What is Business Visa (B1 / B2) ? | B-1 Visa, Temporary Business Visitor
Overview: B-1 visa is is a non-immigrant visa which allows foreigners to participate in business activities of a commercial or professional nature in the United States
If the foreigner is in the United States in another valid non-immigrant status, he or she may be eligible to change to B-1 status with filing a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non immigrant Status.
Family: Spouse and children are not eligible to obtain a dependent visa. They must apply separately for a B-2 visa
Period of Stay: initial stay of one to six months, request extension of 6 months, generally maximum stay time is 1 year
Green Card intent: Dual intent is not permitted.
Visa Statistics:
In fiscal year 2010, USCIS received 59,868 applications for B-1 visa, approved 44,197, denied 15,671, waived or overcome 8,709. USCIS also received 4,441,364 applications for B1/B2 combined visa, approved 3,278,782, refused 1,162,582, waived or overcome 304,488.
Business Activities for B-1 Visa
1. Consulting with business associates
2. Traveling for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates
3. Settling an estate
4. Negotiating a contract
5. Participating in short-term training
6. Transiting through the United States: certain persons may transit the United States with a B-1 visa
7. Deadheading: certain air crewmen may enter the United States as deadhead crew with a B-1 visa
B-1 Visa Eligibility Criteria
1. The purpose of your trip is to enter the United States for business of a legitimate nature
2. Applicant plans to remain for a specific limited period of time
3. Applicant has the funds to cover the expenses of the trip and your stay in the United States
4. Applicant has a residence outside the United States in which you have no intention of abandoning, as well as other binding ties which will ensure your return abroad at the end of the visit
5. Applicant is otherwise admissible to the United States
Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
The following types of B-1 business visitors require employment authorization:
1. A personal or domestic servant who is accompanying or following to join an employer who seeks admission into, or is already in, the United States in a B, E, F, H, I, J, L, or TN non-immigrant classification.
2. A domestic servant of a U.S. citizen accompanying or following to join his or her U.S. citizen employer who has a permanent home or is stationed in a foreign country, and who is temporarily visiting the United States.
3. An employee of a foreign airline engaged in international transportation of passengers freight, whose position with the foreign airline would otherwise entitle the employee to treaty trader nonimmigrant classification (E-1) and who is precluded from such classification solely because the employee is not a national of the country of the airline's nationality or because there is no treaty of commerce and navigation in effect between the United States and the country of the airline's nationality.
Before you may commence employment in any of the above three activities, you will need to file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Qualification for Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
All applicants for a B-1 visa or admission as a B-1 business visitor as a personal or domestic servant described above must demonstrate the following:
1. Applicant has a residence abroad in which you have no intention of abandoning
2. Applicant hasat least 1 year of experience as a personal or domestic servant
3. Applicant has been employed abroad by your employer for at least 1 year prior to the employer’s admission into the United States or if you have been employed abroad by the employer for less than 1year, the employer must show that while abroad, he or she has regularly employed a domestic servant in the same capacity as that intended for your employment
B-2 Visa, visitor visa for pleasure, tourism or medical treatment
Overview: The B-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for pleasure or medical treatment. In practice, the B-1 Visa(business purpose) and B-2 Visa(pleasure) are usually combined together and issued as a "B1/B2 visa" valid for a temporary visit for either business or pleasure, or a combination of the two.
Family: Spouse and children are not eligible to obtain a dependent visa. They must apply separately for a B-2 visa.
Period of Stay: initial stay generally is 6 months. B-2 Visa holder who wish to stay beyond the date indicated on their Form I-94 are required to have approval by USCIS
Green Card intent: Not permitted. The foreign national must satisfy the consular officer that he will return abroad upon the completion of his temporary visit for pleasure and will not engage in unauthorized employment in the United States.
Statistics:
In fiscal year 2010, USCIS received 441,152 applications for B-2 visa, approved 358,087, denied 83,065, waived or overcome 41,075. USCIS also received 4,441,364 applications for B1/B2 combined visa, approved 3,278,782, refused 1,162,582, waived or overcome 304,488.
Use of B-2 Visa:
- Travel within the US
- Visit family or friends
- Participate in activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature
- Obtain medical treatment
- Cohabiting (unmarried) partners of non-immigrant visa holders.
Advantages of B-2 Visa
1. No Sponsor from United States Required
2. Easy application and quick decision at consulate.
3. possible to seek a change of status
Requirement of B-2 Visa
1. Valid Passport
2. Non-Immigrant Intent: Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad
3. Financial Capability: Evidence of funds to cover expenses
Required Documentation and Fee for B-2 Visa
1. Online Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160.
2. A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.
3. One (1) 2x2 photograph.
4. Non-immigrant visa application processing fee
5. Visa issuance fee
