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What is a B-1 or B-2 Visa?
Foreign nationals who wish to visit the United
States must first obtain a nonimmigrant temporary visa from the
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The most common are:
Temporary visa for business purposes (B-1) or Temporary visa for
pleasure or medical treatment (B-2).
Upon arriving in the U.S. an INS Form I-94,
Record of Arrival-Departure is stamped with the permitted length
of stay. If your visit requires you stay beyond the date indicated
on the Form I-94, you must contact the INS and request Form I-539,
Application to Extend Status.
Please note that the visa waiver program exempts visitors from certain
countries from the requirement to obtain a visitors visa.
Who Qualifies For a B-1 or B-2 VISA?
Generally, all applicants for a business or
pleasure (tourist) visa must show:
- The purpose of their trip is to enter
the U.S. for business, pleasure or to seek medical treatment.
- The stay is for a limited period
of time.
- The applicant has a permanent residence
outside the U.S. which he or she has no intention of abandoning
as well as other binding ties which will insure their return
abroad at the end of the visit such as family or work ties.
Specific information for business applicants:
B-1 Visa applicants must show a permissible
business activity which gives him or her reason for requesting
entry to the United States – consultation, seminars, conferences,
market research etc. Applicant must show that the need to
travel to the United States is of temporary nature and the
necessity of returning to the home country. Note: receiving
salary or payment of any kind in the United States is prohibited.
Therefore, the applicant must show sufficient financial
resources to provide for return travel and general living
expenses while in the U.S. You may apply for a B-1 visa
at the American Embassy, Consulate or authorized travel
agencies in your region or nation. If you wish to have your
spouse, children or parents join you on your trip they should
apply for a B-2 visa.
Principal Requirements for the B-1:
- A filled-in visa application Form OF-156.
Separate applications for each person are required.
- A passport, valid for travel to the United
States for at least six months longer than your intended visit.
- Two recent photographs 1 & 1/2 inches
square (37mm x 37mm) of each applicant, with the entire face
visible. The picture should be taken before a light background
and without head covering.
You may also be asked to provide the following documents:
- Evidence backing up the purpose of
your trip. You may show a letter sent by the company explaining
the purpose and length of the trip.
- Specific and realistic plans describing
why you wish to visit the U.S. A copy of a travel itinerary
is generally acceptable.
- Information about the company, like
a company brochure or catalog.
- Proof of your intention to leave
the U.S. after a temporary visit such as Round-trip air
tickets.
- A letter which states that either
the firm intends to pay for all cost, or that you have other
funds for this trip.
Specific Information for “Pleasure” ( tourist ) applicants:
You may apply for a B-2 visa at the American
Embassy, Consulate or authorized travel agencies in your region
or nation. The U.S. State Department defines the term “pleasure”
as activities of a recreational character, including tourism, amusement,
visiting friends or relatives, rest, medical treatment and activities
of a social or service nature.
Principal Requirements for the B-2 Visa:
- A filled-in visa application Form OF-156.
- Two recent photographs 1 & 1/2 inches
square (37mm x 37mm) of each applicant, with the entire face
visible. The picture should be taken before a light background
and without head covering.
- A passport, valid for travel to the United
States for at least six months longer than your intended visit.
You may also be asked to provide the following documents:
- Evidence showing the purpose of your
trip. You may show a letter sent by the company explaining
the purpose and length of the trip. You may also show letters
from relatives or friends that you intend to visit.
- If you are traveling to the U.S.
for medical purposes, you should have a statement from a
doctor or medical institution about your treatment.
- A copy of a travel itinerary.
- Proof of your intention to leave
the U.S. after a temporary visit such as Round-trip air
tickets.
- Proof that arrangement has been made
to cover the cost of your trip. An affidavit of support
may be required for children who are traveling.
- If you do not have enough funds to
support yourself while in the U.S., you must provide evidence
that an interested person will provide support.
- You may also provide evidence that
establishes your ties with the sponsor.
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