Visitor Visas
B-1 Visa
B-1 visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa for business professionals who seek to engage in temporary business activities in the U.S associated with their foreign employments.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must conduct legitimate business upon entering the U.S.
- The applicant’s stay must be temporary.
- The applicant must be able to afford his/her trip and stay in the U.S.
- The applicant must have a residence outside of the U.S. that s/he will return to.
Family Members:
Family of the applicant cannot seek entry as dependents using B-1 Visa. They are required to apply separately for B-2, Temporary Visitor Visa.
FAQ:
What kind of businesses I am allowed to conduct in the U.S.?
There are many various business activities you are allowed to conduct given they are legitimate in nature. They include as such:
- Business associate consultation
- Estate settling
- Contract negotiation
- Trip for scientific, educational, professional, business convention, or a conference
- Short-term training participation
What is my duration of stay?
Your initial stay ranges from 1 to 6 months.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes! However, this is a short, temporary visa. Therefore, you can be granted a maximum of 6 months extension. Your stay on B-1 cannot exceed a total of 1 year.
Can I work in the U.S. on a B-1 Visa?
As B-1 is a visitor visa, you may not seek employment in the U.S. You need to apply for work visas that the U.S. issues. Please see Working in the U.S. to learn more about the issue here.
Am I eligible for Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
To be eligible for a Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must be a citizen or national of a participating country. To reach the current participating country, you can use this link.
If and how can I renew my visa if I already applied?
You can renew your visa. For this, you should follow the same steps you followed while applying for the first time.
Can I reapply if I am denied a visa?
Yes. There is no restriction on visa reapplication. To learn more about visa denials, please visit Visa Denials page.
What is B-2 Visa?
B-2 visa is a type of nonimmigrants visa for people who want to travel to the U.S. for tourism purposes.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must plan to stay temporarily.
- The applicant must have a residence outside of the U.S. that s/he will return to.
- The applicant must be able to afford your trip and stay in the U.S.
Family Members:
Your family cannot accompany you as dependents. They each must apply for a B-2 visa separately.
FAQ
What kind of activities I can participate in as a visitor in the U.S.?
- Tourism
- Vacation
- Visiting friends and family
- Participating in social events by fraternal, social, or service organizations
- Participating in musical, sports, or similar events or competitions only if participating subjects will not be paid
- Participating in a short, non-credit vocational course of study
What is my duration of stay?
Your initial stay ranges from 1 to 6 months.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes! However, this is a short, temporary visa. Therefore, you can be granted a maximum of 6 months extension. Your stay on B-2 cannot exceed a total of 1 year.
Can I work in the U.S. on a B-2 Visa?
As B-2 is a visitor visa, you may not seek employment in the U.S. You need to apply for work visas that the U.S. issues. Please see Working in the U.S. to learn more about the issue.
Am I eligible for Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
To be eligible for a Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must be a citizen or national of a participating country. To reach the current participating country list, you can use this link.
Can and how I renew my visa if I already applied?
You can renew your visa. For this, you should follow the same steps you followed while applying for the first time.
Can I reapply if I am denied a visa?
Yes. There is no restriction on visa reapplication. To learn more about visa denials, please visit Visa Denials.