U.S. IMMIGRATION SYSTEM | NON-IMMIGRANT | B-1 aND B-2
B-1 Visitors for Business
A foreign national coming to the United States for business reasons who will not receive a salary or payment of any kind in this country may apply for a B-1 visa. This is not a work visa allowing you to earn U.S.-based income.
Typical examples of valid B-1 purposes include:
- Employees of a foreign employer (whose salaries are paid from abroad) who come to the U.S. To solicit sales, negotiate contracts, or take orders from established customers for work that will be performed outside the U.S.
- Employees of a foreign company or office of a U.S. company who come to the U.S. To engage in consultations with U.S. business associates.
- Foreign business people attending professional or business conferences or conventions, or executive seminars in the U.S.
- Foreign business employees or independent business people who come to the U.S. To undertake independent research, such as market or product research.
- Foreign investors coming to the U.S. to set up their investment.
- Foreign key employees who come to open or be employed in the U.S. office, subsidiary, or affiliate of the foreign employer, provided said key employees will qualify for L-1 status once suitable physical premises have been obtained for the office.
B-1 Visitors for Pleasure
A foreign national coming to the United States for pleasure may apply for a B-2 visa. This nonimmigrant status requires the foreign national to return to his or her home country after the trip. To qualify for this visa a foreign national must establish both the financial ability to support the entire visit and sufficient ties to the home country to confirm that the foreign national intents to return home after the trip.
Typical examples of valid B-2 purposes include:
- Travel to visit family or friends in the United States;
- Travel to visit a specific tourist destination in the United States;
- Travel to take part in conventions, conferences, or convocation of fraternal, social, or service organizations;
- Travel to undergo medical treatment.
If you are interested in more information on B status, please fill out our online consultation questionnaire. |
