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The B (visitor) visa category is available to those who wish to visit
the U.S. temporarily for either business or pleasure. Business
visitors are issued B-1 visas, and visitors for pleasure are issued B-2
visas. The form for this (and many other) non-immigrant visa
applications is the DS-160,
which must be completed online.
Those who wish to enter for different purposes (such as to study or to
work) must apply for a different visa.
Acceptable B-1 business visitor activities include:
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engaging in commercial transactions which do not
involve gainful employment in the United States (such as a merchant
who takes orders for goods manufactured abroad);
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negotiating contracts;
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consulting with business associates;
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engaging in litigation;
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participating in scientific, educational, professional
or business conventions, conferences, or seminars; or
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undertaking independent research.
Acceptable B-2 pleasure visitor activities include:
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tourism or social visits to relatives or friends;
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health promotion or medical treatment;
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participation in conventions, conferences, or
convocations of fraternal, social or service organizations;
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accompanying, as a family dependent, the alien member
of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces temporarily assigned for duty
in the U.S.;
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accompanying, as a family dependent, a crewman in D
visa status;
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engaging in a short course of study, provided that the
study is incidental to the visit; and
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performing or competing as an unpaid, amateur
entertainer or athlete in a social and/or charitable context or as a
competitor in a talent show, contest or athletic event.
Qualifying for a Visa
Applicants for visitor visas must be able to show that they qualify for
the visa when they apply at a U.S. consulate. They must show that:
- the purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for
business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
- they plan to remain for a specific, limited period;
and
- they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as
other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of
the visit.
If satisfied with the applicant's eligibility, the consulate may issue
the visa the same day, or instruct the applicant to return at some later
date.
Visa Waiver Program
Travelers from certain eligible
countries may also be able to visit the U.S. without a visa, through the
Visa Waiver Program. Read more about how to participate in the Visa
Waiver Program
Passing through a U.S. Port of Entry
It is important to remember that a visa does not guarantee entry into the
U.S. Immigration inspectors at the port of entry can, and frequently do, deny
admission.
Likewise, the validity dates on a visa do not have any effect on how
long the visitor is allowed to remain in the U.S. Immigration
inspectors determine the period for which the bearer of a visitor visa
is authorized to remain in the U.S. The standard period granted is 6
months. However, in recent years, the government has gotten much
stricter in limiting the period to 3 months or less if the purposes for
the visit to not appear to require the full 6 months.
At the port of entry, the immigration inspector must authorize the
visitor's admission to the U.S. At that time the Form I-94, Record of
Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay permitted, is stamped.
Extending the Period of Authorized Stay
Frequently, visitors will want to extend their stay in the U.S. past
the date stamped on their I-94.
The visitor may try to do this using USCIS Form I-539
("Application to Extend or Change Status"). This
Application should be supported by documentation that establishes
that:
- the purpose of the trip continues to be for
business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
- the visitor plans to remain for a specific, limited period;
- the visitor has a residence outside the U.S. as well as
other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of
the visit; and
- the visitor has sufficient funds to support himself/herself, and to
finance travel out of the U.S.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact John Byrley at
tel: 410-719-1501.
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