B1 B2 Visa

Are you Planning to Visit the US?

We love to help our Nigerian clients by offering expert advice and visa application management. Our team of seasoned lawyers is well-equipped to support you through the entire application process and address all the questions you might have about B1 and B2 Visas.

Nigerian Emigration

For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +2342013306361 or +44 (0) 3316300929

Other Immigration and Emigration Matters

For immigration/emigration to/from other countries, please call:

US –  +1 844 290 6312

Ireland –  (+353) 061 518 025

UK –  (+44) 333 4149244

B1/B2 Visa Overview

The B1 and B2 US Visas allow non-US citizens, including Nigerian citizens, to stay in the United States temporarily for tourism or business. The B1 Visa is for people who are travelling for businesses purposes, whereas the B2 Visa is for tourist purposes. It is possible to combine the two and obtain what is known as a B1 B2 Visa.

Both of these visas are non-immigrant visas. This means they do not grant permanent residence in the US. B1 and B2 Visa holders cannot work, study or vote in the United States. They must stick to the activities that are permitted on their chosen visa.

For B1 holders, this means: professional examination and licensing, business consultations, settling an estate, attending seminars or conferences and contract negotiations.

B2 Visa holders may: study short courses, attend social events, get medical treatment, visit loved ones and participate in contests or events.

Overall, Visitor Visas are great for people from Nigeria who would love to stay in the US temporarily, but do not want to (or do not meet the criteria to) settle there. With these Visitor Visas, it is possible to stay in the US for up to 60 months if you are from Nigeria

Differences Between the B Visas

The B Visas are often grouped together as they share the common purpose of allowing non-US nationals to stay in the country for a fixed period of time. However, there are distinctions between these two visas.

The B1 Visa is appropriate for people who want to stay in the US purely for business purposes. The B2 Visa is for individuals who want to travel to the US for tourism. It is essential that applicants choose the visa that aligns with their intentions for travel, as there is a risk of being deported from the US for not adhering to the permitted activities list of the B1 or B2 Visa.

If an applicant intends to travel to the United States for both business and pleasure, they can request a B1 B2 Visa. This means they could take part in all allowed activities across both visas without facing deportation.

B1/B2 Visa Requirements

The main requirement for a B1 B2 Visa is to be travelling to the United States for business or travel.

There are no strict financial requirements for this visa, which means people on a low income could be approved. However, it is necessary to provide evidence of sufficient funds for the proposed trip to the United States. This can be given in the form of bank statements and proof of assets.

Having a clean criminal record is desirable. There are situations in which applicants will be accepted despite not meeting this Tourist Visa USA requirement. Yet, there is always a much higher risk of rejection for people with a criminal record. Anyone who has been convicted for an offense risks being permanently ineligible for any US Visa without a waiver ineligibility.

B1/B2 Visa Cost

There is one fee associated with the Visitor Visa: the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee. The nonrefundable cost is $185 and applicants must pay this to the Visa Appointment Service.

For anyone who would like to renew their nonimmigrant Tourist Visas, there will be a fee of $185.

Both of these costs can be paid via debit card, credit card or cash.

How Long Does it Take to Get a B1/B2 Visa?

The average time to obtain a B1/B2 Visa from Nigeria varies significantly for a number of reasons such as:

• The time it takes to fill out the application
• Waiting times for interviews (if applicable)
• Administration delays

This means people should apply for the B1 B2 Visa well in advance of visiting the United States as waiting times for interviews can add several months to processing times.

Individuals with an urgent need to get to the United States due to medical or humanitarian reasons can request an emergency USCIS appointment. Processing times would still be the same, but the interview would be brought forwards.

If you cannot get an emergency appointment but you still want to speed up the process, you can hire an immigration lawyer from IAS on +2342013306361 or +44 (0) 3316300929. We cannot control processing times, but we can prepare your application as efficiently as possible to prevent any unnecessary delays.

How Long Can You Stay in the United States on a B1/B2 Visa?

Nigerian citizens can visit the US for up to 6 months at a time according to B1 B2 Visa rules. Individuals who wish to extend their stay after 6 months can make an application for a Visitor Visa renewal.

Certain people may be eligible for the No-Interview Visa Renewal criteria, meaning they don’t have to schedule an interview in order to obtain a new visa. This may apply if you have any of the following:

• Physical presence in Nigeria
• No history of illegal immigration in the US
• Absence of a criminal record
• Current or previous ownership of a B1 B2 Visa that was issued in Nigeria

Anyone who stays in the US past the end date of their B Visa is considered unlawfully present. The longer they stay in the country without legal immigration status, the higher the risk they will be banned from re-entering (either temporarily or permanently). Certain people will not face this consequence, including:

• Victims of domestic violence whose illegal presence is linked to the violence and who have submitted a claim under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
• Under-18s
• Beneficiaries of the Family Unity programme
• Asylum applicants
• Survivors of severe human trafficking

Anyone who does not fit this criteria will have their nonimmigrant visa revoked and will have to return to their home country. The best way to avoid this is to make plans to leave the US before the visa expiry date, or to apply for a renewal, leaving enough time for USCIS to decide whether you can remain in the country.

How Many Times Can You Go to the United States with a B1/B2 Visa?

People who plan on visiting the US from Nigeria can make as many visits as they wish. The Visitor Visa is a multiple-entry visa, which means visa holders can leave the US and return without breaking the terms of their visa.

Keep in mind that all nonimmigrant Tourist Visa holders will be questioned at a US port each time they return to the country. This is a way for immigration officers to confirm that people with a Visitor Visa are not taking advantage of their situation by pursuing banned activities e.g., employment.

How to Apply for a B1/B2 Visa

Applying for the First Time

All individuals hoping to obtain a US Visitor Visa can make an application online by submitting Form DS-160. Applicants must be prepared to answer questions relating to their personal information, links to the US, travel plans, family details, employment, education and security.

All applicants will be asked to pay the $185 application fee before submitting the application. They must also attach the following documents:

• Passport-style photograph
• Valid passport
• Any additional supporting documents that are requested (e.g., bank statements, travel insurance)

The final step of the online application is to print the confirmation page with the unique application ID, application barcode and interview confirmation number. With this information, as well as a valid passport, it is possible to schedule an interview at a US Embassy or Consulate in Nigeria.

Applying for a Visa Extension

To extend a US Visitor Visa, Form DS-160 can be submitted a second time. The cost is $185. This time, the applicant must provide a copy of their previous visa, as well as submitting the standard required documents.

The rest of the process is the same. An interview is scheduled and held at a US Embassy or Consulate and the visa is either approved or rejected for renewal. The only difference is that the consular officer may ask slightly different questions. For example, there will be a focus on why the applicant wants to extend their visa.

What Happens at the B1/B2 Visa Interview?

When the time for the interview arrives, it is vital to arrive at least one hour early with all of the requested documents. This includes photographic ID taken within the past six months, a valid passport and application details (ID, barcode and interview confirmation number).

Before the interview, it is necessary to hand over the documents, pass the security check, and agree to have one’s fingerprints collected.

The interview itself is generally a very short discussion with a consular officer about the applicant’s history, personal information and desire to visit the US. All interviews are different as the officer asks some questions pertaining to the specific situation of each interviewee. Preparation is still advised as there are common questions you may be asked such as:

• Why are you travelling between these specific dates?
• What do you plan to do when you visit the US?
• How are you going to fund the cost of visiting the US?
• Have you been to the US before?

After this questioning, most interviewees will be informed whether their visa is going to be approved or rejected. There are certain circumstances in which consular officers need more time to investigate the application, so the interviewee has to return home and await their decision.

What Happens If a B1/B2 Visa is Rejected?

B1 B2 Visa applications, including renewals, can be rejected at any point. This is something to keep in mind throughout the process as it’s important to avoid common mistakes that lead to rejection, such as:

• Submitting the wrong form
• Giving inaccurate or fabricated information
• Not being eligible for the Visitor Visa
• Having a history of unlawful presence in the US
• Not submitting all requested documents
• Having a criminal record

Some people will not be able to apply for a B Visa no matter how strong their application is as they don’t meet the basic eligibility e.g., travelling to the US for the purpose of business or tourism alone.

Submitting an application in this scenario would be unwise, as rejection is guaranteed. Instead, applicants should find a visa that is fitting for them. For instance, a Work Visa may be appropriate if they intend to emigrate to the US for employment purposes.

Other mistakes are unrelated to eligibility, and these are the errors that can often be avoided if applicants are knowledgeable about the application process. This includes submitting the right documents and providing accurate information.

Individuals who are rejected by USCIS should find out why the visa was denied. Appeals are not available to Visitor Visa applicants who want another chance at obtaining temporary US residence. However, in some cases, they can re-apply for the nonimmigrant Tourist Visa with a stronger application.

Even diligent applicants can falter in this process as there are many different steps to take. The best way to ensure your application is of the highest quality is to work with an IAS immigration solicitor by calling +2342013306361 or +44 (0) 3316300929. They will warn you of common mistakes and prevent you from falling victim to the complex process of obtaining a visa.

How IAS Can Help

Our team of expert immigration lawyers can boost your chances of B1 B2 Visa approval significantly. Drawing on specialist advice and supportive guidance, they will ensure your application is as strong as possible to allow you to visit the US from Nigeria.

You may have heard of people acquiring a Visitor Visa without an immigration lawyer. While this is sometimes a viable route, it is much more likely to result in failure. Your application is unique, so the potential for errors is high when you do not have access to a professional lawyer trained in Nigerian and US immigration.

Discover the power of our lawyers yourself by reaching out for more information on +2342013306361 or +44 (0) 3316300929.