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B1 Visa for Nigerians

The B1 Visa can help Nigerians temporarily visit the USA for work. If your company requires you to stay in the United States during your contract, you should apply for a B1 visa. Knowing the visa conditions can help you to submit a successful application and carry out certain business responsibilities.

If you need assistance during the application process or struggle to understand the requirements, contact our friendly and helpful team of immigration lawyers at IAS. Call us today at +2342013438882 or on +44 (0) 331630092 to access expert advice throughout the application process. Or make an enquiry online.

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    Immigration Advice Service Nigeria

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    3rd Floor, Insurers House.
    42 Saka Tinubu,
    Victorial Island,
    Lagos, Nigeria

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    Wisdom German
    07:10 08 May 25
    Oluwatosin Wura
    22:56 06 Feb 25
    After my first refusal, My husband contacted IAS and was assigned to Agnes, I am extremely satisfied with my visa application experience with Agnes. The efficiency, clarity, and helpfulness of Agnes made what could have been a stressful process surprisingly smooth. I would highly recommend this visa application service to anyone looking to travel abroad.
    Biyi Benjamin
    12:38 06 Sep 24
    IAS has been fantastic through out my entire right of abode visa process up until my British passport collection. Special thanks to the Immigration lawyer assigned to my case, Agnes Tunde-Olowu for her professionalism and expert advice.I highly recommend Agnes and IAS for your immigration services
    JIBRIN ALIYU MAJI
    10:46 28 Aug 24
    Ias has been absolutely fantastic in helping me engaging with my university communications has been clear and efficient at all times giving regular update and prompt respond of quarries. I am very pleased with Agnes and Osamede and would definitely use their services again and I strongly recommend them to anyone who may require their services.
    Reladome Limited
    15:54 07 Aug 24
    Expert immigration lawyers. Agnes (my immigration lawyer) was extremely helpful and professional throughout the review process. I’m very glad she handled my case. I will definitely be using their service again in the future!
    Kay Salami
    15:57 04 Aug 24
    When my wife and I were denied a UK visa because of a flimsy reason, we consulted IAS who looked into our case, they advised us and followed through every step of the appeal till we got our visa. They are Tested and trusted I assure you.
    Samuel Og
    09:43 03 Aug 24
    My experience with IAS has been superb, most especially the Immigration lawyer assigned to my case, Agnes Tunde-Olowu. My cousins have just obtained their Biometric Residence Permit UK, and honestly this credit goes to her professional insight and skills. Agnes listened to our case and gave us the perfect advices on which visa application to go for. Praises also goes to how she handled the application, liasing with the home office to check our status and communicating with us, the next step to take.I highly recommend IAS and Agnes if you’re looking for an expert to handle your immigration case with professional advice.
    Modupe Rotimi
    08:15 02 Aug 24
    After my initial conversation with IAS UK, I paid and booked an appointment and fortunately, my appointment was with Agnes Oghogho. She was very attentive and professional, she asked all the relevant questions, and she advised that I applied for a Certificate of Entitlement to right of abode. She gave me a huge discount. She was hard on me during the compilation of all the necessary documents – all in a good way and to ensure success-Fastforward to June 22, 2024, I was called to come and pick my Passport at the Visa application center and I got my Certificate of Entitlement to right of abode stamp.Thank you ma’am. Thank you indeed. MO

    Benefits of Choosing IAS USA Immigration Lawyers

    When it comes to obtaining a USA visa or permit, IAS USA immigration lawyers are well-equipped to help you.

    With IAS’s track record of successfully helping clients visit or immigrate to the United States, we can help businesses and individuals achieve their goals.

    Our dedicated immigration lawyers provide our services through a comprehensive and personalised approach. With IAS, you enjoy:

    Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

    Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

    Confidence that your case is being handled by an experienced team.

    In-house document checks done by lawyers who are well-versed in US immigration matters.

    Regardless of what your USA immigration query might be, IAS is here to help and support you. Call us or enquire online to learn more about how we can help you.

    Services we Provide

    Want to apply for a B1 Visa from Nigeria?

    We can help to reduce the risk of visa refusal, ensuring your application portfolio is strong. Our expert team will help you to understand the B1 visa and your eligibility.

    Allow us to unburden you and make your planned business in the US as straightforward as possible.

    Nigerian Emigration

    For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +44 (0) 3316300929 or +2342013438882

    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

    Overview of the B1 Visa for Nigerians

    If you are travelling from Nigeria to the United States for business, you might think that you need a Visitor Visa. However, the Visitor Visa does not grant you the right to conduct business in the United States. The B1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows you to perform temporary business-related duties in the US.

    The B1 Visa can only be granted for a short period of time and only allows holders to travel to the US for specific business purposes.

    If you are unclear if your upcoming business trip meets the B1 criteria then reach out to an immigration expert to guide you on ensuring the B1 Visa is the right option for you.

    Eligibility Requirements for the B1 Visa for Nigerians

    To travel to the United States under a B1 Visa, you must work in an eligible field. You are allowed to visit the US for consultations, litigation, contract negotiation, or participation in scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions.

    You will not be able to use the B1 Visa for Nigerians if you plan on operating a business or consultancy from the U.S. The visa does not cover matters of gainful employment.

    Some of the business purposes covered by the B1 Visa include:

    • Selling – you can travel to the United States to set up a temporary exhibition, booth, or promotional sales scheme. You require a H2 Visa, however, to take orders or sell products.
    • Service engineering – if you have specialized knowledge, you can travel to the US to install, repair, or replace industrial equipment or perform service engineering duties.
    • Speaker or lecturer – so long as your payment comes from your home country and not a US source, you can visit the U.S. under a B1 Visa to perform lectures. You mustn’t accept payment from the US entity in the 6 months prior to your application, and you can only engage in these activities for more than 9 days.
    • Business venture – you may survey areas for a potential site or business using the B1 Visa.
    • Conference – you can visit the U.S. for a conference so long as you spend no longer than 9 days at a single institution. You cannot receive payment from a U.S. source for the conference, and you cannot receive payment from the institution in the 6 months prior to the conference.
    • Research – you can use a B1 Visa to perform research that does not benefit a U.S. institution and if you will not receive payment from any U.S. entity.
    • Medical elective – you are permitted to use the B1 Visa to study an elective clerkship at a U.S. medical hospital.
    • Voluntary work – if you can prove your membership to a non-profit or religious charitable organisation, you can visit the U.S. to carry out charitable works.
    • Working on the outer continental shelf – you can use the B1 Visa to work on the outer continental shelf, but you will be required to provide a letter from the U.S. Coastguard.

    Documents Required for the B1 Visa for Nigerians

    When applying for a B1 Visa, it is best to prepare the required documents beforehand. Here are the documents you need to apply for a B1 Visa:

    • Confirmation of a completed DS-160 form
    • Appointment for interview confirmation page
    • Passport or other travel document
    • One 5×5 colour photograph taken in the last 6 months
    • Evidence of previous U.S. visas and visa applications
    • Evidence of your intended business in the United States (letter from your employer, or equivalent evidence)
    • Evidence of your criminal history
    • Evidence of your medical status from a medical evaluation
    • Documents relating to any previous deportations or removals from the U.S
    • Proof of your financial capacity to cover your travel expenses (bank statement, payslips)
    • Your home address to which you intend to return following your trip to the U.S

    If you need assistance in preparing your document portfolio, you can rely on our experienced immigration lawyers here at IAS. Our team can help you to prepare sufficient evidence for your financial capacity and check your employer letter. We can also advise you on how to obtain medical and criminal record checks.

    How To Apply for a B1 Visa for Nigerians

    To apply for a B1 Visa, you must take the following steps:

    1. Complete a DS-160 form – you can complete this form online
    2. Pay the application fee
    3. Schedule your appointment for interview – to schedule your appointment, you’ll need the following items:
      • Your passport number
      • The CGI number from your visa fee payment confirmation
      • The 10 digit number from your DS-160 completion page
    4. Visit the U.S. Embassy for your appointment – you must bring your appointment confirmation letter, DS-160 confirmation letter, a photograph taken in the last 6 months, and your existing and previous passports. You must also bring your supporting documents to the interview, including the letter from your employer

    You should provide certified translated English copies of any of the required documents you bring with you. The U.S. consulate in Nigeria is in Lagos, at Victoria Island.

    B1 Visa Interview Process

    Here are some of the questions you should prepare for in your B1 Visa interview:

    • Questions about your intended stay in the U.S
    • Questions regarding your life in your home country
    • Your immigration background
    • Corroborating information provided in your visa application

    You must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment. If you are late, your appointment will be cancelled. Your appointment will last between 2 and 3 hours.

    The interview portion with the consulate officer will only last 5-15 minutes. For the rest of your appointment, the clerks will be making copies of your documents and performing data entry. Your fingerprints will be scanned during the interview process.

    If you need assistance preparing your application portfolio or understanding how to answer the interview questions, you might benefit from legal assistance. Our immigration lawyers here at IAS can help you to prepare your application documents and help you prepare for the interview.

    Let us help you avoid any pitfalls in the B1 visa application process.

    Processing Time and Cost of B1 Visa

    Your B1 Visa will take between a couple of weeks and 2 months to process. In recent years, it has been taking longer to process B1 Visas due to increased demand.

    The application fee for a B1 Visa is $185. You must be prepared to pay this amount before beginning the application process. In most cases, visa fees are non refundable if your application is refused.

    B1 Visa Validity & Renewal

    Each B1 Visa is assessed based on your circumstances. When you enter the United States, you will have an allotted amount of time for your duties and tasks. You can re-enter the country as many times as needed during this time, as it is a multi-entry visa. The maximum validity for a B1 Visa is 6 months.

    You can renew your B1 Visa if you have genuine grounds to remain in the U.S. for business. To do this, you will need to pay the fee and fill out form I-529. You must apply for an extension before your B1 Visa expires.

    The extension you can access depends on the nature of the business you must carry out in the United States, but cannot be above 6 months. You are not required to attend a second embassy interview during the reapplication process, but you must apply from your home country. There is a limit to how many times you can renew the visa, as you can only use it to stay in the US for 1 year maximum.

    Can I Bring Family with Me on a B1 Visa?

    If your partner, spouse, family member, or business partner wishes to accompany you to stay in the US, they can join you by applying for a B2 Visa. The B2 Visa is a visitor visa that allows your partner to live with you during your time in the United States. They cannot work in the United States under the B2 Visa and must not remain in the US once the B1 Visa holder has returned to Nigeria.

    Can I Apply for a Green Card under a B1 Visa?

    No, you are not allowed to apply for a Green Card under a B1 Visa unless unexpected conditions apply. If the following conditions apply, you can apply for a Green Card under a B1 Visa:

    • You have married a US citizen
    • You have acquired a new job and the employer is willing to sponsor you
    • You have family members in the US and wish to join them

    Unless you are married to a US citizen, or have an unexpected employment opportunity, you must return home to apply for your Green Card.

    Our expert lawyers are well versed in the intricacies of applying for the B1 visa. Let us guide you through the application.

    How Can IAS Help?

    When you are applying for a B1 Visa, you need to have supporting documents and evidence of your planned activities in the United States. Knowing which evidence to provide, and how to strengthen your case can be challenging.

    At IAS, we offer support for various Nigerian visa applicants. We have extensive knowledge of immigration law which allows us to support and assist in your visa application.

    We can help you every step of the way, from understanding how to fill out the DS-160 form to preparing you for your visa interview. We can also provide you with a letter of endorsement to strengthen your case and increase the likelihood of success.

    Contact our team at IAS today to begin your application process, backed by a wealth of immigration expertise. You can message us online or reach us at +44 (0) 3316300929 or +2342013438882.

    We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at our Lagos office, all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    There are plans available for both single and multi-trip B1 visas. Investing in a healthcare plan will help you to avoid significant expenses should you have any health complications during your travels.

    A B1 Visa gives you the right to live in the United States for a business trip. A B2 Visa, on the other hand, is for visitation. You cannot work in the US under a B2 Visa.

    If you wish to work in the US as an immigrant, you require a work permit. A B1 visa is only designed for temporary work under 6 months, and only covers work funded by a non-US entity.

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