agreeing to treat the applicant's specific condition, including the expected duration and cost of treatment, and proof that the applicant can afford transportation, medical, and living expenses while in the United States.

The B-2 visa is a non-immigrant category that covers a range of recreational and personal purposes, including tourism, visits to friends or relatives, and medical treatment. It is often issued jointly with the B-1 business visa as a combined B-1/B-2 visa.