B1 Visa
If you would like to come to the US for business purposes, you should apply for the B1 Business Visitor Visa. This nonimmigrant permit allows foreign citizens to come to the United States temporarily to do business with US firms and professionals.
To receive assistance with your B1 Visa application, call our lawyers on +1 844 290 6312. They will answer all your questions and guide you through the application process.
Page contents
- What is the B1 Business Visitor Visa?
- What are the eligibility requirements for the B1 Visa?
- How to apply for the B1 Business Visitor Visa?
- What documents to include in the application for the B1 Visa?
- What is the validity of the B1 Business Visitor Visa?
- Can I change the B1 Visa to a Green Card?
- How can IAS help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the B1 Business Visitor Visa?
The B1 Business Visitor Visa is a temporary, nonimmigrant visa intended for individuals who want to visit the US to engage in business activities. You should consider applying for the B1 Visa if you are coming to the US for one of the following reasons:
- To negotiate a contract
- To consult with US partners
- To take part in a business convention or conference
- To discuss planned investment.
These are just some examples of activities that might require you to get the B1 Business Visitor Visa. If you are not sure whether the purpose of your trip to the US qualifies for it, talk to our lawyers. They will assess your eligibility for the B1 Business Visitor Visa. If they determine that it is not the right permit for you, they will tell you what other US visas you can apply for. Sometimes the B2 Tourist Visitor Visa might be enough.
Keep in mind that even though the B1 Business Visitor Visa is intended for business activities, you will not be able to start a new business in the US. You will also not be able to seek employment in the US.
"After my advice session i now know exactly what to do to fill in my visa application. Thank you kate"
Faisal Mubeen
Posted 2 years ago
"We use the OISC training services from the IAS to keep our caseworkers up to date annually. "
Mark Waterworth
Posted 2 years ago
"The IAS immigration team did a fantastic job with the extension of my visa, I've recommended your services."
Melissa Russel
Posted 2 years ago
What are the eligibility requirements for the B1 Visa?
All foreign citizens who want to apply for the B1 Business Visitor Visa have to meet the following requirements:
- Be coming to the US to do business
- Be coming to the US only for a limited period of time
- Have enough funds to support themselves during their stay in the US
- Have business ties with US partners
- Have strong ties in their home country
- Intend to leave the US after their visa expires.
You have to be able to provide evidence showing that you fulfil these criteria. Documents you can use as evidence include return travel tickets, a lease for an apartment in your home country, an employment contract in your home country, and recent financial or bank statements. Preparing a complete portfolio of evidence is an important aspect of applying for US visas. That is why, when doing it, you should seek advice from an expert and hire one of our immigration lawyers.
How to apply for the B1 Business Visitor Visa?
The first step of the application process for the B1 Business Visitor Visa is to file Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. There you will have to provide personal details and background information, as well as state why you want to come to the US. Make sure to keep the confirmation page for the form as you will have to bring it to your visa interview.
After you submit the form, you have to pay the B1 Visa fee of £160. You will not be able to move on to the next stage of the application process until you do it.
Then you have to schedule a visa interview at a US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. If you are aged between 14 and 79, you are required to attend a visa interview. In anticipation of your interview, you should prepare a number of documents that prove your eligibility for the visa.
Finally, the last step of the application process is to attend the visa interview. During the appointment, you will be asked questions designed to verify whether the information you included in your application is true and whether you meet the requirements for the visa.
Usually, you will find out whether your B1 Visa application has been approved on the day of the interview.
What documents to include in the application for the B1 Visa?
When applying for the B1 Business Visitor Visa, in addition to the application form, you have to submit the following documents:
- The confirmation page for Form DS-160
- A valid passport that will not expire for six months after your planned entry to the US
- Letter confirming that you scheduled the visa interview
- Passport size photograph
- Letter explaining what the purpose of your visit to the US is
- Evidence showing that you have enough finances to support yourself during your stay in the US
- Proof of not having a criminal record
- Details of any past visits to the US.
Additionally, if you are coming to the US to represent a company you work for, you have to submit a letter from your employer explaining what your position is and what your tasks in the US will be. If you fail to include some of the required documents, your application might be delayed. To avoid that, hire one of our immigration lawyers. They will help you ensure that you submitted everything that USCIS might need.
What is the validity of the B1 Business Visitor Visa?
The B1 Business Visitor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa, which means that its holders can only stay in the US for a limited period of time. The initial validity of the B1 Business Visa is six months. During this time, you should finish business activities in the US.
Nevertheless, if you need more time to complete them, you can apply for an extension of the B1 Visa. To be able to receive it, however, you will have to provide proof showing that you need to stay in the US longer to do business. If you are representing a company, you will also have to submit a letter from your employer explaining that is it important for the company that you spend more time in the US.
If your application for the extension is approved, you will be able to stay in the US for an additional period of six months. Keep in mind that the maximum validity of the B1 Business Visitor Visa is one year.
You have to apply for an extension before your first B1 visa expires. If you fail to do so, you will have to leave the US.
Can I change the B1 Visa to a Green Card?
Some US visas give foreign citizens the chance to adjust their nonimmigrant status and apply to become lawful permanent residents in the US. These visas, known as dual intent visas, allow them to enter the country as nonimmigrants but with the possible intention of immigrating to the US permanently.
Unfortunately, the B1 Business Visitor Visa is not one of them. The B1 Visa is a nonimmigrant permit so its holders must leave the US when their visa validity comes to an end.
The application process for the B1 Visa requires you to demonstrate your intention of coming back to your home country after your visa expires. If you do not have sufficient ties that will make you go back there, you might not be granted the visa.
That said, it is not possible to change the B1 Business Visitor Visa to a Green Card.
If you are thinking of immigrating to the US permanently, you could, for example, apply for the EB2 Visa intended for foreign workers with exceptional ability. Contact our immigration lawyers and they will assess your eligibility for various US visas and will tell you which one would be the best option for you.
How can IAS help?
Applying for US visas, including the B1 Business Visitor Visa, can be complex as there are many forms and documents that need to be submitted.
Here at IAS, our lawyers have expert knowledge of the US immigration system and they have helped many clients successfully apply for various US visas.
Before you submit your application for the B1 Business Visitor Visa, it is important that you verify whether it is the most appropriate visa for your circumstances. If you hire one of our immigration lawyers, they will assess your eligibility for the B1 Visa and will help you submit your application.
They will always be around to answer any questions and clear any doubts you might have.
Your immigration lawyer will also help you gather and put together documents that prove your eligibility for the B1 Visa. If you fail to submit an extensive portfolio of evidence, your application for the B1 Business Visitor Visa might be rejected.
To find out more about how our immigration services can help, call us today on +1 844 290 6312.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
With our untimed Advice Session, our professional immigration lawyers will review your case and provide you with comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated caseworker will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your legal advisor will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, if you receive the B1 Visa, your loved ones will not be able to come to the US with you as your dependents. Nevertheless, they can apply for their own US visa, such as the B2 Tourist Visitor Visa, and come visit you in the US.
If they do that, the main purpose of their trip to the US has to be for tourism purposes. They will not have the right to work and study in the US.
If you want to apply for the B1 Business Visitor Visa, you have to be prepared to pay $160 for the application fee. This cost is non-refundable even if your visa is not granted. That is why you should hire an immigration lawyer and make sure there are no mistakes in your application.
Depending on where you come from, sometimes you might also have to pay an additional visa issuance fee. Not all applicants have to pay them, however, so you should check country-specific information before you submit your visa application.
The visa interview is the last step of the application process for the B1 Visa. All applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 have to attend it. To take part in the interview, you will have to go to the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
The goal of the interview is to determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements for the visa and whether the information you included in the application is true. During the interview, you will also have to demonstrate your intent to return to your home country after your visa expires.
You will not receive your B1 Visa until you attend your visa interview.
The B1 Business Visitor Visa is intended for those who want to come to the US to take part in business activities. That means it should be used primarily for business travellers. Once you are in the US on the B1 Visa you can travel around the country. Nevertheless, if you want to come to the US primarily for tourism or leisure purposes, you should apply for the B2 Tourist Visa instead.
If you come to the US on the B1 Visa you are allowed to do business and participate in activities such as negotiating a contract or consulting with US partners. Nevertheless, you are not permitted to start a new business in the US, accept employment, study, or engage in performance that you receive payment for. You are also not allowed to work as a journalist. If you would like to come to the US to report for a foreign audience, you have to apply for the I Visa for Members of the Foreign Press, and Radio.
You should also be aware of the fact that the B1 Visa is a nonimmigrant permit so if you hold it you cannot apply for permanent residency in the US.
EVUS is the online system used by nationals of China holding a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 (visitor) visa periodically to update basic biographic information to facilitate their travel to the United States. In addition to a valid visa, such travellers will be required to complete an EVUS enrolment to be admitted into the United States.
You may be eligible for the visa waiver program if you’re planning on being in the United States for less than 90 days and meet the US government’s specific requirements.
If your trip is business related as a part of a media organization, or if you’re travelling to meet business associates, you will not be eligible for the VWP.