Dubai and Abu Dhabi are open for US visitor and student visas: B1, B2, F1 and F2.
Both US missions in the UAE are open and releasing non-immigrant interview appointments. The mission security alert of 1 August 2026 confirms that limited non-immigrant appointments are available, while all immigrant visa services remain suspended. The queue figure is the next available B1/B2 interview date published by the US Department of State for Dubai, last updated 17 August 2026. Abu Dhabi stands at six months. Both posts release these appointments every Friday morning between 7:30 and 11:30, and occasionally outside that window. We are watching when it opens, we book the earliest confirmed date we can reach, and we prepare the DS-160 and the supporting file so the slot is not wasted. We also handle ESTA travel authorisation, which is not a visa. We do not handle work, immigrant or transit categories.
One of the most common questions we hear from UAE residents is: “How much bank balance do I need for a US visa?” The honest answer for 2026: there is no official minimum. The US B1/B2 visitor visa is not decided by a number in your account, it’s decided at the interview under Section 214(b), where every applicant is presumed to intend to immigrate until they prove strong ties and a genuine, funded trip.
What the consular officer is really assessing
1. Can you afford the trip?
Your funds should credibly cover flights, accommodation, and daily costs for your planned stay. As a rough planning guide, budget around US$150, $250 per day, but there is no fixed threshold, proportion to your itinerary is what counts.
2. Are the funds genuinely yours?
A stable balance built over months is far more convincing than a lump sum deposited just before the interview. Officers are trained to spot “window-dressing.”
3. Do you have strong ties to the UAE?
This is the heart of 214(b). Employment, residence status, family, property and financial commitments in the UAE all signal you will return.
Documents to have ready
- Bank statements (3 to 6 months) showing a stable balance
- Salary certificate / employment letter with approved leave
- Emirates ID and residence visa
- Evidence of ties: tenancy, property, family, business
- Travel plan and, if sponsored, sponsor’s funds + relationship proof
The 2026 fee
The US B1/B2 (MRV) fee is US$185, non-refundable, paid before booking your interview at the US Mission in the UAE. Appointment availability, not money, is often the biggest planning constraint, so start early.
Call Visa Doctor: +971 58 509 5268, we help UAE residents get their documentation and finances interview-ready.
Related
Estimate your all-in cost with the UAE Visa Cost Calculator, read how to avoid a Schengen refusal, and see 2026 fees in the 2026 UAE Outbound Visa Report.
FAQ
Is there a minimum bank balance for a US visa from Dubai?
No. There is no official minimum. You must show funds that credibly cover your trip and a stable financial history, alongside strong ties to the UAE.
Will a big deposit help my US visa chances?
Not on its own, a sudden large deposit can hurt, because officers may see it as window-dressing. A steady balance over several months is far more persuasive.
What is the US visitor visa fee in 2026?
The B1/B2 MRV fee is US$185, non-refundable, paid before scheduling the interview at the US Mission in the UAE.