The B-1 business visitor visa is available to visitors seeking short-term entry into the U.S. for business purposes such as official visits, attend meetings and training programs, close business deals etc.
Who is eligible
Employees of a foreign company coming to the U.S. to:
- Solicit sales, negotiate contracts, or take orders from established customers.
- Engage in consultations with U.S. business associates .
Foreign business persons coming to the U.S. to:
- Attend professional conferences or conventions or executive seminars
- Undertake independent research, such as product or market research
- Make investments
Foreign physicians coming to the U.S. to:
- Observe new procedures and
- Offer consulting services without performing any patient care .
Personal/domestic servants accompanying:
- Returning U.S. citizens who are temporarily assigned to the U.S. and who permanently reside in a foreign country .
- B,F,H,J or L visa holders.
Professional entertainers coming to the U.S. to:
- Participate in a cultural program sponsored by their home country to perform before a nonpaying audience .
- Participate in a competition for which there is no remuneration, other than a prize (monetary or otherwise) and expenses .
Professional athletes coming to the U.S. to:
- Participate in a tournament or sporting event, and receive no salary or payment other than prize money .
Foreign missionary workers coming to the U.S. to:
- Perform missionary work on behalf of a religious denomination, provided that they will not receive any remuneration from the U.S. other than an allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to their stay .
- Engage in an evangelical tour provided they do not receive remuneration from a U.S. source, other than offerings contributed at each evangelical meeting .
- Preach or exchange pulpits with their U.S. counterparts, provided the church in their native countries reimburses them .
- Participate in voluntary service program which benefits a U.S. local community provided they do not receive any salary or remuneration other than an allowance or reimbursement for expenses incidental to their stay from the U.S. sponsor.
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How to Apply
- You may apply for the B1 business visa at an American consulate nearest to your residence. Your B1 visa application includes:
- DOS Form DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application .
- DOS Form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, for all male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 .
- A copy of your passport which is valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the U.S. and with at least one blank page .
- Two identical color photographs showing full face without head covering against a light background. You may wear a headdress if required by a religious order of which you are a member .
- Information describing the company such as brochures, catalogs, annual reports .
- A copy of your tour itinerary .
- Documentation demonstrating your ability and intention, or that of your employer, to support your travel and other expenses while in the U.S.
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Documents Required for B1 Visa
The documents to be furnished for USA business visa are:
Proof of residence:
A copy of the lease agreement bearing the applicants name .
- A valid document that furnishes evidence of permanent residence in the home country .
- Evidence of foreign bank account .
- Attested copy of the passport (all pages) .
Proof of relationship with the family:
- Marriage certificate (if married) .
- Birth certificate of any children staying abroad .
- List of family members currently residing in home country .
- List of family members currently residing in the U.S.
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Duration of B1 Visa
You may stay in the U.S. on B-1 visa between six months to one year depending on the purpose of your trip.
Note: Once you enter the U.S. and approach the USCIS office with your requisition, the authorities will look into the nature of the business you wish to conduct and accordingly issue the grant for your stay.
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Limitations
The U.S. immigration law strictly restricts B-1 visa holders to seek employment or to work in the U.S. and the visitor is not allowed to start any program of study .
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