Business / Visitor Visas
Overview
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The visa allows a foreign citizen, to travel to the United States port-of entry and request permission of the U.S. immigration inspector to enter the U.S. The "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) and for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2).
As examples, if the purpose of your planned travel is recreational in nature, including tourism, amusement, visits with friends or relatives, rest, medical treatment, and activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature, then a vistor visa (B-2) would be the appropriate type of visa for your travel. As additional examples, if the purpose for your planned travel is to consult with business associates, travel for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or conference on specific dates, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract, then a business (B-1) visitor visa would be the appropriate type of visa for your travel.
Before considering your eligibility for a B-1/B-2 Visa, please note the following:
- • Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 involve extensive and ongoing
review of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national security. Visa applications are
now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. So it is important to apply for
your visa well in advance of your travel departure date. For additional details on visa processing
times, please view
The U.S. Department of State Visa Wait Times.
- • Foreign travelers who are citizens from certain eligible countries, may also be able
to visit the U.S. without a visa on the
Visa Waiver Program.
- • Persons planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose such as students,
temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc., must apply for a different visa in the
appropriate category.
Eligibility
Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as visitors under U.S. law.
The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating all of the following:
- • The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical
treatment;
- • They plan to remain for a specific, limited period of time;
- • They possess funds to cover expenses in the United States;
- • They maintain compelling social and economic ties abroad; and
- • They have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.
For additional information regarding business related (B-1) visitor visas, please visit the U.S. Department of State Business Visa Center.
*Visa content courtesy of U.S. Department of State.