B-1 And B-2 Visas

• Consulting with business associates

• Attending a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference

• Settling an estate

• Negotiating a contract

• Tourism

• Vacation

• Visiting friends or relatives

• Seeking medical treatment

• Participating in social events

• Participation in amateur events such as musicals, sports, contests, etc., as long as the participant is not being paid to participate.

• Participating in a short recreational course of study that will not be used for credit toward a degree (for example, taking a cooking class while on vacation)

There are, however, some restrictions on the B1/B2 visa. It should not be used for the following:

• Study

• Employment

• Paid performances or professional performances before a paid audience

• Arrival as a crew member on a ship or aircraft

• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media

• Permanent residence in the U.S.

The United States does not require nonimmigrant visas from all countries. Some are part of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens and nationals from certain countries to travel temporarily to the U.S. without a visa. Also, citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require visas to enter the United States for temporary travel purposes.

To be eligible to apply for a B1/B2 visa, it must be determined that the purpose of the trip is solely for business or tourism purposes and that the stay will be temporary. It should not be used as a means to obtain permanent residence status in the United States. To apply for a B1/B2 visa, the applicant should complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. The application should be submitted online, and the confirmation page should be printed and brought to the visa interview.

Interview appointments should be scheduled with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country the applicant is residing in. Once the appointment is made, the applicant must pay the application fee before the interview. There may also be a visa issuance fee upon approval of the visa. To prepare for the interview, it is important to gather all documentation required for the interview. This includes a valid passport, the Form DS-160 confirmation page, the application fee payment receipt, and a recent digital photograph. It may also be necessary to provide additional documentation about the purpose of the trip, the applicant’s intention to depart the United States after their trip, and proof of the ability to fund the trip’s costs. Usually, providing evidence of employment and family ties will be sufficient to show proof of the applicant’s intention to return to their home country after their trip.

The consular officer will determine whether the applicant meets all the requirements necessary to obtain a visitor visa during the interview. Fingerprints are also usually taken during this time. After the interview, the visa may be approved, or it may be determined that the application requires more administrative processing. The consular officer will inform the applicant if this is the case.

Once the visa is approved and issued, the visa holder can now travel to a U.S. port-of-entry. Obtaining a visa does not guarantee admission into the United States, however. The final step is for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to inspect the visa holder and permit entry into the United States.