The short answer
You don't need a flight booking for a B1/B2 visa. The DS-160 asks for your intended arrival date and length of stay, and the interview focuses on the purpose of your trip and your ties to home. Official guidance warns against making final travel plans or buying tickets until your visa is issued.
When an itinerary helps
Some applicants like to bring a simple itinerary - planned dates, places, and a reservation showing a return - to answer questions confidently. It's optional. If you bring one, make sure it matches the dates on your DS-160.
What matters more
- A clear, consistent purpose for the trip.
- Evidence of ties to your home country (work, study, family).
- Funds to cover the trip.
After approval
Buy the ticket you want. Your reservation simply expires.
How the process works
You complete the DS-160 online, pay the fee, and book an interview at the US embassy or consulate. Wait times for interviews vary widely by country - from days to many months - which is exactly why buying a ticket early is risky. Check current wait times on the State Department site before you plan dates.
At the interview
Consular officers make quick decisions based on your answers and your circumstances. Answer clearly and consistently with your DS-160: where you're going, for how long, who is paying and when you're coming back. If you bring an itinerary, keep it to one page and only offer it if it's relevant to a question.
If your plans change
The visa doesn't lock you to the dates you wrote down. Once issued, you can usually travel within its validity - the officer at the port of entry decides how long you may stay on each visit, recorded in your I-94.
Common mistakes
- Buying flights before the interview, then facing a long administrative processing delay.
- Bringing a thick folder of documents and reading from it - officers prefer direct answers.
- Dates on an itinerary that don't match the DS-160.
Common itineraries for this visa
Choose a route, then add your date and passenger names.
Frequently asked questions
Does the consulate check flight reservations?
Flights are not a required document for B1/B2. Bring an itinerary only as optional support, matching your DS-160 dates.
Do I need to travel on the dates I put on my DS-160?
No. They are your intended dates. Once the visa is issued you can usually travel within its validity, and the officer on arrival sets how long you can stay.
What if I travel visa-free with ESTA instead?
ESTA travelers do not apply for a visa, but airlines and US officers may ask about onward or return travel. Under the Visa Waiver Program you are expected to hold a return or onward ticket.
Official sources
Entry requirements can change. The airline and immigration officers make the final decision. Please check official sources before you travel.