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B Visa Overview

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The B visa category applies to citizens of foreign countries who wish to visit the United States for a temporary period.  There are two types of B visas: B-1 (for business) and B-2 (for pleasure or medical treatment).  A B-1 visa would be issued for an individual desiring to enter the U.S. to consult with business associates; attend a scientific, educational, professional or business convention or conference; settle an estate; or negotiate a contract.  A B-2 visa would be issued for an individual wishing to enter the U.S. for touring, amusement, visits with friends or relatives, rest, medical treatment, and activities of a social or service nature.

Foreign travelers who are citizens from certain eligible countries may also be able to visit the U.S. without a visa for tourism or business for 90 days or less on the Visa Waiver Program.  (See Visa Waiver Program below.)

A. Duration of Stay

A business visitor (B-1) will be granted a period of entry sufficient to conduct his or her business.  Generally, these visits are approved for less than three months.  

A non-business visitor (B-2) will automatically be granted a six-month period of entry.  Only in unusual circumstances will a B-2 visa holder be granted a period of entry that is shorter or longer than six months.  

It should be noted that it is possible to obtain a period of admission of one year on initial entry to the U.S.  Additionally, extensions of up to six months may be granted.

B.    Application Process

In order to obtain a B visa, you need only apply with the U.S. consulate; an application to the Immigration Service is not required.

C.  Items for Travel

It is useful, in order to assure entry at the border, for the B-1 visa holder to carry a letter from his or her company, similar to the letter supporting the visa application that affirms:

 • The purpose of the trip.

• The limited duration of the trip.

• The visa holder's steady employment with the company and strong ties with his or her home country.

 The individual applying for the tourist visa should carry a letter of invitation, together with such other pieces of documentation as hotel reservations or evidence of other travel arrangements.

 The B-1 and B-2 visa holder should also bring with him or her:

• Copies of the documentation that accompanied the visa application.

•The return portion of his or her round-trip ticket and evidence of prepaid accommodations or confirmed hotel reservations.

• Sufficient funds to cover the period of stay requested by him or her.

D.    Special Conditions

It should be noted that an alien entering the U.S. with a B visa must not engage in gainful employment (labor for hire) in the U.S.  Additionally, the undertaking of an academic study program is not permitted (with a few limited exceptions).

E.   Basic Requirements for Obtaining B-1/B-2 Status

There are five basic requirements for issuance of a B visa, as specified by The State Department:

1.    The alien is entering the U.S. for a limited duration.

2.    The alien intends to depart the U.S. at the expiration of his or her stay.

3.    While in the U.S., the alien maintains a foreign residence which he or she has no intention of abandoning.

4.    The alien has adequate financial arrangements to travel to, sojourn in, and depart from the U.S.

5.    The alien will engage solely in legitimate activities relating to business or pleasure.

F.   Additional Information

No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.

Unless previously canceled, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, if the traveler has a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport, do not remove the visa page from the expired passport. You may use it along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.

Visitors are not permitted to accept employment during their stay in the U.S.

G.  Family Members

There is no derivative status for B visas, which is why family members must qualify independently for a B visa.

H.  The Visa Waiver Program

Nationals of several countries do not need to obtain B visas for business or tourist visits to the United States for a period of up to 90 days, as long as certain conditions are met. Here is the list of countries whose nationals are eligible for the Visa Waiver program, according to the Department of State website:

 Currently, 36 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:

Andorra

Hungary

New Zealand

Australia

Iceland

Norway

Austria

Ireland

Portugal

Belgium

Italy

San Marino

Brunei

Japan

Singapore

Czech Republic

Latvia

Slovakia

Denmark

Liechtenstein

Slovenia

Estonia

Lithuania

South Korea

Finland

Luxembourg

Spain

France

Malta

Sweden

Germany

Monaco

Switzerland

Greece

the Netherlands

United Kingdom

For more information, click here.

B Visa Marriage

My Canadian born boyfriend is currently in the US doing his last year of medical rotations with a B Visa. I am a US citizen and we would like to know what the process is for residency (for him) when we get married. Any help?

B Visa Marriage

Read the instructions on Forms I-130 and I-485. Then call in to our free community conference call on Thursday. You MUST understand the risk with applying from B visa to green card.

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J-1 or F-1

I will be visiting a professor at a university in the usa for 6 months to a year to learn the latest in an advanced field. I am a phd student in australia and will be paid from Australia while over there. Is this the visa for me? I heard the J1 requires me to be paid by the us university and an f1 requires I be enrolled (I have an f1 since I did my masters in the usa but am not enrolled any more)

J-1 or F-1

Apply for B-1 visa.

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Visa Category B1/B2

I and my wife is in US on B1/B2 Visa. My wife is Pregnant and will be delivering baby in August 2013. We intend to stay in US permanently as our baby will be US Citizen. Please advise if it is possible for both of us to apply for a Green Card.

Best regards

MAK

Visa Category B1/B2

The baby born in the USA will be a US Citizen, but that gives you no right to stay in the USA. The child, when he or she turns 21 can apply for your green card, but there is no other advantage.

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Visit to Canada on US visitor visa

My parents on Indian passport are visiting US for a month on B2 visitor visa. They plan to visit Canada for a week. Do they need to apply for Canadian tourist visa? I know that for Mexico they don't need visitor visa if the stay is less than 30 days. Is that true for Canada as well?

Visit to Canada on US visitor visa

We practice U.S. laws only. Sorry.

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B1

Good evening,

i'm a seller of an Italian company, currently planning some visits to potential dealers in the U.S.. I'm considering to get a B1 Visa, but i can't see advantages over the VWP! I need to stay around 5 or 6 months, but i can no hardly divide the long trip (180) into two shorter trips (90+90 days).

Pro B1: I can stay up to 6 months
Con B1: It is more expensive, it needs a long and uncertain procedure (the consul might grant you not the longest duration of stay)

Is it correct?

Is there any problem to enter the U.S., with the VWP, two times separated by a short break period?

Tks!

B1

There are potential problems both ways. I think B-1 MAY be the better option.

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B2 visa extension financial support letter

Hi, my friend is currently in the USA with a B2 visa, she is applying for an extension since her I 94 expires in August. I will help her with a place to stay and food during her staying. Can I sponsor her with a simple letter or Do I have to file an I-134 affidavit of support. I'm trying to avoid submmiting bank statement since I don't have much money in the bank but she has enough money to support herself for another 6 months if she stays with me. She's actually my girlfriend and we met a about a month ago. Thanks for your help and time.

B2 visa extension financial support letter

Try with a letter. If USCIS does not like it, they will ask for I-134. But read the instructions on the form I-539 to make sure all the essential material is included with the extension request, Jon.

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Applying for a Visit Viva

Hi

PLEASE HELP ME?

I went to the US in 1990 when I was 6 years old on a B1/B2 visa with my family. In 2000 my parents had applied for an asylum case which in 2005 got denied. In 2006 once I completed my University degree I voluntarily departed the US without informing the immigration authorities I was 23 years old then. It’s been over 7 years now and I really want to visit back. I now reside in Dubai and my work will require me to travel to the US and I don’t want to get denied for the visa.

Please help/guide me as to what should I do?

Applying for a Visit Visa

It looks like you may be subject to the 10-year bar. You can look into 212(d)(3) waiver for a visit.

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Visitor Visa - Lost Extension Approval Letter - Need help

Good morning Mr. Khanna. My mother has 10 year multiple entry visitor visa and we got her stay extended during her last visit in 2004 and she stayed for 11 months in U.S. But, we lost the extension approval letter.She couldn't board the flight on 5/14 as the officials told her that they need to see extension approval letter. I called INS to get a copy of extension approval letter and they asked me to fill out I-824. But, I don't have any details of the original or receipt that they are asking in I-824. What can I do? Also, I-824 processing time is minimum of 3 months.Is there a faster process?

Visitor Visa - Lost Extension Approval Letter - Need help

Call me in the Arlington office. I will be there till 10 AM. 703 908 4800. Extension 110. If I dont pick up the the phone, dial 0 and have me paged.

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Trying to go back on a B2

I'm 23 years old and I lived in the USA for 12 years but I was on a undocumented status, So last year I decided to come to mexico and go to college. Now I'm currently in college but I want to go back VISIT friends and family in the us, I have a brother and a sister and they are both us residents but I'm not sure if I would qualified for a B2 visas due to the fact that I've been to the USA illegally. I mean I did entered when I was 12 but in not sure.

So can someone please give me some inside on if I should apply or not.

Trying to go back on a B2

You can apply, but in your situation it will be difficult to get a B-2 visa.

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MY B1/B@ visa cancelled and no reason given

Hi, I got my B1/B2 visa in June 2011 and travelled on that visa 4 times already with stay not over 2 weeks each time. Recently I was called by US embassy and informed as my US visa is revoked and must present to embassy and get it cancelled. While I tried ot understand the reason but remained unknown and been asked to reapply. I have been traveling to US from last 13 years and never been denied any visa. Last year I partnered US citizen to open my company branch in USA. Does that make any difference to the cancellation? Please guide me with some feedback.

MY B1/B@ visa cancelled and no reason given

It is difficult for me to make a guess. It is possible the consulate received information that you were using your B visa to do business in the USA. You should write an email asking for the reasons and a chance to explain the reasons. They must give you some explanation.

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Regarding B2 visa to usa

hello my name is raani,i have done my masters in usa and stayed their for 4years and came back to india ,and my visa got over on jan 2013,and i planned to persue my MBA in usa and went for the visa interview twice it got rejected,and now my friends and family are suggesting me to apply for b2 visa so i just need your suggestions what should i do now.please help me thankyou.looking forward

Regarding B2 visa to usa

The grounds for rejection for B and F visa are usually the "immigrant intent." If indeed that is the reason for your visa rejection, I do not see any difference between B and F applications.

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Driving License

Hello,

I have a B1/B2 visa I am plan to visit US for a business trip in MA so I just want to know if is possible to get a driving license with these type of visa,Thank's a lot!

Driving License

Jason, licenses are a matter of State law in the USA. You will need to check in MA. Also check if they recognize an international drivers licence.

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B2 visa denied due to past extension

My parents aged 74 and 69 have travelled to the US where my sister lives, 7 times. They had both applied for extension of stay on their previous visits. Both their multiple entry visas expired and they re-applied in Mumbai. This time their visas were rejected saying that there is no guarantee that they will not extend again. Does this mean that they can never apply for a visa again? (considering the extensions will remain). Also can they apply from the Chennai consulate the next time. We live in Bangalore so Chennai is more convenient. They had been to Mumbai for a wedding & so applied there.

B2 visa denied due to past extension

I normally do not recommend fighting a B visa denial, but here you have grounds for a review. Get yourself a lawyer and let them correspond with the consulate. Let us see if the consulate changes its decision.

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Visa Loss

I lost my passport last month in United States I want to re-do my passport, I want to get my visa back what I suppose to do to get that easier for me

Visa Loss

Sophia, I believe the only way to get a visa on a new passport is to apply for the visa all over again.

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visa

My boyfriend is retired and visiting me from Italy. He came on the visa waiver program, thinking he could apply for an extension after the 3 months (that is what his travel agt said). Is there any way for him to apply for a B2 visa without traveling all the way back to Italy? When we get married what kind of paperwork does he apply for to stay here with me?
Thanks

visa

Jodie, you definitely need a consultation. USCIS has been quite strict in recent years about alleging fraud where someone enters on a tourist type visa and then tries to convert to a longer term visa such as a green card.

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Query about my B1 visa

I obtained a 10 year B1 visa for a business trip. I wish to revisit the USA purely for vacation, do I have to reapply for a B1/B2 visa? Or can I enter the US as tourist on a B1 visa?

Query about my B1 visa

The old practice: yes you can. In the new world: please send the consulate an email to confirm.

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Query about my B1 Visa

I have a B1 visa with a validity of 10 years but it was given i.e. the fees was paid by my previous employer. Now I am thinking of changing my job. I have two jobs in hand.... (1) in which the new employer belongs to the same industry i.e. IT as my previous one and (2) in which the employer is a bank i.e. finance industry.
I just wanted to know that if I join employer no.(1), it being an IT company, can the new employer send me to USA on my same old existing B1 Visa ?
and say I join employer no.(2), can this bank also send me to USA on the same B1 visa or I have to go on tourist Visa ?

Query about my B1 Visa

There is no easy answer to this situation. I suggest you send an email to the consulate. It is highly likely they will advise you to use the same visa.

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B2 Visa for spouse rejected twice

Hi,
I am holding Indian passport and currently in US on B1/B2 Visa (sponsored by my company) for only 3 months of stay. Also, my company agreed to sponsor my spouse as well for B2 visa.
So, I have filed the B2 Visa for my spouse, but it is rejected under Section 214(b). I have again reapply within a month, but again it is rejected under Section 214(b). Shall I contact US Consulate Chennai asking the reason under which they have rejected my Spouse Visa? Shall I re-apply again?

Note: My wife is a Home-Maker. She is not working anywhere.

Thanks in Advance. Please suggest me what to do.

B2 Visa for spouse rejected twice

Log in to the free community conference call today. There is not much you can do, but I will explain.

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Traveling on B Visa

Hello. This is Anil,am a B1\B2 VISA holder which was sponsered by my previous employer in 2008 and Now I want to travel to US as a tourist to visit my FRIEND. Is that Valid B1\B2 VISA to travel and If yes.. What all documents I should Carry? Please provide some help.

Traveling on B Visa

I do not see why you cannot use the same visa. But you can email the consulate.

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I have got my B1 Visa

I have got my B1 Visa approved recently as I had to attend a business meeting in NY by end of March. There was a small change of plan at my client's end and now the meeting has been pushed to 2nd week of April. My client also has an office in Ontario and have requested me to make a visit there for 2 days, as per CBP, I understand a person entering US with B1/B2 visa can travel to Canada/Mexico for upto 30 days as long as the duration is I-94 is within the limit. Can you please double confirm this? Thanks

I have got my B1 Visa

Kishy, the 30-day rule is referred to as AVR (Automatic Visa Revalidation). B-1 entry can be denied if the CBP offices so deems fit.

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B2 visa

Hi I'm an Australian thinking of visiting the States for 6 months, so I was looking at applying for a B2 visa. However at the same time I was thinking of flying to NZ and Argentina during the 6 months. Am I able to enter and exit on the same visa? Or will I need to get multiple visa for each entry? Thanks

B2 visa

If you have a multiple entry (as opposed to a single entry) visa, you can reenter on the same visa, as long as CBP believes you are not misusing the visa to stay too long in USA or engaging in prohibited activities like being employed in the U.S.A.

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B1 Visa Denied

Hi, I was denied B1 visa. I had to attend 8 week training program and counselor asked me is the training for 8 weeks - (Yes, as I require training for 2 new products and would work on them once back in home country) Whats your role in the company ? Who all are going with you (I was going alone), How long have you been working with this company - (About to complete 1 year).. I was given 214(b) denial letter. Counselor didn't check a single document, so can I re-apply ? What are the chances of acceptance and is this B1 rejection gonna effect future B1/L1/H1 (say about few months later)

B1 Visa Denied

I see no harm in trying again. Chances are impossible to predict. A 214(b) denial should have no impact on H or L.

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Query regarding B1/B2

HI,
I'm traveling to US (SFO) on H1 through my company. My husband has a B1/B2 visa valid for 10 yrs. If he has to visit USA at the same time as mine, will an invite letter from his relative residing in USA ( Seattle) be sufficient?
What are the other necessary documents required for his travel.
Should we go to the immigration officer together or individually?

Query regarding B1/B2

Please join me in the next free community conference call. I need more information.

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H-4 and planning to apply for visitor visa for my parents

Hi,

I need some expert advice on below topic.

I am currently in us on H4 and planning to apply for visitor visa for my parents. I have my aunt in US, Who has applied for her Green Card in US couple of months ago and waiting to get the green card. She wants to go to India next month and planning to apply for advance parole (I-131) in emergency. As my father is the only blood relative she has in India she wants my father to provide medical emergency documents to her so she can expedite the advance payroll based on his medical condition.

If my father shows medical emergency to help out her

H-4 and planning to apply for visitor visa for my parents

Your message did not get through completely. It is cut off. Send me the details through: http://www.immigration.com/contact

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