Visiting a US Citizen Spouse in the US from Indonesia: B-2 Visa Process

If you are married to a US citizen and live in Indonesia, to visit (not immigrate) you need a B-2 Tourist Visa.

Eligibility: Genuine temporary visit (tourism, family, medical); strong ties to Indonesia (job, property, family) ensuring return; sufficient funds.
DS-160: Complete online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Print confirmation (barcode).
Pay Fee: $185 (MRV fee) — pay at designated bank (CIMB Niaga, Permata) or online.
Schedule Interview: US Visa Info for Indonesia → Select US Embassy Jakarta or Consulate General Surabaya.
Documents for Interview:
- Passport (valid 6+ months beyond stay).
- DS-160 confirmation.
- Appointment letter.
- Photo (US visa spec).
- Marriage Certificate (Indonesian + certified English translation).
- Spouse's US Proof: Passport copy, naturalization cert, or birth cert.
- Ties to Indonesia: Employment letter, business license, property deeds, family cards (KK), bank statements.
- Financial Support: Your bank statements OR spouse's Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support) + their tax returns/pay stubs.
- Travel itinerary (tentative).
Attend Interview: Answer honestly. Consular officer assesses immigrant intent (Section 214b). Marriage to USC = scrutiny.
Decision: Approved → passport with visa returned in ~5–10 business days. Denied → written reason (214b most common).

B-2 = Temporary visit only. Cannot work, study long-term, or adjust status easily (preconceived intent issues).
To LIVE in US: Spouse files I-130 → CR-1/IR-1 Immigrant Visa (12–18 months). You enter as Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card).
K-3 Visa (rare now): For spouses awaiting I-130 — largely obsolete.

Do not misrepresent intent. If you plan to stay, do the immigrant visa. Consult an immigration lawyer.

Visas