The B Visa (Business Visitors & Tourist Visas)

The B nonimmigrant visa category covers foreign national visitors for business (B-1) and pleasure (B-2).

This visa allows for a variety of business and economic activities in the U.S. The B-1 Visa holder cannot engage in productive employment in the U.S. (with a few exceptions). Productive employment would constitute salaried work or and fee for services basis.

This category includes tourists, persons on shopping trips, persons visiting friends or relatives, persons seeking medical treatment and persons coming to conferences or conventions not related to business. This category can also be used for household members of nonimmigrant's in other categories who do not themselves qualify for derivative status in that category (domestic partner, elderly parent, same sex partner).

Every person applying for the B-1/B-2 Visa, must establish before a U.S. Consular officer his/her nonimmigrant intent (intent to enter for a temporary period of time). The following list provides basic evidence of nonimmigrant intent:

• Support Letter by company stating the reason for the business trip or a Invitation Letter from a U.S. host (friends or relatives)
• Strong Reasons for return to home country (steady employment, substantial business or property investment, family ties etc.)
• Return ticket (round-trip) and accommodations (hotel, rental car, stay with relatives etc.)
• Any supporting evidence to back up the reason for the trip (proof of legitimate business activity or tourist activity)
• Proof of sufficient funds for period of intented stay (how will you pay and who is going to pay for this, employer, you, or U.S. host?)

The maximum period of validity for a nonimmigrant visa is ten years. However, the initial period of admission is generally 6 months, may be less for Business Visitors. Once admitted, B-1/B-2 visitors can apply for extensions of stay. The application for extension of stay must be mailed directly to the USCIS Service Center. Extensions are granted in 6 months intervals.

Before the foreign visitor enters the U.S. they must obtain a visa from a U.S. Consulate overseas. This rule applies to all foreign nationals except Canadians and a few other countries part of the Visa Waiver Program.

All persons who obtain a B-1 or B-2 visa must ask for permission to enter the U.S. at the port of entry before a U.S. Customs & Immigration Enforcement Officer. A visa issued by the Consulate allows you to travel to the U.S. but the Customs officer decided in what status to admit you and how long you can stay for any particular visit. The officer has the authority to deny admission to a foreign national even though a visa has been issued. Once the immigration and customs officer admits you, you will receive an I-94 Arrival and Departure Record. This card controls how long you are allowed to remain in the United States, regardless of what your visa states (the visa in your passport that was issued by the consular officer).