Business Specialty Visa Plan Business B1 visa

Business B-1 visa

Why do people go to the United States? The commonest two answers are tourism or doing business. These two reasons so overwhelmingly outweigh all others that they are usually combined into a single B1/B2 visa that allows you to enter the US for either tourism or business for short periods of time. In 2019, the last pre-COVID year for which data is available, of the 8,742,068 visas issued, 5,297,439 were B1/B2 visas.

However, if your purpose is clearly and only business, then you could apply for and receive just the B-1 visa, also known as the Business Visa. It is available specifically to business travelers, namely people who are negotiating contracts, making investments, consulting business associates or attending conferences and business events within the US.

An interesting quirk of the US immigration law is that you are allowed to do B-2 visa (tourism) activities even if you’re traveling on just a B-1 visa. However, if you entered as a tourist on a B-2 visa, you may not get involved in any B-1 type professional or commercial activities.

With a B-1 visa, you may enter the US as many times as you want within the validity period of the visa as long as your work stays within the allowable list of professional and commercial activities. These include consulting with business associates; attending a scientific, educational, professional or business convention or conference on specific dates; settling an estate; negotiating a contract; and participating in short-term training, among others.

Prohibited activities

There is a long list of what you may not do on a Business visa, including the following —

• Start or manage a business in the USA or help someone in a family business
• Get a job in the US while on a business visa. If an opportunity presents itself, consider applying for a change of visa status to a temporary work visa such as an H-1 or L-1 visa
• Work under an American employer
• Accept paid or unpaid employment
• Participate as a professional in entertainment or sporting events
• Receive education that credits to a degree
• Arrive in the US as a part of a crew of a ship or an aircraft
• Work as a journalist or other information media
• Perform before a paying audience
• Live permanently or long-term in the US
• Enter the US to perform emergency response services

Enter the US primarily to get US citizenship for a child by giving birth in the US

Who is eligible for a B-1 visa?

You must demonstrate the following in order to be eligible for a B-1 visa:

• The purpose of your trip should be to enter the United States for conducting legitimate business.
• You should plan to remain for a specific and limited period of time.
• You must have enough money to cover the expenses of your trip and stay in the US.
• You must present evidence of a residence outside the US that you will return to, as well as proof of other binding ties that will ensure your return home at the end of your business visit.

There should be no other reason that makes you ineligible.

How long can you stay in the US on a B-1 visa?

Covid-19 related: Under rules current as of March 11, 2021, travel to the United States under a Visitor visa B2 is prohibited. A B-1 visa’s validity can range from a month to 10 years, during which you may enter the US as many times as you wish, though for no longer than six months. This can be extended just once by another six months by applying for an extension, for a maximum of one year per visit.

How do you apply for a B-1 visa?

The process of applying for a B-1 visa is as effortless and straightforward as applying for a B-2 Tourist visa.

1. Apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa online through form DS-160: If you live outside the US, you can continue the process through Consular Processing. First, you must apply online for a nonimmigrant visa, by submitting Form DS-160. To do this efficiently and successfully, keep the following at hand before going online —

• Your passport, with at least 6 months validity.
• A visa photograph (to upload). The photo should conform to US Immigration photo specifications.
• Travel itinerary.
• Dates of every international trip you have made in your last five years, including to the US.
• Information on your current and previous education and work history.

More information about filling out the DS-160 form is available online. Remember to print out the DS-160 application confirmation page containing the CEAC barcode after completing the form. You will need it at the interview.

2. Pay the visa application fee: This is $160 for the DS-160 application for a B-1 visa and can be paid online. In some countries, this fee may be payable at the time of your interview.

Be sure to print out a receipt. You will need it at the visa interview later.

3. Find your nearest US Embassy or Consulate. You can find the address online or by checking the global list of US Embassies and Consulates. Make a note of the address. You will need it in the next step.
4. Schedule your visa interview. Contact the US Embassy or Consulate nearest to you, preferably the one you named on the DS-160 form, and schedule your interview. Since different embassies have different waiting periods, check the embassy’s website to find out how long you’ll have to wait.
5. Gather the necessary documents. You will need the following —

• Your passport, with at least 6 months validity
• Old passports
• One photograph, conforming to US photo specifications
• Form DS-160 online submission confirmation with CEAC barcode
• Receipt for visa fees paid. In most cases, you will need to pay the fees in advance before taking an appointment.
• Original interview appointment letter and one copy
• Documents detailing ties to your native country (properties, job contracts, lease, bonds)
• Records of criminal or background checks

Other supporting documents you should carry

Not all the documents listed below may be necessary. Some are relevant if you are an independent businessman, others if you are an employee, and yet others if you are an employer or business owner.

• Documents confirming hotel reservations and appointments already made in the US in preparation for your trip
• Tax statements for the previous 3 years
• Bank statements for the previous three years to establish your source of funds
• Details of your travels outside your home country in the past
• Details of your past US visa application, if any
• Itinerary of your trip, with dates, names, and addresses
• A letter from your employer indicating the purpose and length of the trip, as well as their intent to pay for the costs of the trip. This letter should also indicate the length of your employment with the company, a brief description of your work, your annual salary and why you are the person who needs to go to the US.
• Correspondence with US purchasers, suppliers, or contacts
• Recent contracts, bills of lading, or other documentary evidence of recent imports and exports of purchases
• Incorporation documents and business licenses. Your chances of being issued a visa are lower if you started your business less than a year ago
• Documents describing the business with a brief history, financial statements, number of employees, and proof (including photographs) of the office, shop, warehouse, and so on
• Group photo of your employees
• Any copies of recent advertising brochures, annual reports, other publications, or any media coverage. If available, provide the company’s market and financial position with financial records, source of funds, and income tax papers.
• Any existing US clients, with their names and addresses.

7. Go for the visa interview. The visa officer may request additional documents at his or her discretion. These requirements may vary from country to country.

How much does a B-1 visa cost?

$160 The only cost you will pay is $160 for the Form DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa application.

Issuance fee: Some countries may seek an additional Issuance fee at the time of issuing your visa if your visa application is approved. This amount may vary from country to country and is best to ascertain at your local US Embassy or Consular Office.

Need more help?

You may feel that you would like to have professional help in making your application or would perhaps like to consult a specialized immigration lawyer who specializes in immigration and visa matters. In this case, you can explore some of your options, including how to access our exclusive list of professional immigration lawyers.

If you have questions or would like clarifications, please send us an email. We’ll do our best to get back to you within 24 hours with an answer.

Under rules current as of March 11, 2021, travel to the United States under a Visitor visa B1 or B2 is prohibited.

As of  January 26, 2021, the  US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  requires all air passengers aged two years or more who wish to enter the United States to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure, or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. The carrier airline is required to confirm the negative test result or proof of recent recovery for all passengers prior to boarding. ​Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery.