Visa Information

B-1 Business Visa

The B-1 Visitor for Business visa classification may be used by scholars coming to the United States for temporary stays (generally less than six months) to participate in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions/conferences, or to undertake independent research. 

Useful links about B-1 Visa

   1. B-1 Visa - General Information from Texas A&M University

   2. B-1 Visa - Official web site of INS

B-1 Visa - Top questions

What benefits can be obtained from a B-1 Visa?
Millions of foreign visitors travel to the United States each year for business or pleasure. They come as tourists or to visit family and friends. Others come for specific purposes, such as business, scientific, educational, or professional conferences/conventions, training, or consulting with business associates. Most of these visitors need B-1/B-2 visitor visas to enter the United States. The visitor visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2).

How to obtain your visitors visa?
All visitor visa applicants must have these things:
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-156, completed and signed
- Current, valid passport or travel document
- Photograph (2 x 2 inches, passport type. See the internet address below.)
- Application fees. All applicants must pay the application fee. Some applicants, according to nationality and type of visa, must also pay an issuance fee
- Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States
- Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad
- Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-157, for men between 16-45 years of age, and for all applicants age 16 and over who are from Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Note that a consular officer may ask any applicant to complete this form.
Contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for specific information on: - How to pay fees
- How to get an appointment for an interview
- Visa operations at the embassy or consulate - Information on the status of your visa application

What happened after 9/11?
Recent changes in United States visa policy and procedures may increase the amount of time it takes for foreigners who want to visit, to obtain a visa. It is important to apply early!

Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 involve extensive and ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national security. For many applicants, a personal appearance interview is required as a standard part of visa processing. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. This can cause longer processing times . The State Department is working hard with other government agencies to streamline clearance procedures in ways that continue to protect United States borders, our first priority, while facilitating legitimate travel.

How long does it take to get a visa?
Processing times are difficult to predict for an individual applicant. For many applicants, a personal appearance interview is required as a standard part of visa processing. For travelers, the need for an interview will mean additional coordination with the embassy or consulate, is required to schedule an interview appointment. If additional processing is needed, visa applicants are informed at the time they submit their applications. While most additional processing takes 30 days or less, a small percentage may take considerably longer.

Advance planning is a key ingredient for successfully having your visa when you want it. If you wish to visit the U.S., plan to submit your visa application well in advance of your departure date.

What are the requirements to obtain a B-1 visa?
Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:
-The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
-They plan to remain for a specific, limited period; and
-They have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

Are citizens from all countries required to obtain a B-1 visa from a U.S. embassy to enter the United States as a visitor for business?
Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain a B-1 visa from a U.S. embassy to enter the U.S. as a visitor for business. Nationals of twenty-severcountries do not need to obtain B-visas for business or tourist visits to the United States of ninety days or less.

Important Notices: Machine-readable passports (MRP) - Starting October 26, 2004, visa waiver travelers from ALL 27 Visa Waiver Program countries must present either a machine-readable passport or a U.S. visa.

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